Emirates Team New Zealand has won the Louis Vuitton Trophy over defending America’s Cup champion BMW Oracle Racing.
The final in Dubai on Saturday marks the last series for America’s Cup class boats as sailing moves into the multi-hull era of 72-foot, wing-sail catamarans.
The Kiwis, led by skipper Dean Barker, staged a dramatic run in the final minutes of the first race, erasing a nearly 150-yard lead by James Spithill’s BMW Oracle team.
In the second race in the best-of-three finals, New Zealand crossed the line 350 yards in front.
The race came after the New Zealand team paid tribute to the 29 coal miners killed in an explosion last week at the Pike River Coal mine.