Team New Zealand rallies to surprise Alinghi

Team New Zealand staged a stunning comeback to beat Alinghi on Sunday off Valencia, Spain, levelling the best-of-nine America’s Cup series 1-1 and ending a 16-race winning streak for a group of Kiwis on the Swiss team.

In one of the most exciting races in recent Cup history, Alinghi led at the first mark despite being beaten off the start by New Zealand after a closely fought pre-match duel.

But the Kiwis ground Alinghi down on the second upwind leg and the balance of the race shifted on one critical tack, with Team New Zealand rounding the final mark with a 15-second lead.

“It was a complicated race and we made a mistake on the second upwind leg. We tacked too early, we should have remained high above them,” said Alinghi crew member Francesco Rapetti.

Team New Zealand extended their gain downwind to win convincingly by 28 seconds, dispelling any idea of Alinghi’s newly-built SUI100 having a clear speed advantage.

“It all felt good on board ... It’s going to be all on, as you can see. We just need to keep our feet on the ground and keep sailing our boat,” said New Zealand crew member Tony Rae.

Not since 1983 has the loser of the opening race gone on to win the Cup.

PRO BASKETBALL

Durant works out for the SuperSonics

Former Texas forward Kevin Durant spent about 45 minutes working out for Seattle SuperSonics officials, almost certain that his pro future will begin in the Pacific Northwest.

Durant’s workout for the SuperSonics came two days after he put on a sterling performance for the Portland Trail Blazers. Portland General Manager Kevin Pritchard called Durant’s workout “as impressive a workout as any I’ve seen in here.”

Portland owns the No. 1 pick. Seattle selects second.

Durant said he wasn’t given any feedback from SuperSonics officials.

Unlike Durant’s workout with the Trail Blazers, his session with the SuperSonics was closed to the media. New Seattle General Manager Sam Presti and other team officials weren’t made available to comment. Durant said that SuperSonics owner Clay Bennett attended.

Center Greg Oden met with SuperSonics officials Friday but did not work out.

MISCELLANY

World record-holder Powell injured in victory

World record-holder Asafa Powell strained his groin while winning the 100 meters in 10.04 seconds at the Jamaican track and field championships, his brother, Nigel, said.

Dew Cup champion Nate Adams won the freestyle motocross event at the Dew Action Sports Tour’s Panasonic Open in Baltimore.

Daniel Dhers, who took the Dew Cup for BMX park as a Tour rookie last season, won this year with a score of 93.17.

Adams scored a 95.67 with multiple backflips.