It hardly seems right but Alinghi are crowned champions of the Cup world after one of the most bizarre races ever held in this strange event. It looked like the Gods would be smiling on TNZ after they seized the lead on the first downwind leg and then incurred a penalty on the second upwind leg. The Kiwis looked dead and buried but they came back at Alinghi as the wind faded, forced a spinnaker handling error, took the lead and then exonerated themselves with a turn just before the finish in 4 knots of breeze whilst leading. The turn was agonising as Alinghi pulled level and at the death it was the Swiss by just 2 seconds...

Alinghi take the Cup. It was close. So very, very close and the 5-2 scoreline is highly flattering. It could so easily have been TNZ's glory but in the end Alinghi were just irrepressible.

Photos and much champagne spraying to follow but you have to say that Alinghi are the least convincing champions of the last 25 years...

Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget (www.martin-raget.com)