Oracle closing gap on Kiwis

SAN FRANCISCO: Oracle Team USA notched a pair of wins in the America’s Cup on Sunday, repeatedly denying the Kiwis the one victory they need to claim yachting’s top prize.

The Americans beat the Kiwis across the finish in Races 14 and 15, staving off a death blow in the regatta.

‘‘We let ourselves down today,’’ New Zealand skipper Dean Barker said.

‘‘We’ve had a tough few days; things have gone against us but I am certain we can bounce back.’’

The Kiwis claimed their eighth win in the regatta on Sept 18, but have been bedevilled by a tenacious Oracle team and wind conditions that caused races to be abandoned or postponed.

The USA now need four consecutive wins to retain possession of the Cup, while New Zealand remain just a single win away from triumph.

The Kiwis jumped across the start a nose ahead in Race 15 but the USA man- aged to slip in front and round the first mark with a lead of a few seconds.

The Americans built on the lead, laying claim to more favourable sections of the course and denying the Kiwis a chance to close the gap.

The USA crossed the finish 37 seconds ahead of New Zealand. The outcome was similar in the first race of the day.

The Americans crossed the start nearly even with challenger Zealand in Race 14 but forced them to a side of the course and then darted ahead.

Oracle proved sightly quicker, outmanoeuvring the Kiwis to extend the lead as the course split at the second mark with the America’s heading toward Alcatraz Island and New Zealand going toward the San Francisco waterfront.

The Kiwis pressed hard in the pivotal upwind third leg, pulling within 25 metres at times, but the American’s fended off the advances. Oracle crossed the finish 23 seconds ahead of the Kiwis.