Oracle breaks spinnaker pole but still beats OneWorld

Oracle extended its undefeated run to nine races this afternoon, and OneWorld's USA-65 remained winless after two starts, in the Louis Vuitton Cup regatta.

After a long dial-up on day two of the challenger series quarter finals, both yachts held head-to-wind and slid backwards for more than two minutes before breaking off.

At the gun, both yachts were on starboard tack, with Oracle USA-76 to windward and very slightly ahead, hitting the line at pace.

The first beat was a test of strength, with the yachts showing very similar boatspeed. USA-76 controlled the right-hand side and used the starboard advantage to gain control.

For the next two legs, OneWorld was not able to make any impression, but on the second run skipper Peter Gilmour, helmsman James Spithill and crew broke off to the right hand side, while USA-76 let them go.

By the end of the leg, that decision proved costly for the Oracle BMW Racing team. OneWorld were back in the game and very close. They kept it that way up the final windward leg and then it was all on for the run to the finish.

USA-76 continued to lead, but then disaster struck as their spinnaker pole broke against the forestay. This was a similar situation to the second round match against Sweden's Victory Challenge.

Once again, the Oracle BMW Racing crew were impressive under intense pressure as they wrapped the broken pole in a splint and got it working again.

Trying desperately to use the situation to their advantage, OneWorld attacked repeatedly from behind, but skipper Chris Dickson, helmsman Peter Holmberg and the USA-76 crew kept their composure and nursed their yacht across the line to take their second win in the best-of-seven battle.

As on the first day of the quarterfinals yesterday, Oracle went into the race without John Cutler, a New Zealander who had been a regular member of the afterguard in the two round robin sections of the competition.

Spokeswoman Joanna Ingley said Cutler's absence was just part of the team's crew rotation policy.

That is what Oracle said about the absence of syndicate boss Larry Ellison early in the second round, shortly after he appointed Chris Dickson to the position of team skipper, and he has not been back in the racing team since.

Winds: SSW 15k

Winning margin: 00.17

USA-76 leads the best-of-seven series 2-0

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