“We’re going to fight the whole way. We’re going to go at every single race thinking we can win – we have to, and we believe that,” said skipper Jimmy Spithill. “We’re going to have to be pretty aggressive now and obviously push as hard as we can. We know if we sail well out there we can win races.”
In Race 6, the first race of the day, ORACLE TEAM USA once again took control off the start. The crew maintained the advantage on the first downwind leg, rounding the second mark 12 seconds in front. With another tacking battle on the third leg, New Zealand pulled ahead and held on to win by 47 seconds.
The second race of the day saw New Zealand take the early lead, a position they did not relinquish. ORACLE TEAM USA crossed the line 1:06 back.
“We’re just taking it one race at a time,” said wing trimmer Kyle Langford. “The first race today we felt like we did a good job – we dominated the start and led around the bottom mark. Now we need to stay focused and be ready for the next race day.”
New Zealand currently leads the series 6-0 in points and 6-1 in wins. The next race day is Saturday when races No. 8 and 9 of the match begin at 1:15 pm PT and 2:15 pm PT, respectively.
RACE 6 DATA
Course: 5 Legs/10.14 nautical miles
Elapsed Time: ETNZ – 31:39, OTUSA – 32:26
Delta: ETNZ +:47
Total distance sailed: ETNZ – 12.3 NM, OTUSA – 12.3 NM
Average Speed: ETNZ – 23.43 knots (27 mph), OTUSA – 22.91 knots (26 mph)
Top Speed: ETNZ – 38.55 knots (44 mph), OTUSA – 40.21 knots (46 mph)
Windspeed: Average – 11.6 knots, Peak – 13.4 knots
RACE 7 DATA
Course: 5 Legs/10.14 nautical miles
Elapsed Time: ETNZ – 24:48, OTUSA – 25:54
Delta: ETNZ +1:06 Total distance sailed: ETNZ – 11.6 NM, OTUSA – 12.0 NM
Average Speed: ETNZ – 28.32 knots (32 mph), OTUSA – 27.86 knots (32 mph)
Top Speed: ETNZ – 44.73 knots (51 mph), OTUSA – 41.00 knots (47 mph)
Windspeed: Average – 16.3 knots, Peak – 17.8 knots