The 2013 America's Cup Final has now reached the 13th day of racing on San Francisco Bay, making it the longest ever in the event's 162-year history.
Oracle Team USA is putting up a strong fight after winning the last four races to narrow the gap at 8-5. Then again, the Emirates Team New Zealand can wrap it up today with a victory in race No. 16 or 17.
The American dream lives on in the 34th edition of sailing's most prestigious team racing event. After going down 1-8, Oracle has now rallied to make it an 8-5 battle with two more races slated on Monday.
Olympic sailing legend Ben Ainslie has been a revelation for Oracle since he assumed the tactician role a week ago. Ainslie's clever decision-making, along with some modifications in their AC72 boats, helped the Americans overcome the huge lead.
Now, the pressure is on for Emirates Team New Zealand to end their losing skid and finally put an end in what has been a grueling race-to-nine series for both squads.
Emirates skipper Dean Barker admitted that the rival boat has improved a lot since the first week, insisting that Oracle's rise to contention is not a surprise at all.
"It was always going to be a battle. We knew that," Barker said in the pre-race briefing via America's Cup. "Without question they've improved since the first week. We feel like we've improved also, but the game was very, very close and it was always going to be a battle for every point."
ORACLE TEAM USA Crew List
Skipper: Jimmy Spithill (9), Tactician: Ben Ainslie (12), Strategist: Tom Slingsby (10), Wing trimmer: Kyle Langford (8), Jib trimmer: Joe Newton (5), Off-side trimmer: Rome Kirby (4), Grinders: Shannon Falcone (1), Joe Spooner (2), Jono MacBeth (3), Gillo Nobili (6), Simeon Tienpont (7)
Emirates Team New Zealand Crew List
Skipper/helmsman: Dean Barker (14), Tactician: Ray Davies (10), Wing Trimmer: Glenn Ashby (3), Trimmer: James Dagg (9), Bow: Adam Beashel (2), Pit: Jeremy Lomas (8), Pedestal 1: Chris Ward (7), Pedestal 2: Rob Waddell (11), Pedestal 3: Winston MacFarlane (4), Pedestal 4: Chris McAsey (5), Float/Grinder: Derek Saward (12)
America's Cup Live Stream Information
Race No. 16 of America's Cup 2013 is scheduled to start at 4:15 p.m. EST / 1:15 p.m. PST. In case Oracle Team USA wins the initial race, racing will resume with race No.17 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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