Oracle Team USA Defeats Team New Zealand Winning America's Cup

Oracle Team USA Defeats Team New Zealand Winning America's Cup

America's Cup, or the “Auld Mug,” is the grand prize awarded to the winner of the America's Cup match races between two sailing yacht teams, as well as the oldest trophy in international sports. On September 25, 2013 in San Francisco Bay, Oracle Team USA defeated Emirates Team New Zealand to win the 34th America's Cup match by a score of nine to eight.

Oracle chief executive officer Russell Coutts recruited the team for the 34th Cup from among the world's best sailors. After Oracle's victory, Coutts cited not only new technology, but also the crew's superior technique and growing confidence. Oracle's skipper and helmsman James (“Jimmy”) Spithill was nominated for the 2014 Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award.

Oracle Team USA was named after owner Larry Ellison's successful database software company. Ellison, who has had a lifelong passion for sailing, is the fifth richest man in the world and the third richest American.