Oracle Team USA and high winds on the San Francisco Bay on Thursday kept challenger Emirates Team New Zealand from the one victory needed to take home yachting's coveted trophy.
Emirates Team New Zealand and Oracle Team USA race during the 34th America's Cup September 19, 2013 in San Francisco.
The US team rallied to win the race held before winds topped safety limits and caused the second match to be postponed until Friday.
The US team seized control of the race at the starting line, hooking the Kiwis and forcing them to tack away and slow while Oracle darted ahead.
The defending champion held the lead into the pivotal upwind third leg of the race, forcing a second split at the third gate and then controlling the downwind leg to the final gate.
Oracle crossed the finish 31 seconds ahead of the Kiwis.
Oracle needs seven more wins to retain possession of yachting's coveted prize. The Kiwis have won eight races and need just one more to wrest the Cup from the USA in the best-of-17 regatta.