INEOS Britannia have got the break they needed, winning their first race over New Zealand in the America’s Cup finals, reducing the Kiwis’ lead to 4-1 in the first-to-seven series.
New Zealand’s Taihoro fell off its foils in the pre-start buildup and was left flailing while Britannia buzzed them twice before taking a huge advantage in Wednesday’s first of two races.
Winds just above the 6.5-knot minimum made just keeping the 75-foot monohulls on their foils key.
When Britannia crossed the line, New Zealand were almost 1200 metres behind.
New Zealand had sailed flawlessly to sweep the first four races held in view of the Barcelona beachfront.
New Zealand are trying to win the Auld Mug, the oldest trophy in international sport, for a third straight time and fifth overall. The British have never won it in the event’s 173-year history and are in their first final in six decades.
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