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USA fight back in final race to spark hopes of another America's Cup comeback against New Zealand
Oracle Team USA produced a battling performance to win the final race on day three of their America's Cup match against Emirates Team New Zealand and offer hope of another remarkable comeback.
The USA's victory means that New Zealand now lead 4-1 in the first to seven series, after the Kiwis had won the day's first race by a resounding margin.
More to follow...
See you tomorrow
Same time, same place. Stay tuned for race reports.
"It's good to see they're giving us a battle"
Oracle Team USA skipper Jimmy Spithill:
That was exactly what the boys needed. We fought hard and kept our composure even though we lost the lead.
That was a good improvement today. Another step forward tomorrow would be great.
We worked very hard over the past five days. We did a lot of work on the shore and a little more tonight with a little improvement in sailing technique and I'm confident we can pick up a couple more wins tomorrow.
Emirates Team New Zealand helmsman Peter Burling:
It's great to see those boys sailing a little bit better. We're just excited about the battle ahead. We knew it was going to be hard. We were set up for a battle and it's good to see that they're giving us one.
We felt like we sailed really well, there was just a wind shift that worked in their favour. We're happy to walk away from today with a win.
Sir Ben Ainslie on BT Sport
We know that they [Oracle] went away and made a lot of changes to the boat. They were matching the Kiwis on the upwind legs, which we haven't seen until now. It was to the detriment of their boat's handling and they were right on the edge. But they managed to pull it off in that last race, with plenty of close racing and passing, which is exactly what we want to see.
I think Oracle will know that they haven't sailed as well as they can do, and Jimmy hasn't been great at the starts, which he is normally famed for. But they kept fighting and got it right in that last race.
If they'd lost that it would have been very difficult to see them coming back from that. but that will give them hope. if they can execute starts and get tactics and manoeuvres right, they'll take a lot from that.
I think NZ will be slightly concerned by Oracle's performance in the upwind legs. But they will also know they have a great team and are sailing well. They just have to hold it together. From the outside they look like they're level headed.
USA WIN
Does the comeback start here?
Final leg
Oracle maintaining their lead at 200 metres down the final straight. Clinging on to this race and their America's Cup hopes.
USA lead by 200 metres
But this is far from over.
Here's how things look as the teams round gate 6.
USA take the lead
Aggressive tactics from Spithill forcing Burling to take evasive action, upsetting their course around the fifth mark. Speed lost, and the Americans retake the lead.
This is proper racing now.
Protest from the USA
Americans went very deep on their dial-down. No penalty. Some close quarters racing at last.
We'll go again...
NZ take the lead at gate 4
Oracle just completely overshot towards the boundary mark prior to their penultimate gybe of that leg, once again adding distance and losing valuable time. It completely wiped out their lead and now the Kiwis have a 50 metre lead.
As the graphic below will show:
VMG, by the way, is a boat's velocity relative to its direction.
USA 200 metres ahead on leg 4
"They will have to sail the perfect race to keep the Kiwis behind them," says Land Rover BAR's Freddie Carr on commentary. "But so far so good."
Carr suggests Spithill's sloppy gybes could be down to him still getting used to the changes to his boat's setup.
"They look a little bit sticky in their light-air gybes," he says.
USA maintain lead around second mark
The Americans look unstable when tacking and gybing. Just what Spithill has been fearful of.
They remain ahead, but boy is it marginal.
USA with the early lead
Spithill trying to get an overlap underneath New Zealand. The hook is on. Burling gets around the front of him, though, and fends off the manoeuvre.
Both boats across the line cleanly. USA up on their foils first and they're ahead towards mark 1.
Pre-start of race 6 under way
Here we go again. New Zealand with port entry.
New Zealand's winning moment
Another day, another victory in #AmericasCup for @EmiratesTeamNZ... ���� pic.twitter.com/Fwwj8AqmAx
— BT Sport (@btsport) June 24, 2017
Wind speeds dropping
It's down to 9 knots at present, the range in which the Kiwis have been most potent.
This is how Oracle Team USA have reported on the race:
In the pre-start to race five, both boats were early back to the line with time to kill. Spithill, set up to windward, put his bow down to accelerate just a fraction early and was judged early to the start, ceding a penalty and rounding mark one three seconds behind.
At the first gate, the gap was still close, with Oracle Team USA following Emirates Team New Zealand around the mark just five seconds back.
An early tack on the first upwind put Spithill and Slingsby to the right and when both boats tacked to converge, Oracle Team USA made a pass on the dial-down, switching sides.
The next cross saw an aggressive dial-down by the starboard tack Team New Zealand. Although Spithill kept clear, the Umpires assessed a penalty – the second of the match against the American defender – and after Oracle Team USA paid off the distance penalty, the Kiwis had sped off to a winning margin to take a 4-0 lead in the series.
"No speed for free"
Spithill admitting the Americans have sacrificed some manoeuvrability for speed, explaining a few splashdowns and clumsy gybes during that last race.
There is no speed for free, so we are on edge a little bit more.
I thought the boat was going pretty. We had a few issues - the pre-start was obviously frustrating and then we picked up a pen that we were very surprised with.
The good news is that the boat was going well. I think we can win this next race. We've got the speed.
New Zealand helmsman Peter Burling
We approached it just how we approached any other race. It's a great boat, it's great that we've got that little bit quicker. That really showed today.
Race summary
Clare Balding says it was a "much, much more competitive race". The winning margin says otherwise, but she is right to an extent.
Last weekend, Oracle didn't do too much wrong, New Zealand were simply faster. But the USA definitely looked quicker at the start of this race and it was unenforced errors that ultimately cost them. If they can eradicate those, they might have a chance.
NEW ZEALAND WIN
They have powered into a 4-0 lead in this final. They need just three more race wins.
What can the USA do? Not make as many mistakes, for one.
Big lead for New Zealand
A long way back for the Americans. The Kiwis approaching the final stretch now. Burling looking in total control, as ever.
Oracle, in contrast, look to be crumbling. A bad gybe and they slow to a crawl.
A familiar look to proceedings
Kiwis lead out to 400 metres now. Desperate times for the USA.
USA can't make that many mistakes and win. Speed looks better. Big holes in the wind out here.
— Paul Cayard (@CayardSailing) June 24, 2017
Just an illustration of how costly that extra tack was, adding distance to the USA's leg:
New Zealand stretch their lead
Here's how it looks as we approach the fourth gate.
The Americans then get their angles wrong and have to complete an extra tack to get around the mark, which elongates their course and loses valuable time.
Penalty against USA
Their second of the race. The Kiwis go for the dial down and protest to the race umpire that the Americans did not give way. Their appeal is upheld, so Oracle have to drop back another two boat lengths.
At least we have some proper racing.
USA edge ahead
That's the first time they've overtaken the New Zealanders in five races. They look much, much sharper.
Game on.
Race 5, and you can almost taste the salt @OracleTeamUSA vs @EmiratesTeamNZpic.twitter.com/G7ShJfoHcN
— America's Cup (@americascup) June 24, 2017
Oracle keep in touch
That's how things stand as the teams round the second gate.
Encouragingly for Oracle, they're still in touch. By this stage in last week's racing, New Zealand had already opened out a substantial lead
Penalty against USA
Both teams approaching the starting line early, much like last week. Oracle cutting it very, very fine here. PENALTY! They've jumped the gun again, just like the first race last Saturday.
Twice bitten.
Absolutely the last thing Spithill would have wanted. He will immediately have to drop back two boat lengths.
Pre-start under way
The Americans have port entry. Spithill struggled with his pre-starts last weekend. He needs to take the upper hand out of the starting blocks today.
Jimmy Spithill has strapping on his lower arm
"We had a little crash yesterday," says Spithill, shrugging it off a la Monty Python's Black Knight.
He also says he thinks the team has "taken some good steps forward" and are looking to "put them into play".
Peter Burling also sounds content with his team's work this week:
"Nothing changes for us, we're still just trying to make the boat go faster. We're happy with the week we've had. We've tidied up a few things and are excited to get back out there," says the Kiwi helmsman.
"Conditions are slightly different today. The wind is a similar strength but blowing in the opposite direction."
"Don't write Oracle off"
Are the USA still in contention? America's Cup CEO and multiple winner Sir Russell Coutts' has his say:
Less than 30 minutes until race time! Russell Coutts shares insight on @emiratesteamnz, @oracleteamusa & what the future holds. #AmericasCuppic.twitter.com/0nCcQUdRDJ
— America's Cup (@americascup) June 24, 2017
Wind stronger than forecast
To explain the graphic below, it is currently 1.50pm in Bermuda (local time). So the forecast seems to be a bit out. The wind is currently blowing at 12-15 knots, substantially stronger than expected. Hopefully racing should be able to take place uninhibited by the elements.
It might offer a smidgen of hope for the Americans, too. Last weekend racing was largely fought out in light to medium winds, so the stronger the better, as far as Spithill is concerned.
Will they run away with it?
This is the back page of Bermuda's Royal Gazette:
Waiting to see if @EmiratesTeamNZ dominance will continue in @Bermuda. Final weekend of @americascup. #AC35pic.twitter.com/2IStndZK7n
— Tony Husband (@TonyHusbandBBC) June 24, 2017
New Zealand have already registered a great sporting triumph today - the All Blacks beating the Lions 30-15 this morning. Except, for the sports mad Kiwi nation, that was last night. In the intervening period they have gone to bed and the most dedicated sailing fans will now be awakening bleary-eyed to cheer on Peter Burling and his men.
It's around 4.40am in New Zealand right now, but believe me, they will be watching. They go nuts for this.
I have no idea what is going on anymore
Bermuda wind stronger than forecast suggested - should make for interesting racing! USA desperate to fight back vs dominant NZ #AmericasCup
— Clare Balding (@clarebalding) June 24, 2017
Wind watch revisited
The update from the regatta's morning briefing is that the forecast has been reduced. Race director Iain Murray talking down the winds, saying we're looking at below 8 knots and potential delays.
Please, don't put me through this again.
Wind watch
Wind speed forecast for today's racing is between 9 and 11 knots, so not dissimilar to the conditions we had last Sunday. Good news for the New Zealanders, you would think.
Racing begins in just under an hour.
Have Oracle Team USA managed to get their act together?
It's often said that a week is a long time in sport, but the Americans might feel like a week is just not long enough in their case. They will have desperately been tweaking and testing their boat's setup since last weekend, but the Kiwis' domination of the first four races was total; it will take some turnaround in performance from Jimmy Spithill's men to reverse that trend, even by their standards.
In the meantime, how about some melodrama feat. JFK:
"At the moment of truth, there are either reasons or results." - Chuck Yeager#OracleTeamUSA
Words by John F. Kennedy pic.twitter.com/3BIWFiXpx3— ORACLE TEAM USA (@OracleTeamUSA) June 24, 2017
Someone fetch me a bucket.
Welcome back
This is it then. The last legs, the final countdown. Four days of racing scheduled from Saturday through Tuesday - if it hasn't been decided by then - and the 35th America's Cup winner will be crowned at long last.
Preview
What is it?
Day three of the America's Cup final match between Emirates Team New Zealand and Oracle Team USA.
New Zealand are currently 3-0 up in the first to seven series.
When is it?
The first race starts at 6.12pm UK time.
How can I watch it?
As always, Clare Balding hosts BT Sport 1's coverage, which starts at 5.30pm. Alternatively, you can follow all the live action on this blog.
Remind me, what on earth is this all about?
This whole thing has been rumbling on for a while now. The America's Cup started back in May and we spun through qualification, challenger playoff semi-finals and a challenger playoff final to reach this point. And that's without the America's Cup World Series - a preliminary tournament to decide seeding - which started in 2015(!).
It's all much more straightforward from now on in. The final between New Zealand and the USA started last weekend, we've had a five-day break, and now we're back on the water. New Zealand require four more victories to seal the America's Cup; the USA need seven. Two races are scheduled for today, Sunday, Monday, with the potential for three on Tuesday if need be.
At present, things are looking bleak for the USA. New Zealand dominated racing last weekend winning all four races by comfortable margins - the Kiwis started with a one-point deficit because the USA came first in the America's Cup qualifying event earlier this month, but let's try not to complicate matters yet further.
Can the USA fight back?
Yes. History is testament to that. The USA were 8-1 down in a first to nine series against New Zealand in the last America's Cup match in 2013, before launching one of sport's greatest ever comebacks to win 9-8. Skipper Jimmy Spithill, tactician Tom Slingsby and wing trimmer Kyle Langford were all part of that victorious crew; they know how it's done.
.@oracleteamusa have come back from much worse than 0-3, no doubt it's going to be an epic battle when racing resumes tomorrow at 2pm ADT! pic.twitter.com/w7YzUIyABB
— America's Cup (@americascup) June 23, 2017
The Americans have also spent five days of rigorous testing to shed any cobwebs that may have held them back last week. Crucially, they may have been able to make refinements to their boat's setup, in particular to the daggerboard and rudder, which could result in significant speed gains. But we will have to wait and see.
On the other hand, even 'significant' gains might not be enough. The USA were absolutely crushed by the Kiwi's superior boat speed and control last weekend and there is only so much room to make tweaks to their boat given the one-design elements to these America's Cup boats.
Nothing has been decided yet, and nothing will be today either, but the New Zealanders' form looks ominous.
What are they saying?
Oracle Team USA skipper Jimmy Spithill:
It is clear we have to find some speed from somewhere, that is no secret. The break is a massive opportunity for us as a team to go away and regroup.
Everything will be put out on the table, nothing will be off limits, and our incredible shore team will be looking at every aspect of our boat.
Nothing will escape our eyes, I can guarantee that. Whether it’s system related, appendage related, sailing technique or strategy, we are going to look at absolutely everything. We feel that with the resources we have here we can make the changes to improve the boat and give us more speed.
We’ve been in a situation like this before and we’ve had less time. We have to respond.
Emirates Team New Zealand helmsman Peter Burling:
We know full well if we stand still, Jimmy (Spithill) and Oracle Team USA will catch us so we have plenty of work still to do.
We’re happy to take those four wins because it is no secret that we are here to win the America’s Cup. We knew to do that we had to win eight races and so we have to keep on battling to ensure that is what we do.
What are the latest odds?
Emirates Team New Zealand 1/6
Oracle Team USA 4/1
