BARCELONA, Sept. 5 (Xinhua) -- A busy day of racing in the second-round robin of the America's Cup ended on Thursday with the Swiss Alinghi Red Bull Racing yacht taking an important win, while Emirates Team New Zealand won two races and the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli also won a regatta.
The Alihghi Red Bull Racing win lifted them above France's Orient Express yacht in the standings, which is vital as the bottom of the group will be eliminated from the tournament on Sunday.
"I think today was the combination of everything that we know to do and have learned," commented co-skipper Arnaud Psarofaghis after their win.
"I think we just need to be confident in what we do and just go for it, and we saw today, anyone can win a race," he added.
Luna Rossa's port helm, Francesco Bruni was also pleased at the win that leaves his team top of the standings, saying his crew wants to "get better and better and we know that in the America's Cup this phase is the most important one to how fast you are and to grow, so it's a never-ending story for us."
The reigning champions of New Zealand were also pleased after a positive day in the waters off Barcelona.
"We've got the weekend to finish off now, then into a development phase for a few more weeks and watching to see how the Challenger racing goes," commented Nathan Outteridge, port helm on their vessel.
"Any of the teams can win if they get a good start and get going," he added.
Meanwhile Britain's Ben Ainslie tried to be positive after defeats to Emirates Team New Zealand and NYYC American Magic.
"It's hard to come off the water after getting two losses - nobody likes that. But, at the same time, we have to take the positives from these races and for sure we're getting closer to some other teams in performance in these light airs and in certain areas where we've been struggling a little bit," said the skipper of the INEOS Britannia. ■
