America’s Cup: Ground Hog Day for Race 7

San Francisco, CA (September 12, 2013) – If the America’s Cup defender Oracle Team USA was demoralized in their loss of the sixth race, challenger Emirates Team New Zealand fully deflated their spirits in the seventh race. The American team got spanked from start to finish.

The start was setting up the same as the sixth race, with the American team blocking the Kiwi track. However, unlike the sixth race, Kiwi skipper Dean Barker was fully awake, jumped up to the high lane and timed the final acceleration better than American team skipper Jimmy Spithill.

“After the horrid start in race six, I was conscious to not let the guys down again,” noted Barker.

With better pace, the Kiwis went over the top on the first leg, dropping in front of the defender to hold a 2 second delta at mark one. While downwind speed was even, the Kiwis carefully matched gybes on the run to insure that the Americans would not gain a split at the leeward gate.

With the Kiwis leading the defender around the inshore gate by 6 seconds, what ensued on the upwind leg was a pure demonstration of strategy and speed. About halfway up the beat, now with a 275 meter lead, the onboard audio offered insight into the Kiwi boat atmosphere.

Dean Barker: “When they tack let’s just roll with them.”
Ray Davies: “Yea”
Dean Barker: “Otherwise let’s just keep going, right.”
Ray Davies: “Yea”
Dean Barker: “Let’s just keep it simple.”

To this, broadcast commentator Ken Read couldn’t help himself. “It is very interesting how relaxed Ray Davies is right now. Speaking from experience, when you are this fast, it’s really fun being a tactician.”

Building a 400 meter lead at the windward gate, and quickly extending to over 1000 meters on the run, the Kiwis win race 7 by 65 seconds.

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Seven Completed Races – First team to 9 Points Wins
Emirates Team New Zealand: 6
Oracle Team USA: -1*
* Began series with -2 points due to International Jury penalty from AC World Series.

America’s Cup Final schedule
Saturday, Sept. 7: Race 1 (1:15 pm PT), Race 2 (2:15 pm PT)
Sunday, Sept. 8: Race 3 (1:15 pm PT), Race 4 (2:15 pm PT
Tuesday, Sept. 10: Race 5 (1:15 pm PT), Race 6 (2:15 pm PT); Race 6 postponed
Thursday, Sept. 12: Race 6 (1:15 pm PT), Race 7 (2:15 pm PT)
Saturday, Sept. 14: Race 8 (1:15 pm PT), Race 9 (2:15 pm PT)
Sunday, Sept. 15: Race 10 (1:15 pm PT), Race 11* (2:15 pm PT)
Monday, Sept. 16: Race 12* (1:15 pm PT)
Tuesday, Sept. 17: Race 13* (1:15 pm PT), Race 14* (2:15 pm PT)
Wednesday, Sept. 18: Reserve Day
Thursday, Sept. 19: Race 15* (1:15 pm PT), Race 16* (2:15 pm PT)
Friday, Sept. 20: Reserve Day
Saturday, Sept. 21: Race 17* (1:15 pm PT)
Sunday, Sept. 22: Reserve Day
Monday, Sept. 23: Reserve Day
(*If necessary)