For the third time in a row, the Swiss boat was in the lead. The race was decided shortly after the start. However, the New Zealanders never gave up and created a first-class overtaking opportunity at the end of the last cross. But in the end the pendulum swung back in Alinghi's favour.
There was no shortage of support from Kiwi fans. While 100,000 people on 3,000 boats were counted on Sunday, even on Tuesday tens of thousands of spectators came to Viaduct Harbour to applaud the home team as they left the harbour. They hooted and hollered as NZL 82 and the repaired training vessel NZL 81 left the harbour. Past a huge banner reading "Remember Shackleton". A nice reminder that the adventurer rescued his crew from a hopeless situation in the ice. In other words: nothing is impossible.
And it really wasn't. Even the pre-start routine went better for the home team than on the previous days. The obligatory sparring with the training boat, testing the mooring lines to the start line, the start approaches for the timing. Just before the five-minute signal, the weatherman leaves the boat with the communication devices.
But Barker and co. have already lost at this moment. Alinghi's weather chief John Bulger disembarks a little later. Exactly 30 seconds before diving in, he jumps spectacularly into the Hauraki Gulf with a watertight suitcase and is picked up by a tender. In these final seconds, in which he discusses the weather with the afterguard, he makes the decisive announcement. "Right is better."
It is not an easy decision. Alinghi's decision-makers can be seen arguing fiercely for several minutes. It almost looks like a business conference. Only the pinstripe suits are missing. And the constant hand movements used to simulate tactical situations don't fit in. A difficult decision has to be made.
Perhaps it is because of this confusion that Russell Coutts does not have his head clear for the start timing. He dives in late and allows the New Zealanders to cross in front of the bow without right of way. A weak opening to the start.
But after that, everything is open. Jochen Schümann and Murray Jones are constantly discussing the weather. There are also many arguments in favour of the left-hand side. However, Alinghi has already sailed several races in this wind direction, and it was always better on the right.
It's all about the final decision. Two minutes to go until the start, when Brad Butterworth's voice is heard: "I'm happy with the right side." This is the announcement for Coutts to fight for the right side of the start line.
Team New Zealand is having the same discussions. Their weatherman also favoured the right-hand side, but the crew decided against it shortly before the start. Barker wants to go left. He has a strong position to leeward of Alinghi.
Barker almost manages to push his opponent over the right-hand lay line. But Coutts sails past with more speed upwind, heads into the wind because he is too early, and finally manages to turn and start very close to the starting boat.
"Phew, these guys are so incredibly good," says British America's Cup skipper Ian Walker on the media boat. "That's incredibly precise timing." Barker at the other end has all the time and space in the world, but gives away half a boat length.
Then, as if on cue, the 20-degree right-hander for Alinghi arrives, Coutts turns and takes an early lead, which he extends to 150 metres. It's the big point for Alinghi.
The New Zealanders then try to catch up using the same tactics as Alinghi on Sunday. Calmly and patiently, they closed the gap metre by metre. The 28-second gap at the first buoy is subsequently reduced to 20, 17 and 15 seconds. Both boats are obviously equally fast.
But as Dean Barker says so beautifully in the press conference: "There's a huge difference between getting close and overtaking." And yet: the chance suddenly comes on the final cross. Coutts turns under his opponent instead of covering him hard and promptly finds himself on the outside of a ten-degree right turn. There is a moment when he could no longer cross the Kiwi bug.
But then the wind picks up and Alinghi pulls out to leeward. Either the trimmers have reacted better to this stronger wind of around 15 knots, or the boat is stronger. "We sail higher when we have to," says designer Rolf Vrolijk proudly. "That has been our strength throughout the series."
It's the decision. Barker tacks away and is no longer within striking distance for the final downwind course. He has delivered another good race, but not good enough for Alinghi.
Alinghi strategist Murray Jones is asked at the press conference what would have happened if the roles had been split on the starting cross and Barker had the right-hand side. "Then they would probably have won," he replies. Today, the weather team made the difference. In this area, too, Alinghi seems to be that decisive tick better.
On arrival in the harbour, the crowds are silent. Only a few clap politely. Acoustically, the Swiss fans are way out in front. Cowbells are ringing everywhere.
