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Auckland / New Zealand (AP) - America's Cup defender New Zealand is one point missing to win the 36th match for the oldest international sports trophy.
In the duel with challenger Italy, the hosts lead 6: 3 and have scored four match points.
The encounter had to be postponed to Wednesday (4.15 a.m. / Servus TV) after race nine on Tuesday morning due to inconsistent winds.
Seven victories are necessary for the triumph at the sailing summit in Auckland, New Zealand.
In nine of the most exciting races to date, the crew on «Luna Rossa» had led over long stretches in six leadership changes.
But New Zealand managed a final counterattack: “Te Rehutai” with helmsman Peter Burling reached the finish line after a favorable wind shift at a faster boat speed 30 seconds before “Luna Rossa” with co-helmsmen Francesco Bruni (Palermo) and Jimmy Spithill (Sydney).
Bruni said: “It was painful, but we can still win races.
If I've learned anything from Jimmy, it's fighting to the end. "
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In 2013, Jimmy Spithill was the helmsman in Oracle Team USA, which made history in San Francisco with the biggest America's Cup comeback.
The Americans were 8-1 behind in the duel with New Zealand and won 9-8.
Spithill's rival in the current cup duel was not part of the game at the time: 49er Olympic champion Peter Burling took revenge for New Zealand in 2017 as the youngest victory helmsman at the age of 26.
On March 17th, the 30-year-old from Tauranga can write another chapter of cup history with the successful cup defense in his home area, before he fights for Olympic gold again with crew mate Blair Tuke.
In the sailing area of the Olympic Games in Tokyo, the Berliners Erik Heil / Thomas Plößel, who won bronze in the 49er in 2016, are again among the competitors of Burling / Tuke for the medals.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210316-99-839842 / 3
36th America's Cup, information and results