ORACLE TEAM USA COUTTS captures match racing championship, ORACLE TEAM USA SPITHILL takes overall fleet racing title

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. – Super Sunday proved to be just that for ORACLE TEAM USA at the America’s Cup World Series in San Francisco. Helmsman Russell Coutts and crew outdueled fellow team helmsman Jimmy Spithill and crew to win the match racing championship. Spithill then came from behind to finish second in the final fleet race and win the overall fleet racing championship at the first ACWS stop of the 2012-13 season.

“This was a fantastic event,” said Coutts of the team’s first chance to race in their home town. “Both teams in the match racing final, a great result, and Jimmy sailed well. I expected it to be good, and it was. It looked like people were having fun, and that’s what it’s all about. We certainly were having fun out on the water.”

As expected, the match racing finale became a fierce competition between the two stable-mates. Coutts maneuvered the start to get across the line ahead and hold the lead around the first mark. After slight lead changes on the third leg, Coutts rounded Gate 3 in front by 15 seconds. With the gap closing to 6 seconds, Spithill was penalized for going out of bounds. He took the penalty just after the final mark, setting up a sprint to the finish. Coutts held position to win the match racing championship by 1 second.

“It’s good to chalk up another win. We’re especially happy to win that one, given what happened earlier in the week,” Coutts said. “I was working on getting in front of the start – that was key for us. The guys onboard sailed a very good race – good decisions, good execution – and we’re happy to taste a win.”

With bonus points up for grabs, the final of seven fleet races on the week took on new meaning as several teams in the 11-boat fleet could have the opportunity to capture the overall championship. ORACLE TEAM USA COUTTS was forced to take a penalty off the start but quickly began moving back into contention.

Both ORACLE TEAM USA crews found themselves in the middle of the pack half-way through the race while Luna Rossa Piranha took the lead. ORACLE TEAM USA SPITHILL continued to close in, knowing at that point at least a second-place finish was needed to hold onto first place overall. Around the final mark, Spithill battled with Team Korea which resulted in a penalty for the Korean team. Spithill and crew edged ahead into second and won the week’s fleet racing overall title by one point.

“I’m really proud of how the guys did today. It was a great comeback,” Spithill said. “I feel disappointed with the match race and feel I personally didn’t sail my best. But, a sign of a great team is one that can come back from adversity, and the boys showed that in the fleet racing. We had a few issues to deal with, but we just took them on and were rewarded at the end.

“For ORACLE TEAM USA, it’s a pretty great result to win the match racing, then win the fleet racing. And, it’s the first time racing in front of our home fans,” Spithill said. “It’s been great to see all of the crowds down here – San Francisco delivered.”

At the 2011-12 America’s Cup World Series finale in Newport, R.I., ORACLE TEAM USA COUTTS and ORACLE TEAM USA SPITHILL also faced off, with Coutts coming out on top in that race as well.

ORACLE TEAM USA SPITHILL collected 86 points in the week’s fleet racing standings, finishing first and one point ahead of Luna Rossa Piranha. Team Korea was third with 65 points, and ORACLE TEAM USA COUTTS finished eighth with 42.

The America’s Cup World Series returns to San Francisco Oct. 2-7, 2012, timed in conjunction with Fleet Week – one of the largest annual events held in San Francisco.

CREW LISTS

ORACLE TEAM USA SPITHILL – Jimmy Spithill (skipper/helmsman), John Kostecki (tactician), Dirk de Ridder (wingsail trimmer), Joe Newton (headsail trimmer), Piet van Nieuwenhuijzen (bowman)

ORACLE TEAM USA COUTTS – Russell Coutts (skipper/helmsman), Murray Jones (wingsail trimmer), Shannon Falcone (trimmer), Kinley Fowler (trimmer), Sam Newton (bowman)

2012-13 ACWS – SAN FRANCISCO

FLEET RACING

Team (Country): R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 (PTS) – Total

ORACLE TEAM USA SPITHILL (USA): 2(10), 1(12), 6(6), 1(12), 2(11), 1(12), 2(25) – 86

Luna Rossa Piranha (ITA): 3(9), 8(4), 2(10), 5(7), 4(8), 5(7), 1(40) – 85

Team Korea (KOR): 7(5), 4(8), 4(8), 2(10), 8(4), 2(10), 3 (20) – 65

Energy Team (FRA): 4(8), 7(5), 3(9), 7(5), 1(12), 3(9), 10(7) – 55

Luna Rossa Swordfish (ITA): 9(3), 10(2), 1(12), 6(6), 5(7), 7(5), 4(16) – 51

Artemis Racing White (SWE): 5(7), 3(9), 6(6), 9(3), 6(6), 4(8), 8(9) – 48

Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL): 8(4), 9(3), 5(7), 3(9), 3(9), 9(3), 9(8) – 43

ORACLE TEAM USA COUTTS (USA):  1(12), 6(6), DNF, DNS, 7(5), 6(6), 5(13) – 42

Artemis Racing Red (SWE): 6(6), 2(10), 8(4), 8(4), 9(3), 11(1), 7(10) – 38

J.P. Morgan BAR (GBR): 10(2), 5(7), 9(3), 4(8), 10(2), 8(4), 6(11) – 37

China Team (CHN): 11(1), 11(1), 10(2), 10(2), 11(1), 10(2), 11 (6) – 15

(Scoring: 1st place = 12 points, 2nd = 10, 3rd = 9, 4th = 8, 5th = 7, 6th = 6, 7th = 5, 8th = 4, 9th = 3, 10th = 2, 11th = 1)

MATCH RACING LEADERBOARD

1. ORACLE TEAM USA COUTTS

2. ORACLE TEAM USA SPITHILL

3. Artemis Racing White

4. Emirates Team New Zealand

5. Energy Team

6. Luna Rossa Piranha

7. Luna Rossa Swordfish

8. J.P. Morgan BAR

9. Team Korea

10. China Team

11. Artemis Racing Red