Oracle Team USA have laid down the gauntlet to Team New Zealand with a dominant win on the final day of the America's Cup qualifying series.
It was a sloppy start for Peter Burling - the New Zealand boat got caught in a tricky situation at the starting marker and was forced to complete a penalty, after Spithill lured his younger foe into a mistake.
The Kiwi boat was able to mow down Oracle's early lead by halfway down the third-leg, but Burling was out-thought by Spithill for a second time just before the fourth mark, when New Zealand tacked underneath the US boat when crossing would have seen them take the lead.
Two more penalties for Team New Zealand on the fourth leg for crossing the boundary line proved fatal, and Spithill stormed to a 29-second win.
The result means whomever challenges Oracle in a few weeks' time will start the America's Cup on -1 point – a big advantage for the holders.
It’s back to the drawing board for Team New Zealand. After an impressive few days on the water, this is a major setback given the history between the two syndicates.
One positive for the Kiwis is they get to select which of the other three challengers they want to race in the semi-finals.
Newshub.
