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America's CupPerennial favourite America's Cup

Tatjana Pokorny

 · 21.09.2013

America's Cup: perennial favourite America's CupPhoto: ACEA/Abner Kingman
AC 34 Race day 11a
The 34th Cup duel could be the longest in the history of the prestigious regatta. The previous record will be equalled today
New Zealand is actually known as the "land of the long white cloud", and that's where the crew on the Kiwi cat of the same name, "Aotearoa", wants to take the Cup. On Saturday, however, it was precisely this weather scenario that threw a spanner in the works for the New Zealanders...Photo: ACEA/Ricardo Pinto New Zealand is actually known as the "land of the long white cloud", and that's where the crew on the Kiwi cat of the same name, "Aotearoa", wants to take the Cup. On Saturday, however, it was precisely this weather scenario that threw a spanner in the works for the New Zealanders...

114 years ago, the sailing world witnessed the longest duel for the ornate silver jug since 1851. In 1899, J.P. Morgan's "Columbia" and Sir Thomas Lipton's "Shamrock" battled for the jug for 18 days. The second longest duel was not so long ago: off Auckland in 2003, the inferior Emirates Team New Zealand fought in vain against the overpowering Swiss dream team Alinghi under the command of New Zealand sailing star Russell Coutts, who is now the chief conductor of Oracle Team USA. The Kiwis eventually lost the battle of the giants 5-0, with a nine-day break in sailing caused by difficult wind conditions playing a major part in the 31st edition lasting 16 days. The current duel also reaches day 16 today. It could come to an end if the New Zealanders win. However, if the Americans can continue to counterattack, the 34th edition will be sailing on a historic record course. (Editor's note: This paragraph was changed on 24 September because there was an even longer edition than the 31st America's Cup in 1899).

Symbol of hope for the comeback of the century: Can Oracle Team USA continue to counterattack or will the Spithill crew's hopes be dashed tonight?Photo: ACEA/Gilles Martin-Raget Symbol of hope for the comeback of the century: Can Oracle Team USA continue to counterattack or will the Spithill crew's hopes be dashed tonight? Fog and southerly winds prevented the races on Saturday because the race committee could not lay out a reasonable coursePhoto: ACEA/Ricardo Pinto Fog and southerly winds prevented the races on Saturday because the race committee could not lay out a reasonable course

In the duel between Larry Ellison's US sailing team and the "Kiwis", the score is 3:8. Oracle helmsman James Spithill, his tactician Ben Ainslie, his strategist Tom Slingsby and the crew want to continue their race to catch up tonight. In view of the expected conditions, the race organisers are optimistic about the chances of the two scheduled races 14 and 15 being held.

Jimmy Spithill said: "We believe we can still win." The Americans still need to win six in a row to defend the ornate silver jug after all. Kiwi helmsman Dean Barker, his tactician Ray Davies and Emirates Team New Zealand have just as many match points left to secure their third Cup victory after 1995 and 2000.

The New Zealand fans have to hold out and keep hoping: Can their fabulous Barker Boys finally end their wait for a third Cup win after 1995 and 2000 today?Photo: ACEA/Gilles Martin-Raget The New Zealand fans have to hold out and keep hoping: Can their fabulous Barker Boys finally end their wait for a third Cup win after 1995 and 2000 today?

"Either the race to catch up comes too late or it will be the comeback of the century," said Gary Jobson, Vice President of the International Sailing Federation (Isaf) and co-commentator of the live broadcasts. Twice, in races nine and twelve, the wind stole an early victory from the New Zealanders during this edition of the Cup. One race had to be cancelled due to strong winds when the Kiwis were in the lead. The other was cancelled when the New Zealanders - clearly in the lead - already had the finish line and the Cup victory in sight.

The duel will continue today from 10.15pm German time and can be seen live on the internet or via Servus TV on Austrian television.

It never rains in California? Not at all. Kiwi tactician Ray Davies takes the conditions with humourPhoto: ACEA/Balasz Gardi It never rains in California? Not at all. Kiwi tactician Ray Davies takes the conditions with humour Must take the conditions as they come: Oracle helmsman James Spithill remains optimistic and eager to attackPhoto: ACEA/Balasz Gardi Must take the conditions as they come: Oracle helmsman James Spithill remains optimistic and eager to attack
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Tatjana Pokorny

Tatjana Pokorny

Sports reporter

Tatjana “tati” Pokorny is the author of nine books. As a reporter for Europe's leading sailing magazine YACHT, she also works as a correspondent for the German Press Agency (DPA), the Hamburger Abendblatt and other national and international media. In summer 2024, Tatjana will be reporting from Marseille on her ninth consecutive Olympic Games. Other core topics have been the America's Cup since 1992, the Ocean Race since 1993, the Vendée Globe and other national and international regattas and their protagonists. Favorite discipline: Portraits of and interviews with sailing personalities. When she started out in sports journalism, she was still intensively involved with basketball and other sports, but sailing quickly became her main focus. The reason? The declared optimist says: “There is no other sport like it, no other sport with such interesting and intelligent personalities, no other sport so diverse, no other sport so full of energy, strength and ideas. Sailing is like a constantly refreshing declaration of love for life."

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