Oracle ends OneWorld's America's Cup hopes

SAN FRANCISCO’S Oracle raced to victory over OneWorld of Seattle yesterday for the right to take on Switzerland’s Alinghi for a place in the America’s Cup next year.

Oracle beat its rival by one minute and four seconds in a semi-final repechage for a clean sweep four-to-minus-one, with OneWorld carrying a minus-one penalty for breaking competition rules.

The result set up a United States vs Europe final next month for the Louis Vuitton Cup, the challenge round of the America’s Cup, with the winner going through to meet cup holders Team New Zealand in February.