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Live blog: Team NZ v Oracle

3rd & 7 37yd

Good morning and welcome to nzherald.co.nz's live coverage of races eight and nine in the America's Cup.

by Kris Shannon 9/14/2013 7:50:08 PM
This is the fifth day of racing between Emirates Team New Zealand and Oracle Team USA, a day in which Team NZ can move within one victory of reclaiming the Auld Mug.

by Kris Shannon 9/14/2013 7:52:26 PM
Team New Zealand are currently on six points, while Oracle are still stranded on minus-one. The Kiwis need three victories to take the trophy and the hosts need an improbable 10.

by Kris Shannon 9/14/2013 7:53:19 PM
I will be providing regular updates of the action, while Herald yachting experts Dana Johannsen and Paul Lewis will be chiming in from San Francisco Bay.

by Kris Shannon 9/14/2013 7:53:54 PM
Oracle looking a little reluctant to get out on the racecourse...they need a bit of a push #AmCup http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BUJUlGNCcAEmVLQ.jpg

by Dana Johannsen via twitter 9/14/2013 7:54:03 PM
Just been for a walk outside. The state of my hair now seems to corroborate that it is quite windy #AmericasCup

by Dana Johannsen via twitter 9/14/2013 7:54:04 PM
The breeze is building on SF Bay - average wind strength currently 16.5 kts, peaking at 17.9. #AmericasCup

by Dana Johannsen via twitter edited by Kris Shannon 9/14/2013 7:54:16 PM
We're about 20 minutes away from racing. Could today be the penultimate day of action or can Oracle manufacture an unlikely comeback?

by Kris Shannon 9/14/2013 7:56:06 PM
Today, of course, could have been the final day of action, had Oracle not played their postponement card on Wednesday morning. But, after Team NZ won both races on Friday, that tactic looks like it was merely delaying the inevitable.

by Kris Shannon 9/14/2013 7:56:59 PM
Conditions look rather fierce in San Francisco today. Check out Paul Lewis' race preview here:

Rough waters for race eight

by Kris Shannon 9/14/2013 7:58:06 PM
2013 America's Cup #sanfrancisco #americascup #21 @ America's Cup Village instagram.com/p/eQN37Bgr6N/

by JP Festa via twitter 9/14/2013 7:59:57 PM
WND Wind 265 at 18.2 kts, 20.6 kts peak

by America's Cup Racing via twitter 9/14/2013 8:00:02 PM
MDS yacht data is public

by America's Cup Racing via twitter 9/14/2013 8:00:36 PM
by Kris Shannon 9/14/2013 8:01:24 PM
WND Wind 265 at 18.2 kts, 19.8 kts peak

by America's Cup Racing via twitter 9/14/2013 8:03:02 PM
G' Afternoon from a beautiful day in Chicago, USA...Very early this morning, I wore BLACK socks for AB vs BOKS...NOW very RED socks for ETNZ...this will be a happiest weekend for us KIWIS...any bet?

by OTAGO75inChicagoUSA 9/14/2013 8:03:15 PM
Well, we just momentarily lost power here at Herald Towers. FIngers crossed that doesn't happen again!

by Kris Shannon 9/14/2013 8:03:50 PM
Dean Barker before the race: 'There's a lot of pressure there but this is what we've been training for.

'Its just going to be a case of doing all the little things well.'

by Kris Shannon 9/14/2013 8:05:44 PM
'It's part of the motivation - we're here to win the Ameica's Cup. But it's still too far away really to picture it. We've just got to make sure we race each race well.'

by Kris Shannon 9/14/2013 8:05:58 PM
Good Morning from Sydney. Good luck TNz

by WazInAuz 9/14/2013 8:06:01 PM
Race one today is definitely getting underway but race two could be in doubt, according to regatta director Iain Murray.

by Kris Shannon 9/14/2013 8:06:46 PM
Go the Mighty KIWI'S

by V8 Power 9/14/2013 8:06:48 PM
give it heaps mateys and remember to keep the boat under the sail !

by Paul Ludgate 9/14/2013 8:07:48 PM
WND Wind 250 at 18.6 kts, 19.8 kts peak

by America's Cup Racing via twitter 9/14/2013 8:08:26 PM
Oracle have made changes to their boat - will they be faster upwind and how will both oats handle the blustery conditions?

by Paul Lewis via twitter 9/14/2013 8:08:28 PM
Only five minutes or so away from racing.

by Kris Shannon 9/14/2013 8:09:16 PM
Quick recap of the course: From the start line they head to the first mark which is a short sprint away. Then it's up the first downwind leg, around mark 2 to begin the only downwind leg, mark 3 leads them to the final downwind leg before they round round 4 for a short sprint to the finish line.

by Kris Shannon 9/14/2013 8:09:25 PM
I was a fan of Oracle, but the kiwis deserve the win based on how well they have performed

by Darren 9/14/2013 8:09:35 PM
Sucks that I live in USA and cannot watch the live racing...thanks NZ Herald for the live blog!

by SFKiwi 9/14/2013 8:09:46 PM
From Toronto...proud kiwi...go NZ

by aquaman 9/14/2013 8:09:51 PM
Both boats are about to enter the pre-start area.

by Kris Shannon 9/14/2013 8:11:02 PM
Team NZ from Toronto in full force.. Do us proud !

by NZCDN 9/14/2013 8:11:04 PM
a boat will break in half today, not sure which one, but it will happen. Hope everyone will be ok

by boat broken in half 9/14/2013 8:11:54 PM
Race 1 (NZL,USA): Warning, 3:00 until start

by America's Cup Racing via twitter 9/14/2013 8:12:00 PM
Let's hope not! That would be almost as disastrous as another power cut in my newsroom...

by Kris Shannon 9/14/2013 8:12:15 PM
Ready to follow the blog from Lucca in Italy. Go well TNZ.

by Mike 9/14/2013 8:12:22 PM
Go ETNZ get that cup Beat the cheats

by ETNZ supporter 9/14/2013 8:12:31 PM
NZL Began Entry

by America's Cup Racing via twitter 9/14/2013 8:12:54 PM
Only two minutes away from the official start now as Team NZ enter the starting box.

by Kris Shannon 9/14/2013 8:13:03 PM
USA Began Entry

by America's Cup Racing via twitter 9/14/2013 8:13:06 PM
if they win I hope there is enough beer in NZ

by aquaman 9/14/2013 8:13:09 PM
Everybody, pls change yr socks to RED, if U not already one so..PLS

by OTAGO75inChicagoUSA 9/14/2013 8:13:19 PM
Someone get Kris a generator!

by tommie 9/14/2013 8:13:28 PM
Good call, Tommie. Apologies in advance if I go dark for a minute or so...

by Kris Shannon 9/14/2013 8:13:47 PM
Oracle shorter bow spirit to increase angle on attack for better upwind...

by SFKiwi 9/14/2013 8:14:00 PM