BMW Oracle Racing, representing the Golden Gate Yacht Club, won the 33rd America's Cup Match on Sunday (February 14) in Valencia, sweeping past the Swiss defender, Alinghi, to a 2-0 victory.
BMW Oracle Racing's trimaran, 'USA 17', powered by the largest wing sail ever built, proved to be the faster of the two multihulls, overpowering 'Alinghi's' catamaran in both races. Its wing mast has some limited potential for commercial use.
"It was an awesome race. It was touch and go," James Spithill (AUS), the skipper and helmsman of 'USA'. These boats are capable of considerably more than 30 knots.
After a long postponement on Sunday afternoon, racing started at 16:25 in 7-8 knots of wind.
Click here for more details on 'USA'
There was an unusual start to the race, with 'Alinghi' entering the start box very late. In fact, they were on the wrong side of the start box at the five-minute gun, forcing the umpires to assess a penalty.
BMW Oracle Racing started with more speed, but 'Alinghi' held the right hand side of the race course and prospered early when the wind shifted to the right. At one point, the advantage line was as big as 600-metres to the Swiss.
But before the top mark, the BMW Oracle Racing crew made a perfect layline call. After tacking on the line to the mark, BMW Oracle Racing saw 'Alinghi' cross ahead, but cede the inside position at the mark to USA, and that was all the advantage the challenger would need to lead around the mark by 28 seconds.
From then onwards, the powerful USA boat extended its lead, to cross the finishing line ahead by 5.26.
