The spinnaker incident on Emirates Team NZ NZL-92

The deciding factor in the fifth race of the 32nd America's Cup Match was the unfortunate incident aboard NZL-92 down the first run. While leading the tight race, Emirates Team NZ blew two spinnakers and by the time they had successfully hoisted the third one, Alinghi had built a lead of over 150 meters. Despite the gains in the succeeding legs, the New Zealanders were unable to come back from behind. Alinghi crossed the finish line 19 seconds ahead of them and won a decisive race. The Defender now leads the Match, 3 to 2.

Here is the full sequence of the incident. Due to the large amount of photos our full report from this very exciting race will be published later in the evening.

At the beginning of the first run, the Emirates Team NZ crew had observed a very small tear on the spinnaker and were about to peel and hoist a new one. Valencia, 29 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Unfortunately, right when they were about to start the procedure, the spinnaker broke. Valencia, 29 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

They are hoisting the second spinnaker while dropping the broken first one. Valencia, 29 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The first broken spinnaker is almost dropped but the second one is not hoisted yet. Valencia, 29 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

As Grant Dalton said, there was a chaos made out of sailors and spinnakers aboard NZL-92. Valencia, 29 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Adding insult to injury, the second spinnaker blew as well. Valencia, 29 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The second broken spinnaker was blowing and cost Emirates Team NZ precious time. Valencia, 29 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

They started hoisting the third spinnaker while the second one was blowing. Valencia, 29 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

And as if they didn't have enough problems, spinnaker number 3 was twisting. Valencia, 29 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Finally the third spinnaker was full but the second was still attached. Valencia, 29 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

A whole 5 minutes after the first blow, NZL-92 is finally back to her normal sailing status. Valencia, 29 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Ironically, one hour before the start of the race Emirates Team NZ were practicing spinnaker drops with their two boats. Valencia, 29 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing