New Zealand continued to dominate the America’s Cup races on Friday, extending their lead over Great Britain to 6-2 and edging closer to victory. The Kiwis won both races of the day, putting them within one point of retaining the prestigious trophy.
Despite a strong performance by Ben Ainslie’s Ineos Britannia team on Wednesday, New Zealand’s Emirates Team New Zealand capitalized on favorable wind conditions to secure victories in race seven and race eight. This impressive showing earned them five match points and put them in a commanding position in the best-of-13 series.
British skipper Ben Ainslie acknowledged the Kiwis’ superior performance, admitting, “It wasn’t a good day for us – hats off to the Kiwis. They sailed two really strong races in that shifty stuff and managed to pick the right side off both start lines and get that first shift.” Ainslie commended New Zealand’s defense and strategic maneuvers, recognizing the challenges his team faced in trying to catch up.
With New Zealand on the verge of making history by potentially winning the America’s Cup for the third consecutive time, the pressure is on for Great Britain to stage a comeback. Despite facing an uphill battle, Ainslie expressed determination to keep fighting and emphasized that the competition is not over yet.
The upcoming races on Saturday will be crucial as New Zealand aims to secure their victory and Great Britain seeks to rally and narrow the gap. The prospect of the Kiwis lifting the Auld Mug for a third consecutive time adds excitement to the competition, with fans eagerly anticipating the outcome.
For viewers keen to follow the action, the remaining races of the America’s Cup will be broadcast live on BBC iPlayer, the BBC Sport website, and app. Saturday’s racing is set to begin at 13:00 BST, offering fans the opportunity to witness the thrilling conclusion of this historic sailing event.
