Emirates Team New Zealand on Sunday won the third America’s Cup race, snatching an early lead from defending champion Oracle Team USA.
The victory continues a Cup sweep by the Kiwis, raising to three the number triumphs in battles with Oracle on the San Francisco Bay.
Oracle got a slight jump at the start and boldly crossed ahead of New Zealand at the first marker, drawing the first penalty in 34th America’s Cup racing.
Oracle held its lead on the downwind leg of the race, with tension draining from the face of skipper Jimmy Spithill.
The powerful AC72 catamarans dueled fiercely during the third leg with an exchange of tacks and jibes that ended with New Zealand snatching the lead.
The Kiwis fended off Oracle and built on their lead to cross the finish 28 seconds ahead of the defending champion.
“Those guys came out firing,” said New Zealand skipper Dean Barker. “It was a matter of meters really.”
New Zealand needs six more victories to claim the coveted Cup. Oracle must win 11 races to hold on to their prize, thanks to a two-point penalty imposed before racing began.
Kiwis win third race of America's Cup
