America's Cup 2024: Final results as New Zealand beat…

America's Cup 2024: Final results as New Zealand beat Great Britain

Emirates Team New Zealand won the 37th America's Cup by clinching match point for a 7-2 victory over INEOS Britannia on Saturday.

New Zealand's eight-man crew embraced and cheered on the deck of the 75-foot Taihoro after holding Britannia off to win Race 9.

"It is just sinking in. What an amazing day, this team has been amazing, what an amazing feeling," New Zealand skipper Peter Burling said after his America's Cup finals-record 22nd race win.

New Zealand secured a three-peat after also winning the oldest trophy in international sport in 2017 and 2021. It was the Pacific island nation's fifth cup in total.

Burling and the New Zealand team posed behind a winner's banner as a fleet of fan boats gathered around and sounded horns in celebration.

"It has been a huge journey and I have loved every minute of it," New Zealand helmsman Nathan Outteridge said after his first cup title, compared to No 3. for Burling, his steering partner.

Britain has never won the America's Cup in its 173-year history. They were competing in their first final in six decades.

"A huge well done to Team New Zealand, what an amazing campaign and team," Britannia skipper Ben Ainslie said. "In my view they are the best team ever in the America's Cup.

New Zealand dominated the best-of-13 final off the Barcelona beachfront by sweeping the first four races.

Britannia bounced back with two wins on the same day in choppy waters and light winds, but the Kiwis then ran off three straight victories to wrap it up.

The Brits put up a fight in the final race, pulling level midway through, only for Taihoro, which means "To move swiftly as the sea between both sky and earth," blocked their passing attempt and then sped off to win by a comfortable margin.

"We had our moments in the finals but at the end of the day the better team won," Ainslie said.

Here’s everything you need to know...

America’s Cup 2024: How it works

The America’s Cup began in 1851 and sees two teams square off in a best-of-13 format. A team wins the competition when they reach seven victories.

Every race is split into six legs. The two teams race upwind on the opening leg before sailing downwind on the second, repeating that process until all six legs are complete. The team who have won the most legs will claim a point towards their target of seven.

The waters of Port Olimpic in Barcelona host this year’s America’s Cup. It is a 3.2km course and boasts must stay within a 0.9km width restriction. A penalty is issued to a team that goes too far.