The Swiss Alinghi team have won the 32nd America's Cup (5/2) after one of the most nail-biting races in history.

Team New Zealand picked up a penalty in a port/starboard incident while in the lead at the final windward mark but clawed back the lead on the final run when Alinghi lost their spinnaker pole in the closing stages of the race.

Team New Zealand completed their penalty turn just before the finish line but were overhauled by the Swiss team who won the race by just two seconds.

Commenting on their win Brad Butterworth, skipper said: "This is a fantastic day for Alinghi, to win the America's Cup again after four years of hard work! The crew, the designers and the shore team have done an incredible job throughout the series, we have fought hard against a strong challenger and have won. We'll be celebrating tonight!"
 
Alinghi was the first European team to win tWatch out for Matt Sheahan's detailed report on yachtingworld.com later today


Sue Pelling/Yachting World, 3 July 2007