Oracle Team USA won the America’s Cup in a dramatic race in San Francisco Bay on Wednesday, capping an epic comeback.
The defending champion crossed the finish line 44 seconds ahead of Emirates Team New Zealand, sealing one of the most memorable victories in the cup’s 162-year history.
"Oh man, oh man, what a race™ shouted Oracle’s Australian skipper, Jimmy Spithill. "It was a fantastic race. We wouldn’t have had it any other way."
The result was a devastating blow to the New Zealand team which expected a week ago to take the cup to Auckland after building a seemingly insurmountable early lead.
Emirates New Zealand had led Larry Ellison’s US team by eight wins to one, and needed just one more victory to secure the America’s Cup.
The New Zealand government offered about $30 million in subsidies in hope of bringing the next contest, and its financial spin-offs for tourism, to New Zealand.
"Bugger," tweeted the New Zealand prime minister John Key after the race.
