Smash hit

Race four: Alinghi 2 Emirates Team New Zealand 2

Alinghi won by 30sec in overcast race conditions that saw windspeed vary between 8-10 knots with lumpy waves.

The Swiss led all the way and managed to hold its own in a tacking duel on the final beat to cross the line for a morale-boosting win after two successive losses.

Race five: Alinghi 3 Emirates Team New Zealand 2

Alinghi won by 19sec in moderate conditions that saw windspeed vary between 12-14 knots with short, choppy waves.

The Kiwis had the better start but were left cursing themselves after disaster struck midway down the second leg, Team New Zealand's spinnaker sail ripping and the replacement twisting up.

Alinghi cruised past and hit the third mark 26sec up, and a comfortable final beat saw them home with ease.

Race six: Alinghi 4 Emirates Team New Zealand 2

Alinghi won by 28sec in perfect sailing conditions that saw windspeed vary between 7-10 knots with calm seas.

Team New Zealand led over the first two legs but on the second upwind leg, SUI 100 managed a great pass, hitting the third mark 16sec in front of the Kiwis.

Despite Team New Zealand at one point cutting their lead to just one boatlength, Alinghi kept up their momentum to win the drag race through to the finishing line.

Race seven: Alinghi 5 Emirates Team New Zealand 2

Alinghi won by just 1sec to claim the best-of-nine series 5-2 and retain the "Auld Mug" - world sport's oldest trophy after being first awarded in 1851.

SUI 100's spinnaker pole flew off the mast and the sail into the water with just a couple of hundred metres to go the line, leaving them at a standstill with the wind dropping.

NZL 92 steamed past the stricken Swiss but had to perform a penalty turn before the finishing line after earlier encroaching on Alinghi's run-up for the third mark.

The Kiwis performed the double-tack manouevre impeccably but by the time they had finished, Alinghi had regained enough speed to just edge their bow ahead for a thrilling win.