After winning eight of 11 thrilling races, Emirates Team New Zealand is now on the cusp of bringing back the America's Cup to their own country. However, Oracle Team USA will not back down from the challenge just yet as Jimmy Spithill and his crew look to extend the series to another day.
In an unexpected twist of fate, the Kiwis are now in great position to bag their third America's Cup victory since winning the 1995 and 2000 edition of the great sailing race. With a commanding 8-1 series lead, Emirates Team New Zealand only needs to win either race no. 12 or 13 to seal the deal once for all. On the other hand, Oracle Team USA is trying to become the first team to win the Auld Mug after coming back from an 8-1 hole.
Despite the huge disparity, sailing enthusiasts and experts are still amazed at how the two AC72 boats went head-to-head through the first 11 races. The 34th edition of the Americas Cup has produced three of the closest races ever recorded with Oracle Team USA winning Race 4 by eight seconds and Emirates Team New Zealand winning race Nos. 10 and 11 by just under 16 seconds.
"It's hard to believe that the match would've been this close between two teams with different design concepts," Barker told America's Cup. "Both teams have reacted very well to what they've observed of the other team, and the boats have come together in terms of performance and strengths and weaknesses. It's quite unbelievable that the two boats are so close in performance across a wide range of conditions."
T.V Schedule & Live Stream Information
Race No. 12 of America's Cup 2013 is scheduled to start at 4:15 p.m EST / 1:30 p.m. PST . If Oracle Team USA wins the first race of the day, Race 13 will begin at 5:30 p.m. EST / 2:30 p.m. PST. Wind forecast is expected to be light to moderate for race No.12 while winds will build up for race No. 13.
NBC Sports will cover both races starting 4 p.m. EST/ 1 p.m. PST while International followers can watch the livestream coverage and replay of the races on America's Cup's official Youtube Channel.