The America's Cup, after all the thrills and spills in roughly three weeks of intense sailing, is now down to one epic race. Emirates Team New Zealand and Oracle Team USA are now all set for perhaps the greatest moment in yachting. Today, the latest owner of the most coveted silverware in sailing, the Auld Mug, will be determined on the sparkling but treacherous waters of San Francisco Bay.
Trying to fend off the label as the biggest chokers in sailing history, Emirates Team New Zealand and its skipper Dean Barker are expected to give their all in the winners-take-all race. Frustration is certainly on the face of Barker, who gave New Zealand its second America's Cup victory in 2000, but lost in the 2003 and 2007 edition of the event.
Barker and Emirates Team New Zealand were on match point at 8-1 when rival skipper Jimmy Spithill and the Oracle Team USA mounted a comeback for the ages as they racked up wins in the last seven races to arrange the deciding race on Wednesday. Aside from Ben Ainslie's tremendous tactical job, the modifications done on Oracle's AC47 last week proved to be the turning point of the duel. Since then, Oracle has been sensational when it's foiling upwind and proved that again during Tuesday's race No. 18.
"That was the first time that we recognized there was a condition where maybe we aren't as strong as we need to be," Barker told America's Cup. "It's tough. We're doing all we can, the guys never gave up, but clearly the Oracle guys were going well in that stuff."
Wednesday's race will mark the 19th day of racing on San Francisco Bay, making it the longest and most competitive edition of America's Cup. Hours from now, a champion will be crowned and forever be part of sailing greatness.
America's Cup Live Stream Information
The deciding race of America's Cup 2013 is scheduled to start at 4:15 p.m. EST / 1:15 p.m. PST Wednesday. Like in the past two days, sunny weather and a strong breeze are expected. America's Cup races will be broadcasted live on NBC Sports starting 4 p.m. EST/ 1 p.m. PST while international followers can watch livestream coverage and replay of the races on America's Cup's official Youtube Channel.