America's Cup racing will resume on Saturday with both Oracle Team USA and Emirates Team New Zealand facing uncertainty in the 12th day of top-notch sailing competition at the picturesque San Francisco Bay.
After 11 pulsating races, America's Cup's precious silverware - the Auld Mug - is surprisingly still up for grabs following a terrific effort by Oracle Team USA to win the last two races, and subsequently, prolong the race-to-nine championship series to another day.
Oracle Team USA has now moved five points behind the Emirates Team New Zealand, 8-3, in the standings. Then again, one lousy start or costly turn could open the gates for the Kiwis to bag their third America's Cup in the island nation's history.
In fact, the Kiwis could have already wrapped the series yesterday after leading by as many as one nautical mile ahead of Oracle Team USA on the first race. However, Emirates Team New Zealand was also one nautical away from the finish line when the 40-minute limit expired, prompting organizers to abandon race.
Unfortunately for them, Oracle came up with a perfect game plan in Friday's second race as the Americans went on to cross the finish line one minute and 24 seconds faster than the Kiwis.
"We felt very lucky, but also felt for the Kiwi guys," said ORACLE TEAM USA tactician Ben Ainslie via America's Cup. "We've all been in a position where you have a hand on the trophy and have to come back and do it all again. We felt fortunate. We've had a rough time so we'll ride our luck with that one."
Emirates tactician Ray Davies also expressed his concern about Oracle's latest surge, but at the same time, he believes the race could end very soon if they only stick with the game-plan this Saturday.
"Luck's a great thing. Luck beats skill every time," said Emirates Team New Zealand tactician Ray Davies at yesterday afternoon's press conference. "The odds are firmly in our favor at the moment. We have to go and execute like the first race (yesterday). We have to go out with the same sort of thinking."
America's Cup Live Stream & Schedule
Race No. 14 of America's Cup 2013 is set to start at 4:15 p.m EST / 1:15 p.m. PST. In case Oracle Team USA wins the first race, Race 15 is slated to begin at 5:15 p.m. EST /2:15 p.m. PST.
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.
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