Swiss challengers Alinghi became the first European team to win the America's Cup when they beat holders New Zealand 5-0 in the best-of-nine series held in the Hauraki Gulf off Auckland.
Led by syndicate chief Ernesto Bertarelli, the victory was a personal triumph for former New Zealand skipper Russell Coutts, who broke Dennis Conner's record of 13 America's Cup race victories. Coutts' five wins this year added to the nine he earned with Team New Zealand in 1995 and 2000. He has also now equalled Charlie Barr and Harold Vanderbilt by winning three consecutive America's Cups.
