Oracle won the America’s Cup in September in one of the most amazing comebacks in the history of sport. The US yacht, owned by technology billionaire Larry Ellison, was 8-1 down in the series in San Francisco Bay, just one point from defeat, but driven on by skipper Jimmy Spithill and guided by tactician Ben Ainslie, the four-time British Olympic gold medallist, they rallied to produce a phenomenal run of eight straight wins for a remarkable 9-8 victory over Emirates Team New Zealand.
In a strategic masterstroke, Ainslie was only brought into the crew midway through the final series with Oracle apparently on the ropes and he brilliantly masterminded the team’s comeback.
