Multihull Sailing Thriller
We multihull lovers are truly privileged to witness an unprecedented international sporting spectactle. What we all thought was a lost Americas Cup has turned into the most thrilling of all sporting spectacles and has put multihull sailing onto the international headlines. ORACLE TEAM USA has trailed by 7 races, has won every single race in the past 6 days and has forced an amazing winner-take-all final race for the 34th America’s Cup after posting a come-from-behind win in Race 18.
What many have thought was impossible is becoming a reality: The biggest turn around in sporting history !
Kiwi skipper Dean Barker started the race to leeward of rival Jimmy Spithill and held the lead around the first turning mark. The Kiwis kept the lead by 7 seconds at the leeward gate but ORACLE TEAM USA has speed to burn on the upwind legs and simply sailed past the Kiwis. ORACLE TEAM USA led by 57 seconds at the windward gate beginning the penultimate leg and finished with a 54-second advantage.
Tomorrow’s Race 19 is scheduled to start at 1:15 p.m. PT and the winner will win the 34th America’s Cup.
Many traditionalist monohull sailors who criticized multihulls had to hear what Team NZ skipper Dean Barker had to saiy: “If you do not like what you are watching…you picked the wrong sport”