| | AUCKLAND, New Zealand -- Dennis Conner's Stars and Stripes, AmericaOne and Prada opened the America's Cup challenger semifinals with victories Sunday.
Stars and Stripes beat Nippon by 55 seconds, AmericaOne edged Le Defi Francais by 22 seconds, and Prada beat America True by a minute to extend the Italian syndicate's winning streak over the American boat to four.
Racing conditions were ideal, with a solid 15-knot breeze on the standard six-leg, 18.5-mile course.
The six-team semifinals, with each boat racing the others twice, continues Monday (Sunday in the United States) with Prada taking on Stars and Stripes, America True facing AmericaOne, and Nippon racing Le Defi Francais.
The top two teams will advance to a nine-race series, with the winner facing Team New Zealand for the America's Cup in another nine-race series. | |
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