| Young America on the brink Associated Press AUCKLAND, New Zealand -- Young America is on the brink of elimination in the America's Cup challenger series. Young America, seventh in the race for the six semifinal spots, lost to America True on Sunday to fall 17 points behind sixth-place Le Defi Francais with just two races left in the third-round robin. With each race winner receiving nine points, Young America needs two victories and two Le Defi Francais losses to qualify for the next stage. Le Defi beat Young Australia on Sunday when the Australian boat failed to finish the race. Le Defi faces America True on Monday, when Young America races against Young Australia. On Tuesday, coincidentally, Le Defi and Young America square off against each other, possibly to determine the final berth in the semifinals. Dennis Conner's Stars and Stripes clinched a semifinal berth Sunday with its victory over AmericaOne, and Italy's Prada maintained the series lead with a win over Abracadabra. Prada leads the series with 109 points, followed by America True (101), AmericaOne (99), Nippon (92.5), Stars and Stripes (81.5), Le Defi Francais (68), Young America (51), Spanish Challenge (44), Abracadabra (43) and Young Australia (18). The four-month regatta will decide which of the 10 remaining teams takes on defender New Zealand for sailing's most prized trophy in a best-of-9 series starting in February. | ||
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