Is there still something possible? Cup defender Oracle Team USA has stopped the winning streak of the New Zealand challengers. Jimmy Spithill's team won the eighth race by a clear margin of 52 seconds. The victory was preceded by a near capsize of the Kiwis, which shocked sailors and fans alike. For around five seconds, Emirates Team New Zealand gazed into the America's Cup abyss before the derailed starboard hull of the giant catamaran "Aotearoa" hit the water again. During the scene, the onboard microphones broadcast this scream in particular: "Hydro, Hydro, Hydro!" A hydraulic blunder by the crew had caused the Kiwi catamaran to lift almost vertically into the sky because the stiff wing sail failed to keep up with the turn and almost caused the New Zealanders, who unlike the Americans only have one boat, to have a super disaster.
The rescue manoeuvre of the day in this dramatic situation was performed by helmsman Dean Barker, who was later praised by all sides. Dean Barker admitted in the press conference: "We were as close as we could get to putting the thing on its side. We were in a bit of a rush and late with the hydraulics." "My heart didn't just stop for five seconds, it felt like five minutes," said Australian co-commentator and 49er Olympic champion Nathan Outerridge, summing up how millions of Kiwi fans must have felt.
Until this incident, the New Zealanders had been able to defend their lead in the eighth encounter after winning the start against the Americans, who had shortened their bowsprit on Saturday and made a few other modifications and were more powerful. With a top speed of 47.2 knots, it was the Kiwis who set the tone. The US team led by helmsman Jimmy Spithill and tactician Ben Ainslie seemed to have rectified some of the weaknesses of the previous days; they were breathing down their rivals' necks. Commentator and Isaf Vice President Gary Jobson praised: "The US boat is going well and strongly through the waves." Larry Ellison's racing team had clearly used the break day to get rid of all the unnecessary weight on their boat. Both teams started the fifth day of the regatta with new measurement certificates.
The Americans used the involuntary New Zealand "stunt" to break through and won the eighth confrontation by 52 seconds. Even Larry Ellsion, who was watching his team from an inflatable boat on the water for the first time in this final, was smiling. After much frustration in the past few days, his face flashed with a renewed desire to play in the Cup. After the end of the race, Jimmy Spithill took the opportunity to once again put his finger in the Kiwis' fresh wound: "Man, I thought they were very, very close to capsizing."
The second race of the day - duel number nine - started late because the wind repeatedly exceeded the permitted limit of 22.6 knots before the starting signal, but then levelled out at just about the permitted figures. The Kiwis again won the start with confident positioning. Barker was not rattled by Spithill's aggressive attacks, defended his position despite the shock moments in the previous race and raced round the important first turning mark with a four-second lead.
The New Zealanders reached the next buoy seven seconds faster than James Spithill, Sir Ben Ainslie and their team, but after rounding the buoy the Americans managed to create the hoped-for split. But the Kwis withstood the American attacks and seemed to have regained their confident routine when the race committee cancelled the exciting race: the wind limit had been exceeded by just one knot. Nevertheless, the officials had no choice - the merciless safety rules took effect, although all observers confirmed what co-commentator Ken Read said: "The conditions are ideal." The race committee put an end to the sailing thriller in accordance with the regulations.
Races nine and ten were postponed until Sunday evening German time. With only their second victory in this 34th America's Cup duel, the Americans equalised the two-point penalty they had received in advance on Saturday. Their race to catch up now begins with zero points. The final will continue with the next two races on Sunday with the score at 6-0 in favour of Emirates Team New Zealand. The Kiwis need three more victories to win the most important trophy in international sailing. The Americans still have to win nine times if they want to defend the ornate silver jug.
The word for Sunday this weekend comes from ZDF reporter Nils Kaben: "10.15 pm is the new Tatort time!" It's his nod to the suspense potential of the Cup races, which are broadcast on the internet and, in many countries, live on television from 10.15 pm.
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
