Quite simply, they were faster than Oracle Team USA. Oracle Team USA have closed the gap speed-wise, especially upwind, and with more even boat-speed, two things become more critical. In today's racing, Spithill and Oracle Team USA managed their starts very well. Team Oracle USA did that job better today. I certainly did not think Oracle Team USA had the ability to close the gap over the five-day period, as they appear to have done.

Source: New Zealand Herald June 24, 2017 23:26 UTC