11:03 PM: A New Zealand team is within two points of clinching the 34th America’s Cup following today’s races.
Emirates Team New Zealand and Oracle Team USA each won one race today, leaving the New Zealand team with a 7-1 lead, race officials said. The first team to nine points wins the final.
Oracle’s first two victories did not count due to a two-point penalty imposed on them earlier this month for illegal boat modifications last year and earlier this year.
8:09 AM: All hope is not lost for Oracle Team USA in the America’s Cup Finals after the defending champion took the lone race on Saturday by more than 50 seconds over challenger Emirates Team New Zealand.
Oracle still trails Emirates 6-0 on the scoreboard due to a two-point penalty imposed on them earlier this month for illegal boat modifications last year and earlier this year.
The first team to nine points wins the final.
“We don’t care what the scoreline is,” Oracle skipper Jimmy Spithill said. “At some point it’s going to turn. Today was a big moment for us.”
Oracle was trailing off the start line and at the first two mark roundings, but Emirates nearly capsized, and the defending champs capitalized.
Spithill’s team went on to defeat Emirates in Race 8 by 52 seconds.
Races 9 and 10 are scheduled for today at 1:15 and 2:15 p.m. and can be viewed on NBC Sports Network.
