Team New Zealand has a chance to lift the America's Cup today.
Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa start race seven Photo: PHOTOSPORT/ Chris Cameron
The team won races seven and eight yesterday, leaving it just two wins away from hoisting the Auld Mug, in front of a massive crowd expected in Auckland's Viaduct Harbour.
A dramatic back-and-forth second race yesterday finally fell to Team New Zealand, breaking the deadlock with Luna Rossa.
The first six races were split three each, however the two losses now has Luna Rossa with their backs to the wall.
Sailing fans will be packing into Auckland's viaduct this afternoon. Fifty-thousand people watched at the waterfront village over the weekend.
The second race was one for the ages - both boats traded splashdowns, travelling over 70 kilometres an hour at one point and the next minute they were sitting ducks in the water.
Fans were ecstatic at the outcome.
"That was absolutely fantastic!" one said. "Holding my breath, it was amazing - we made it," Ella said.
"That was bloody exciting, wasn't it, it was intense. My watch kept telling me to breathe!" Tania said.
"I feel sorry for [Luna Rossa] but we've got it - another two, that's all," Coen said.
Jimmy Spithill, one of Luna Rossa's two helmsman, has been here before - he skippered Oracle when they fought back and won eight straight against Team New Zealand to snatch the cup away in 2013.
Today's two races are scheduled for 4:15 and 5:15.
