Sailing

British yachtsman John Fisher has been declared "lost at sea" by Volvo Ocean Race organisers after he fell overboard during the around-the-world race.

The 47-year-old, a crew member for Team Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag, was reported as having gone overboard Monday, and Richard Brisius, president of the Volvo Ocean Race, provided an update Tuesday via the event's official website:

"This morning I am extremely sad to inform you that one of our sailors, John Fisher, from Team Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag, is now presumed to have been lost at sea. 

"This is heart-breaking for all of us. As sailors and race organisers losing a crew member at sea is a tragedy we don't ever want to contemplate. We are devastated and our thoughts are with John’s family, friends and teammates."

The statement added that Fisher's team conducted "an exhaustive search for several hours in extremely challenging weather conditions, but they were unable to recover their teammate," and the presumption now is "John has been lost at sea."

Per Mary Bowerman of USA Today, he went overboard 1,400 miles west of Cape Horn, Chile.

The Briton was competing for the first time in the Volvo Ocean Race, which began in Alicante, Spain, on Oct. 22 and is set to finish after 45,000 nautical miles in the Hague, Netherlands, in June.

A host of sailing events were decided at the 2016 Rio Games on Tuesday as Giles Scott took gold in the men's finn to give Great Britain their fifth successive Olympic title in the event.

Marit Bouwmeester of the Netherlands claimed success in the women's laser radial as Irish sailor Annalise Murphy captured the silver medal, with Denmark's Anne-Marie Rindom winning the bronze.

Tom Burton of Australia earned top spot in men's laser medal race with 75 points, as Croatian Tonci Stipanovic earned the silver with 73 points and Sam Meech of New Zealand took bronze.

There was victory for Santiago Lange and Cecilia Saroli of Argentina as they won gold in the Nacra 17 Mixed Medal Race, as Jason Waterhouse and Lisa Darmanin of Australia grabbed silver, and Thomas Zajac and Tanya Frank of Austria scooped bronze. 

Here is a look at the latest medals table from Brazil:

Scott Continues Team GB Sailing Run

Scott amassed 53 points across the event as he ran away with the gold, succeeding four-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Ben Ainslie. Slovenian Vasilij Zbogar took silver, 30 points behind the Brit, as American Caleb Paine earned bronze. 

The new champion finished eighth and second in his two efforts on Sunday to take an indisputable 24-point lead into Tuesday's final medal race. Scott then enjoyed his final outing on Tuesday as he earned the top medal.

London 2012 sailing hero Ainslie was the first to congratulate his successor on his victory. Ainslie told BBC South Today (h/t BBC Sport):

It's an amazing achievement for Giles. He really has been totally dominant

To win gold without having to even compete in the medal races is rare.

It's a huge credit to him and his coach Matt Howard. I know how hard they've worked, not only over the last four years, but before as well to get to that point.

I think he's totally dominant in the class right now. I know he wants to pursue other areas in his career, such as the America's Cup.

But it's entirely down to him. He could certainly dominate the class through the next Olympic cycle and further if he chooses to.

Scott had little competition through his pursuit of gold and it was evident early on he would succeed with his quest.

The sailor paid homage to Ainslie with his drive and determination, mimicking the former hero's prowess on the water.

The gold adds to Team GB's success at the 2016 Rio Games as they rack up a glut of medals in South America.

The eyes of the sailing world will be squarely fixed on Portsmouth this weekend, as the America's Cup World Series event heads to the south coast of England.

It’s a competition steeped in tradition and pageantry, with the first running of the event taking place in 1851. Great Britain have never fielded a winning team in the event known among the sport’s cognoscenti as the “Auld Mug,” but legendary sailor Sir Ben Ainslie will be hoping to put that right this time around, with his squad the main attraction at Southsea Common.

Here’s a closer look at what to look out for in Portsmouth during what will be a few thrilling days of racing on the water and all the key viewing details on where to catch the action.

Date	Event	Time
Thursday, July 23	Exhibition Sailing	12:45 p.m.
Friday, July 24	Practice Racing	12:45 p.m.
Saturday, July 25	Fleet Races	1:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 26	Fleet Races	1:30 p.m.

For the full four-day timetable, click here.

Racing can be streamed on the BT Sport website (UK)

Ainslie Hoping to Shine on Home Waters

Back in the 2013 America’s Cup, Ainslie was the catalyst for reigning champions Team Oracle USA’s comeback win against Emirates Team New Zealand. Two years ago, the American team were 8-1 in the final series of races, but drafted in midway through, Ainslie’s astute tactical ability propelled Oracle to a 9-8 victory.

But after the formation of Ben Ainslie Racing, the four-time Olympic champion will be looking to make history for a British team as the buildup continues to the 2017 America’s Cup proper.

This series on the south coast is an ideal opportunity for the participating teams to accrue some points prior to the qualifying beginning in a couple of years' time.

It’s an event the 38-year-old seems to be looking forward to, as he posted the following on his Twitter feed:

Things warming up nicely for the #acwsportsmouth pic.twitter.com/D7pzOMbaZz

— Ben Ainslie (@AinslieBen) July 15, 2015

And that excitement is understandable. Ainslie will be the big favourite to lead his team to victory on familiar waters, and after performing so admirably in 2013, BAR are one to keep an eye out for in the opening days of action.

There will be some stiff competition, though. Oracle will also be in situ, and although the American squad do command a certain aura, without Ainslie it’ll be intriguing to see how they fare as the quest to defend their crown in 2017 begins.

“Ben is a really good guy. You meet him on the shore, and he’s very courteous, well-mannered,” said Orcacle skipper Jimmy Spithill, a man who worked Ainslie during that stunning win in 2013, per Colin Thompson of the Royal Gazette. “On the water, though, you flick a switch. He becomes very, very aggressive, and he gets the results.”

As Spithill revealed on his official Instagram account in the buildup to the Portsmouth showpiece, the American team have been taking no shortcuts in their preparations, either:

Naturally, Emirates Team New Zealand will be desperate to bounce back after losing out in such heartbreaking circumstances four years go. They'll be captained by Glenn Ashby and will be looking to capitalise on an Oracle team that's struggled for their best without Ainslie in situ.

There will also be teams from Sweden, Japan and France who are keen to lay down an early marker, meaning the action should be extremely competitive come the weekend. But expect BAR to taste victory as they begin what will be a longstanding affinity with this illustrious tournament.

The 2014-15 Volvo Ocean Race is nearing the end of its second leg as teams make their way to Abu Dhabi, with Bouwe Bekking leading the chase at the helm of Team Brunel.

It's been two months since the seven teams set off from Alicante, Spain, on their around-the-world trip, scheduled to cross the finishing line in Gothenberg, Sweden, in June 2015.

However, a long and treacherous journey sits between now and that crescendo, replete with hazards which could at any point derail a team's momentum.

		Total Race Distance	38,739 nm
Leg / In-Port Race	From-To	Start	Distance*
In-Port Race	Alicante	October 4, 2014
Leg Start	Alicante-Cape Town	October 11, 2014	6,487 nm
In-Port Race	Cape Town	November 15, 2014
Leg Start	Cape Town-Abu Dhabi	November 19, 2014	6,125 nm
In-Port Race	Abu Dhabi	January 2, 2015
Leg Start	Abu Dhabi-Sanya	January 3, 2015	4,670 nm
In-Port Race	Sanya	February 7, 2015
Leg Start	Sanya-Auckland	February 8, 2015	5,264 nm
In-Port Race	Auckland	March 14, 2015
Leg Start	Auckland-Itajai	March 15, 2015	6,776 nm
In-Port Race	Itajaí	April 18, 2015
Leg Start	Itajai-Newport	April 19, 2015	5,010 nm
In-Port Race	Newport	May 16, 2015
Leg Start	Newport-Lisbon	May 17, 2015	2,800 nm
In-Port Race	Lisbon	June 6, 2015
Leg Start	Lisbon-Lorient	June 7, 2015	647 nm
In-Port Race	Lorient	June 14, 2015
Leg Start	Lorient-Gothenburg	June 16, 2015	960 nm
In-Port Race	Gothenburg	June 27, 2015

Current Standings

The Volvo Ocean Race standings are calculated on a low-point scoring system, where the winner of a leg receives one point, ascending in that fashion with the last-place finisher claiming seven points.

At the end of the race, points are tallied and the team that has managed to amass the fewest points claims the 2014-15 title. Failure to finish a leg is counted as eight points.

Team	Leg 1	Leg 2	Leg 3	Points
Team Brunel	3	1		4
Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing	1	3		4
Dongfeng Race Team	2	2		4
Team Alvimedica	5	5		10
MAPFRE	7	4		11
Team SCA	6	6		12
Team Vestas Wind	4	DNF1	DNS	20

Update—Sunday, Dec. 21

The elite of the Volvo Ocean Race have little more than a week to make full use of their Christmas break before reuniting for the third leg of their round-the-world trip, with Team Brunel leading the chase.

Bouwe Bekking's group are level in the rankings alongside Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing and Dongfeng Race Team after winning the race to Abu Dhabi in Leg 2, each sitting on four points apiece.

Team Brunel's official Twitter account posted a video to show it's not just those sailors onboard who contribute to their success:

It's a way of life! The Shore Crew of #TeamBrunel had their fair share in the Leg2 victory of Team Brunel as well: https://t.co/JK1uiwQKmU

— BrunelSailing (@brunelsailing) December 16, 2014

Dongfeng have been the most consistent party thus far after taking the runners-up spot in each of the two opening legs, Team Brunel Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing coming third and first in one leg each.

Team Vestas Wind come into the third leg knowing they'll play no part in the 4,760 nautical-mile race to Sanya, China, after running aground off the Indian Ocean Reef in Leg 2.

Neil Cox, shore manager for Chris Nicholson's team, told the competition's official website of his reaction to the tragedy and aspirations moving forward, with the team in the process of attempting to revive their 2014-15 campaign:

The ultimate plan, the gold-medal prize we’re reaching for, is to get the boat buoyant enough to float it across the lagoon to get it into more protected water.

That would stop it disintegrating out on the reef, and at the same time, once we get to the other side of the reef, it gives us the chance to set it up in a controlled fashion to either be able to tow the boat back to Mauritius, or there is a Maersk Line ship coming on Monday (Dec. 22) and we’re hoping to use their derrick to get it on the ship.

It's been a bitter pill for the team to swallow, but the harsh reality is Vestas Wind may see their involvement crumble before it had barely begun, let alone make a challenge for the top prize in Gothenburg next year.

MAPFRE, currently fifth in the rankings, are also set to undergo change, with skipper Iker Martinez handing the captain's reins over to sailing partner Xabi Fernandez.

The former won't play a part in the journey to Sanya—commencing January 2—in order to begin his preparation for the 2016 Rio Olympics. Per the official Volvo Ocean Race website the Spaniard said:

"I have to go and focus on this project now. When we started the Volvo, we knew that I already had another commitment with the Olympic campaign. That’s why I won’t be able to be onboard for the next leg from Abu Dhabi to Sanya, China."

It's a change which logic would dictates is likely to see MAPFRE's result suffer, but Fernandez may yet thrive in his increased responsibilities and mange to pull back the lead of his peers.

They, along with fellow strugglers Team Alvimedica, fourth, and Team SCA, sixth, know they must start challenging for quicker finishes from here on if they're to overcome the early deficit.

However, much of that will rest on the conditions on hand, with Leg 3's race from Abu Dhabi to China their next chance at breaking up the monopoly that's seemingly emerged thus far.

After coming into Cape Town fastest, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing currently sit atop the standings and are doing well in their bid to cement that lead with a strong display in the second leg.

As aforementioned, Team Brunel has a healthy lead en route to Abu Dhabi and are coming into the final stretch of the second leg. However, as the official Volvo Ocean Racing Twitter account hints, Abu Dhabi may yet attempt the daring in order to take their home stage:

Leaders @brunelsailing have passed the 750nm to go mark. Will @ADORlog try something different to win their home leg? http://t.co/H91FR9bLvk

— The Ocean Race (@theoceanrace) December 9, 2014

Sitting at the bottom of the standings is Team Vestas Wind, who were incredibly unfortunate to crash in the second leg and are an uncertainty for the third.

Per the Volvo Ocean Race's official YouTube channel, Chris Nicholson's team was shown hitting a reef in the Indian Ocean, wrecking their vessel and sending the entire 2014-15 race into disarray:

Team CEO Morten Albaek was quoted by the event's official website as assuring the team are giving it their all to enter a new boat and make a swift return, despite the setback: 

It is Vestas’ clear ambition to get Team Vestas Wind out sailing again. We’ll do everything within our means to make that happen. That said, the assessment from all parties is that the boat can’t be repaired, and therefore one of the options we’re looking into is building a new boat.

Whether that can be done, and done in a time which is meaningful for Team Vestas Wind to re-enter the race, is still to be concluded. We’re working closely together with Volvo Ocean Race on exploring that opportunity.

It would require an almighty revival, and a speedy one at that, for the team to re-enter with any sense of competition still alive. It's especially damaging after Vestas Wind managed to record an admirable fourth-place finish in Cape Town.

Team SCA, the only all-women outfit competing, lie sixth in the standings and are at serious risk of slipping further down the table as they chase from the back en route to Abu Dhabi.

They and MAPFRE have looked among the weaker parties in these early legs, but all it takes is a drastic change in conditions for a team to benefit greatly and storm to the head of the pack.

In a much anticipated decision, it's been revealed that Bermuda has topped San Diego for the right to host the 35th America's Cup in 2017.      

The event's official Twitter account announced the news:

The next America’s Cup will be in June 2017 in Bermuda!!

— America's Cup (@americascup) December 2, 2014

The official announcement was made via live stream from the event's website Tuesday morning. Oracle Team USA are the defending champions after winning the event in San Francisco in 2013.

Harvey Schiller, who is the commercial commissioner for the America's Cup, had this to say about the venue, per the event's official website:

In Bermuda we have a perfect international venue to demonstrate the excitement America’s Cup boats and teams can generate. The sailing conditions are near perfect. The race course on The Great Sound is a natural amphitheater with room for racing and spectators, amid a spectacular backdrop of islands and beaches. And the proposed America’s Cup Village at the Royal Naval Dockyard will be the heart of the event for the teams and fans alike.

According to Bernie Wilson of The Associated Press, "This will be the first time a U.S. defender holds the America's Cup outside the United States. It also will be the first time in the regatta's 163-year history that a defender sails the races in foreign waters by choice rather than necessity."

Michael Dunkley, the Premier of Bermuda, was thrilled to be hosting the event, per the event's website.

“We are honored that Bermuda was selected to host the 35th America’s Cup in 2017," said Dunkley. "Being the home of the America’s Cup is an extraordinary opportunity that aligns perfectly with the heritage, profile, spirit and future of our island.”

This is what it will look like - http://t.co/A6MejqKsHI

— America's Cup (@americascup) December 2, 2014

The America's Cup World Series begins in 2015 with challengers vying for the right to take on Team Oracle.

In 2017, the top challengers will qualify for the America’s Cup Challenger Playoffs and a spot in a race against the defending champions in June 2017.

Trailing 8-1 in the best-of-17 America's Cup, captain James Spithill and his Oracle Team USA crew authored a comeback for the ages. 

With their eighth straight race win on Wednesday, Team USA won the 34th America's Cup. 

Anytime you have a comeback of that magnitude, there is going to be some excitement. However, this America's Cup offered excitement beyond the comeback. The foiling catamarans provided for thrilling racing with abundant lead changes. 

I can't imagine the America's Cup will ever be the same after this stunning competition. 

At any rate, let's relive how all the drama played out. 

Sept. 2, 2013

It was clear before the racing ever began that this America's Cup was going to be different. Not only did we have the foiling catamarans, but the biggest penalty in the history of the America's Cup was levied upon Team Oracle. 

The Americans were found to have made illegal modifications to their vessel. As a result, Oracle was docked two points and sailor Dirk de Ridder, as well as two offshore crew members, were expelled. 

Following the punishment, Team USA had to win 11 races to New Zealand's nine to take the Cup. 

Sept. 7, 2013

Racing got underway on Sept. 7, and it was evident from the start this was going to be a different brand of racing. With the boats reaching speeds of over 40 miles per hour, they were swapping leads with regularity and coming insanely close to each other. 

While the race was close early, the Kiwis dominated the Americans on the upwind leg and cruised to a comfortable victory. 

The second race didn't go any better for the Americans. The Kiwis were superior in tacking and swept the first day of action. 

Standings After Race Day 1: Team New Zealand 2, Team USA -2

Sept. 8, 2013

Oracle got off to a strong start in the first race and opened up an early 17-second lead. However, much like Day 1, the Kiwis dominated the Americans on the upwind leg and on tacks and turns. 

The Kiwis wound up easily overtaking Team USA and crossing the finish line first. 

At that moment, there was little hope for the Americans. The boat was not performing well, and the crew members did not seem as sharp as their counterparts.  

The wind picked up in the second race, and the Oracle catamaran responded well. To aid this, Spithill avoided a tacking battle and was able to pull off Team USA's first win. 

Standings After Race Day 2: Team New Zealand 3, Team USA -1

Sept. 10, 2013

Any thoughts of a momentum swing in the Americans' first race win quickly disappeared. 

Once again, the Americans got off to a good start and jumped out to the early lead—only to have the Kiwis dominate on the upwind leg. 

Team New Zealand rolled the Americans and sent them into such disarray that the Americans used their one postponement card for the Cup despite not having any damage to the boat. 

Standings After Race Day 3: Team New Zealand 4, Team USA -1

Sept. 12, 2013

After having played the postponement card, it stood to reason that Team Oracle would come back with a better effort. 

It didn't happen. It was more of the same in San Francisco Bay, and Team New Zealand swept the day of racing. 

There was nothing to suggest the Americans could turn things around. 

Standings After Race Day 4: Team New Zealand 6, Team USA -1

Sept. 14, 2013

Weather conditions allowed for just one race on this day, which worked out well for the Americans. Team USA ended its victory drought in that lone race, but that didn't come until after the Kiwis almost capsized. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoOjcDf_dJA

The luck continued for the Americans, as the second race, which the Kiwis were leading at the time, was called off due to high winds. 

Standings After Race Day 5: Team New Zealand 6, Team USA 0

Sept. 15, 2013

This was the first real glimmer of hope for the Americans. The Oracle catamaran dominated the day's first race, largely due to its performance on the upwind leg. This was in stark contrast to what transpired the first week. 

Still, things had not shifted so much in the Americans' favor that they might sweep the day's activities. The Kiwis edged out the Americans in what proved to be a very competitive race. It was clear that the Americans had closed the gap, but it also seemed that the Americans had dug themselves too big of a hole. 

Standings After Race Day 6: Team New Zealand 7, Team USA 1

Sept. 18, 2013

The Kiwis nailed the start in the day's first race and led through the finish. This moved them to eight wins, and the crew appeared determined to bring the America's Cup home early. 

This is when the wind intervened and perhaps Team USA's luck had taken effect once again. With excessive wind speeds, the second race was called off. 

Standings After Race Day 7: Team New Zealand 8, Team USA 1

Sept. 19, 2013

With no margin for error, Team USA nailed the start and forced the Kiwis to tack away in the process. The Americans went on to post a strong run and led from start to finish. 

Once again, the wind was responsible for halting a race. There was just one race on the day. 

Standings After Race Day 8: Team New Zealand 8, Team USA 2

Sept. 20, 2013

Confidence was washing over the Oracle crew at this point, and it showed. The Americans got off to another strong start and put together a fine overall performance. It was becoming evident that the Oracle catamaran was gaining speed.

Still, it seemed like too much to ask for Team USA to rattle off six more wins consecutively. 

Standings After Race Day 9: Team New Zealand 8, Team USA 3

Sept. 22, 2013

The Americans grabbed the lead at the start once again in this race. However, the Kiwis made up some ground on the upwind leg. 

Still, the Oracle catamaran had built up enough speed to hold off the challenger. The team went on to post a 23-second win. 

The Americans opened up an even bigger early lead in the second race, but like the first race of the day, the Kiwis made their move on the upwind leg. While they closed the gap all the way to the finish line, the Americans' lead was too much to overcome.

Dreams of a comeback felt a little more tangible at this point. 

Standings After Race Day 10: Team New Zealand 8, Team USA 5

Sept. 23, 2013

Once again, wind limited the day's action to just one race. However, one race was all Team USA needed to prove its boat was reaching new heights. 

The Oracle catamaran was spending more and more time up on its foils, and the Kiwis could not keep up. The Americans secured a dominant win. 

Standings After Race Day 11: Team New Zealand 8, Team USA 6

Sept. 24, 2013

In the pre-start to the day's first race, the Kiwis were penalized twice after making contact with the Oracle catamaran. This gave the Americans a big lead from the onset, and they'd picked up way too much speed to relinquish it.

In the second race, the Kiwis atoned for their poor start in the first race and held the early lead. 

Team USA managed to haul in the Kiwis, and on the third leg, the Americans made their pass. 

Team USA held that lead and improbably tied this competition up, which set the stage for a winner-take-all, final-race showdown. 

Standings After Race Day 12: Team New Zealand 8, Team USA 8

Sept. 25, 2013

With the drama meter at 10, the Kiwis grabbed the early lead. That lead was increased when the Oracle catamaran dipped into the water and slowed Team USA down. 

The Americans decided to split the race and then gained ground on Team New Zealand. Still, when the boats first crossed, the Kiwis held a narrow lead. 

When the boats came to cross the third time, the Americans had captured the lead, and it was evident they had too much velocity to be caught. 

The Americans cruised to an easy win and completed their historic comeback. 

Final Results After Race Day 13: Team New Zealand 8, Team USA 9 

Oracle Team USA pulled off one of the most impressive comebacks in sailing history, as skipper James Spithill and his crew flew across the San Francisco Bay and secured the America's Cup in a winner-take-all race in the best-of-17 series.

Just a week ago, Emirates Team New Zealand led this competition 8-1 and needed just one more win to take the cup.

At that point, it was unfathomable that the Cup would advance this far, especially considering the stiff penalties that Oracle faced. However, Spithill put his crew to work, and the determined group ran off a long string of victories. 

A good number of those wins came after Team USA opened up big leads against Team New Zealand. However, that trend did not hold over the last two races. Emirates had a slight edge after a fast start during the last race—one that increased as Oracle hit a wave and took a plunge in the water:

Shortly thereafter, USA split the race in a near mirror-image of Tuesday's second contest. 

New Zealand had a slight edge as the two boats crossed the first time, but it was clear that Oracle had more speed than the Emirates catamaran. By the time these two crossed the second time, USA had pulled ahead by a small margin.

At that point, Oracle began to pull away. 

Emirates desperately tried tacking in an effort to pull closer to the Americans, with little success. USA's speed was simply too much for them to handle. 

Something clicked with Oracle midway through this competition, as the team had its catamaran up on the foils more and more as the race progressed. While strategy and skills played a big role in the eventual outcome, the fact that USA had the faster boat proved to be the difference.

This all came to the dismay of New Zealand Prime Minister John Key:

Understandably, things were a little more jovial on the other side.  

At the conclusion of the race, team owner and Oracle CEO Larry Ellison quickly boarded the boat to celebrate with his crew. And, according to Forbes, he skipped an Oracle conference to do so. 

Not only did his team complete an amazing comeback, but it did so in a thrilling America's Cup. It was Ellison's vision that helped bring these catamarans to the competition, providing great entertainment that will surely be a boon to the sport.  

Team USA did the unfathomable, as captain James Spithill rallied his crew and their Oracle catamaran back from an 8-1 deficit to retain the Americas Cup with a 9-8 victory over Team New Zealand. 

With Team New Zealand needing just one more race win to take the cup home, the boys on the Oracle catamaran churned eight out consecutive wins in the San Francisco bay to complete the comeback. 

It was just last Wednesday when the Kiwis led 8-1.

After picking up a two-point penalty prior to the start of the finals, the Americans wound up wining 11 of the 19 races. 

From that massive penalty to the most recent stunning performance from Team USA, there is no denying the merit of this tweet:  

In the end, this was a great competition with thrilling racing filled with lots of lead changes.

Wednesday, Sept. 25

Race 19

A large part of Oracle's comeback involved the Americans grabbing the lead with better starts. However, the Kiwis nailed the start in the final race and had an early advantage. 

That advantage grew quickly after the start when the Oracle catamaran plunged into the water. Spithill guided the boat back on top of the water, but the momentum was slowed. 

The Americans split the race, and at that point had better speed than the Kiwis. However, the Kiwis retained the lead when the boats first crossed. At the second cross, the Americans had stolen a slight lead. 

It was time for the Oracle catamaran to turn on the afterburners. 

By the time the Americans hit the home stretch, this race was all but over. 

This was just another exciting race in what was a thrilling Americas Cup. 

Tuesday, Sept. 24

The weather was cooperating with racing on Tuesday:

Race 17 

This race was essentially determined at the start.  The Kiwis failed to keep clear of the Americans in the prestart, as the windward boat, and this had them picking up two penalties.

Team New Zealand's gaffe at the start was understandable. The Kiwis had to try to do something as Oracle had been getting off to better starts in its comeback. However, this strategy backfired, and Team New Zealand began in a big hole. 

The Kiwis showed good speed during the race, but they had no chance of overcoming the early penalty. 

Race 18 

After a string of races that saw Team New Zealand fall behind the Americans at the start, the Kiwis finally grabbed an early lead. 

The Kiwis held that lead through the second leg. However, on the third leg, the Americans made their move.

It was a thrilling pass that saw the Americans take the lead, and they did not look back.

Monday, Sept. 23

Race 16

With the wind not cooperating, racing was delayed on Monday. This reduced the day's action to one race. 

The Americans got off to a nice start. The Oracle catamaran was the first up onto its foils and Team USA held a five-second lead at the first mark. 

Heading to the second mark, the racing got interesting: 

The Americans were able to maintain their lead, and when the boats hit the third leg, Team USA increased its advantage. 

Team USA was never seriously threatened after this point, and the Americans cruised across the finish line first to ensure there will be more racing in this suddenly thrilling America's Cup. 

Sunday, Sept. 22 

Race 14 

Oracle forced Team New Zealand wide on the first mark in this race. That allowed them to open up an early advantage. 

As they have on many occasions in this competition, the Kiwis made up ground on the upwind leg. Skipper James Spithill had the Americans tack twice to position for a nice run going downwind. Yet, New Zealand still was closing the gap.

However, that came to an end when the Kiwis hit a dead spot. Team USA went on to claim a 23-second win. 

Race 15

The second race was almost identical to the first. Team USA opened up a healthy lead early when it started leeward of Team New Zealand on the first mark. 

By the time the Americans hit the second mark, they had opened up a one-minute lead. 

That led to the upwind leg, and once again the Kiwis began to make up ground. New Zealand's charge continued on the downwind leg, but it proved to be too little too late. 

With Team USA making this epic comeback, the Kiwis will now return on Monday and hope to seal up the event. 

Racing is scheduled to begin at 4:15 p.m. ET on Monday. 

With the boats racing closer to shore than any of the America's Cups that came before it, fans are being treated to a thrilling spectacle of racing off the coast of San Francisco. So far, that has been far more joyous for fans of Emirates Team New Zealand. 

The Kiwis, with skipper Dean Barker at the helm of the 72-foot catamaran, have been dominant so far. This has them in firm control as they try to reclaim the America's Cup.

Also, not only has Team New Zealand got off to a fast start, but Team USA began this competition with a two-point penalty that was levied when it was ruled the Americans cheated. 

As a result, Team New Zealand started this competition needing to win nine races, while Team USA had to win 11 to defend its championship.

So far conditions have been nearly ideal for the event. Here is a shot from Saturday's opening day of competition: 

The boats reached speeds of more than 50 miles per hour as the vessels spent most of the race essentially flying over the water. This is far removed from the monohull days of the America's Cup. While traditionalists will still find reasons to complain, this set up for some excellent viewing and great racing.

Day 4

Team New Zealand won Race 6 against Team USA on Thursday by 45.6 seconds, per America's Cup:

It was New Zealand's fifth win in six races against the United States this year. 

Team New Zealand tweeted after yet another convincing victory:

It was an aggressive race, highlighted by a "dial-down" from New Zealand captain Dean Barker in the third leg. USA skipper Jimmy Spithill was forced to veer away after Barker won the game of chicken, costing the Americans a good second or two, according to Tom Fitzgerald of SFGate.com.

The upwind third leg was a tacking battle, which once again favored New Zealand against the Americans.

Race 7 was simply a continuation of the Kiwis' dominance.

In the final race of the day, New Zealand beat USA by over a minute, per Team New Zealand's official Twitter page:

America's Cup added:

The Kiwis got off to a quick start in Race 7, reaching the first mark with a lead of two seconds, per AmericasCup.com. 

New Zealand stretched its lead to seven seconds on the downwind leg, as both teams rounded the leeward gate on starboard. 

But it was in the third leg that New Zealand once again dominated the Americans, finishing the leg with a 56-second lead with four nautical miles to go.

After Day 4 of America's Cup 2013, Team USA finds itself needing to make up a lot of ground...or, er, ocean.

Day 3 

The Americans entered the third day of racing at the America's Cup fresh off of their first victory of the competition after losing the first three. 

They did nothing with the momentum. 

Team New Zealand soundly beat Team USA on a fine day for sailing. 

Team USA actually got off to a good start in this race. 

However, as they have been all competition, the Kiwis dominated on the upwind leg after two tacks. And with that, this race was all but over. 

The victory was thorough that it appeared to force the Americans into a need for a regrouping. With no apparent structural damage, Team USA played its only postponement card and there was just one race on this day.  

Day 2

The flying boats were back in action on Sunday, and there has been plenty of ways to enjoy the visually stunning action:

Under overcast skies and fog, the water was a little more rough than it was in the opening day. The wind was averaging around 16 knots, according to AmericasCup.com.

Race 1

The Americans got off to the strong start they needed. Team USA took the lead into the first reach mark and led by 17 seconds at the leeward gate. 

However, much like in the first race on Saturday, the two teams engaged in a tacking battle and the Kiwis dominated. 

New Zealand took the lead and never looked back:

The Americans have the speed to contend, but they were losing it on the turns and in tacking. 

Race 2

The sun started to burn through and the wind began to pick up in the second race. This worked out well for the Americans.

Once again, the Americans took the early lead, and then made a key adjustment from the first three races. The Americans avoided a tacking war in this race.

Team USA's vessel has nice speed, but it definitely does not tack as well. So, American skipper James Spithill decided to try to capitalize on the speed and minimize the tacking.   

As a result, the Americans led this the whole way and finally earned their first win. 

Day 1

Race 1

New Zealand finished the first race with a comfortable 36-second victory. 

However, the majority of the racing action was anything but comfortable. 

The first race of the 34th America's Cup featured two lead changes and some close racing:

Keep this in mind when looking at how close the boats are to each other: The sailors spent much of the day travelling at speeds over 40 miles per hour. 

The Kiwis wrestled control in the third leg when they began to take advantage while going upwind:

The tacking for the Kiwis was superior in Race 1.

Race 2

During the first race, the Americans suffered a tear in the wing. Patching the wing was not difficult; however, having that patch maintain its integrity and keeping the wind out for the whole race—with the breeze picking up to almost 20 knots—was another story. 

The Americans could have called off the race. Each team has that option for one second stage over the course of this competition. However, Oracle wanted to hang onto that option. 

Perhaps that was a poor choice. The Americans were never in contention in the second race. 

Team New Zealand carried an average speed of 35 miles per hour (30.12 knots) in the second race. This was two miles per hour faster than the Americans averaged.

This has to have Team Oracle's billionaire owner Larry Ellison a touch worried. His team is going to have to do something to gain some speed that wasn't displayed on Saturday. Otherwise, it is impossible to see Team USA winning 11 of the next 17 races. 

The crews will return to action on Sunday for another two races.