Oracle Team USA and skipper Jimmy Spithill pushed hard, finishing ahead of Ben Ainslie #racing in the first race of the day, but Ainslie was able to sail with controlled aggression to a 4, 2, 3 scoreline, and into the overall series win.
“This has been a goal for us for the whole season and for this #event. The guys have done an incredible job,” Ainslie said from the water following the second race of the day.
“For us as a new team it sends out a strong message for all our supporters that we can do it.“
For the America’s Cup World Series Fukuoka, it came down to a tie-break with BAR clawing into a tie with Artemis #racing (SWE) in the final contest, and taking the regatta by virtue of a better result in the last race.
But with attention shifting to Bermuda and the America’s Cup racing next year, the focus was on the overall title and bonus points it confers.
By taking first place on the overall America’s Cup World Series leaderboard, BAR has collected two bonus points to carry forward into next year’s America’s Cup Qualifiers in Bermuda.
With a second place finish on the overall leaderboard, Oracle Team USA secured one bonus point for the America’s Cup Qualifiers next year.
America’s Cup World Series 2016: 1. Land Rover BAR 512, 2. Oracle Team USA 493, 3. Emirates Team New Zealand 485, 4. Artemis #racing 466, 5. SoftBank Team Japan 460, 6. Groupama Team France 419
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