Alinghi nosed across the finish line ahead of rival Team New Zealand to win the America's Cup on Tuesday, retaining sailing's most prestigious trophy for landlocked Switzerland.
Skipper Brad Butterworth guided the Swiss yacht to a second straight America's Cup victory in strong and steady wind off Valencia, Spain.
Alinghi crossed the finish line after giving up a penalty advantage and big lead in the first leg. Both boats sailed across the line nearly even, with the Swiss bow barely edging over the line first after a tense final 200 yards. It was the most closely fought series in 24 years.
"To win at the last second, it's unbelievable," Alinghi owner Ernesto Bertarelli said. "It's done a lot for the sport. It's got my heart."
Switzerland became only the third nation in the history of the 156-year race to successfully defend the sporting's oldest trophy after America's unbroken winning streak that ended at the hands of Australia in 1983. Alinghi swiped the prize from Team New Zealand in waters off Auckland, New Zealand, four years ago.
Swiss President Micheline Calmy-Rey congratulated the team, saying the victory showed "we Swiss find our way at sea, not just in the mountains."
Alinghi's giant spinnaker flew out as the wind shifted suddenly, and the Kiwis were able to make up a large deficit and perform a penalty turn assessed on the last lap. But the SUI-100 yacht hung on and more than made up the distance by the finish.
The hazy summer day provided even conditions across the race course and a steady and full sea breeze - the reason Alinghi chose the Spanish port city to host the 32nd edition - for the first time all series.
It was a fine end to the closest and most exciting regatta since 1983, when Australia II rallied for a 4-3 series win over Liberty, wrestling the Auld Mug from American shores for the first time in the competition's history.
From The Associated Press
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