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Swiss champions top Kiwis to level the America's Cup

Alinghi kept its game plan simple.

The defending champion sailed smart from the start on Wednesday and overcame the challengers from New Zealand in the fourth race to level the best-of-nine America's Cup series at 2-2.

"We need to win five, that's all that matters," Alinghi owner and crew member Ernesto Bertarelli said.

The Swiss yacht lost the third race at the finish line in ever-changing weather conditions on Tuesday that made the course unpredictable. This time, Alinghi kept Emirates Team New Zealand close and dictated the race for a 30-second win.

"Even though we had a very hard day ... it was easier, not much easier, but a bit easier to control this regatta," Bertarelli said.

Alinghi skipper Brad Butterworth put in a superb performance after the Swiss started off on the right for the first time in the series and never gave up the starboard advantage. The Kiwis attempted to engage the Swiss, but the SUI-100 yacht answered every move.

"The winds have been very volatile and it's been a difficult race course -- the previous two days we lost races while getting out of phase," Butterworth said. "We've started well throughout the regatta and sometimes it doesn't go your way. It's tough sailing and everyday we hope to win, so it's a great day for us."

The victory means the race to win the Auld Mug, the oldest trophy in international sports, is guaranteed to be the closest since 1983, when Australia II came from behind on the final leg to win the series against Liberty 4-3 and take the America's Cup away from the US for the first time in its history.
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