NZ beat Alinghi to level series

Team New Zealand staged a stunning comeback to beat Swiss team Alinghi yesterday and level the best-of-nine America's Cup series 1-1. In one of the most exciting races in recent Cup history, Alinghi had led at the first mark after making up ground when...

Team New Zealand staged a stunning comeback to beat Swiss team Alinghi yesterday and level the best-of-nine America's Cup series 1-1. In one of the most exciting races in recent Cup history, Alinghi had led at the first mark after making up ground when they were beaten off the start by New Zealand.

But the Kiwis ground Alinghi down on the second upwind leg to go around the mark with a 15-second lead, extending this downwind to win by 28 seconds.

Not since 1983 has the loser of the opening race gone on to win the Cup, a run the Kiwis are looking to reverse.

Team New Zealand are trying to win back the America's Cup after it was snatched from them in Auckland in 2003 by the well-financed Alinghi syndicate, bankrolled by biotech billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli.

There is more than just national pride at stake, with the winner able to dictate the venue, date and rules of the next Cup.

The jury had been out on whether SUI100, the "rocketship" which the Swiss team had shrouded in secrecy ahead of its racing debut on Saturday would be what decided the 32nd contest.

But yesterday's Team New Zealand victory proved that Alinghi were not invincible.

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