Sailing
In one of history’s greatest sporting comebacks, Oracle Team USA overhaul an 8–1 deficit to win 9–8.
With Oracle Team USA facing the extra hurdle of a two-point penalty imposed for a behind-the-scenes technical infringement in an earlier competition, defending the cup they won three years ago was never going to be easy, but with the American outfit facing a virtual whitewash as challengers Emirates Team New Zealand took an 8–1 lead last week with just one more victory needed, it looked impossible.
But they dug deep… and somehow they eked a little more speed out of their awesome AC72 craft day by day, race by race.
We were facing the barrel of a gun at 8-1 and the guys didn’t even flinch
– Jimmy Spithill
The New Zealanders even started the final decisive race 19 the better, but eventually the mastery of the crew, captain Jimmy Spithill and the highly-decorated British tactician of the team, Sir Ben Ainslie, saw the defenders home.
"It was a fantastic race. We wouldn’t have it any other way," said Spithill. "We came from behind, the guys showed so much heart.
"On your own you’re nothing, but a team like this can make you look great… We were facing the barrel of a gun at 8-1 and the guys didn’t even flinch."
"It's been one of the most amazing comebacks ever, I think, almost in any sport but certainly in sailing," commented Ainslie, "and to be a part of that is a huge privilege."
"We got the momentum going and we started believing in ourselves and when you do that you can become quite strong."
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