Skipper Spithill vows to fightback

HAMILTON — Skipper Jimmy Spithill was in full “Pitbull” mode Saturday after piloting defenders Oracle Team USA to their first victory over New Zealand in the 35th America’s Cup.

Invoking Oracle’s miraculous comeback of 2013 — when they erased a 1-8 deficit to triumph 9-8 in San Francisco, Spithill said the syndicate backed by billionaire Larry Ellison would only get better from here. “We know we can do a better job techniquewise,” said Spithill, whose team were handed two penalties in Saturday’s opener, which they lost by more than two minutes. “Clearly we didn’t do that in the first race.” —