BMW Oracle Racing rallies to beat Italy

American entry BMW Oracle Racing rallied to beat Italian boat Luna Rossa on Tuesday to even its best-of-nine Louis Vuitton Cup semifinal series after two flights.

The Italians, who won the first flight Monday, were first out of the start before the Americans drew within a boat's length on the final lap. BMW Oracle Racing skipper Chris Dickson gybed to a port course tack halfway down the final lap and then held on to cross the finish line 13 seconds ahead.

"I am just in awe of what the guys did _ the guys did an absolutely fantastic job," BMW Oracle Racing syndicate owner and afterguard Larry Ellison said.

"Chris Dickson and the boys did an incredible job of getting us into the lead and then defending when Luna Rossa was right on our wind. It was amazing to watch."

Emirates Team New Zealand crossed the starting line with a boat's length advantage over Desafio Espanol _ as it did in the first flight _ to win by 40 seconds and lead the series 2-0.

The finalists will meet in the June 1-11 Louis Vuitton Cup with the winner advancing to sail against defending champion Alinghi in the America's Cup from June 23-July 4.

Shifting winds tested tacticians from all four teams for the second straight day.

After both skippers took their boats out to a split tack start just as they did in the first flight, Dickson tacked back to keep the Italians from getting away. The Italians matched BMW Oracle Racing move for move to round the first marker ahead by 56 seconds.

The USA-98 yacht continued to hold the downwind speed advantage over the Italians, the Americans cutting the deficit to 20 seconds heading into the last upwind leg.

Both boats then split with BMW Oracle Racing heading left and Luna Rossa right. Near the final marker, Dickson ducked behind the ITA-94 boat as they nearly touched while jostling for position.

Spithill defended the now 14-second advantage, but a poor spinnaker hoist saw the Americans draw even as they got their kite up first to catch the wind.

The Italians attempted to retake the lead as both boats gybed, but the USA-98 boat was too fast and took the lead three-quarters down the final lap.

"Whichever boat puts the bow up and reacts faster had the advantage," said Luna Rossa navigator Michele Ivaldi.

For the Americans, it was all about remaining patient and taking advantage of opportunities.

"We never felt we were out of it. We certainly never gave up," Ellison said. "It was a day of big oscillations in the wind and we played the shifts all the way."

In the other semifinal race, the Kiwis went left as the Spanish boat took extra time to cross the line after tacking off the race committee boat.

The Kiwis stretched the lead in the first lap, rounding the marker with a 1:15 advantage. Desafio Espanol tried to keep pace and cut into the lead, but the Kiwis executed perfectly.

"They ended up with a slightly better start and that was that," Desafio Espanol tactician John Cutler said. "We have to focus hard on the start for the next race."

The third-flight of the match-racing series is scheduled for Wednesday.