America's Cup: The defender chased off the pitch

Race 5

It's down to business in the 34th America's Cup duel. The leading New Zealanders may have lost the start in the fifth race, but they did not lose the race. Less than a quarter of an hour after the starting signal, the decisive scene of the day occurred, which not only gave Team New Zealand the chance to overtake, but also caused massive depression for Cup defender Oracle Team USA.

And this is how the sequence of the day unfolded, which would later lead to violent eruptions on the defenders' side: After the first lap of the leeward mark, the leading US team wants to reach the weaker counter-current behind Alcatraz Island at all costs and therefore decides to make a very quick turn. But the Alcatraz coverage turns out to be much greater than expected. Emirates Team New Zealand, on the other hand, only tacked long after the rounding and was therefore able to sail freely and, with its impressive upwind speed, irresistibly made up the distance lost on the first downwind leg metre by metre (as if in fast motion). When Oracle Team USA tacked back again and the New Zealanders did the same a little later, the first "crossing" on the cross was already close, one last time in favour of the Americans. By swapping sides, the Kiwis have secured the important starboard advantage and take the lead a short time later.

Luna Rossa's helmsman Chris Draper says it as co-commentator of the live broadcast: "It was a very strange tactical decision. It was clear that the Kiwis would want to tack at some point. They should have just waited." Four-time America's Cup winner Brad Butterworth sums up the defenders' weakness: "They're making it difficult for themselves."

But all this is just the overture to the other surprises of the day. The Americans consequently lose the fifth race after their serious mishap, finishing one minute and five seconds behind. The Kiwis take their fourth victory point. Casual. The score is 4-1 when the defenders make an unexpected decision: they exercise their right to postpone a race. According to the rules, both Cup finalists have the option of withdrawing from an upcoming race and postponing it - for whatever reason. Spithill claims: "It was a team decision. We have to sail home and regroup as a group." The usually confident 34-year-old high-flyer also says: "The Kiwis have a bit of an upwind advantage. And we made a few mistakes, especially at the tack."

The mood on board the US catamaran is grim as an escort boat approaches. On board: CEO Russell Coutts. The four-time America's Cup winner calls his helmsman James "Jimmy" Spithill to him. The two sit alone in the helm for a short time and talk. What they talk about may remain a secret forever. When Spithill is asked later in the interview about the content of the conversation, he smiles and says: "We were talking about the weather." Of course.

One thing is clear: the interim result shocks the defenders. They are demoralised by the way they have got into this situation. The opponent is currently superior in some crucial areas, a rocket in the wind. The coming days will show whether the financially far superior racing team of US billionaire Larry Ellison, which has now fallen so miserably behind, can strike back once again and whether an Afterguard member may even have to resign. In view of the tactical misjudgements, the experienced tactician John Kostecki is more likely to be in the crossfire of internal criticism than helmsman Spithill.