There was everything to play for on the last day of racing in the 2005 America’s Cup season.

The final race would decide the winner of the Trapani Louis Vuitton Act 9, and while Alinghi had a stranglehold on the America’s Cup Class Season Championship, teams where fighting to finish as strongly as possible in Act 9 to boost their position on the season championship leaderboard.

Hundreds of spectator boats braved the rough conditions to enjoy the last day of racing in the 2005 Louis Vuitton Acts, and they weren’t disappointed.

The final run to the finish was incredibly tight, with the Spanish boat nosing ahead of BMW Oracle Racing in a ‘photo’ finish. Alinghi was third, a good enough result for it to claim the top of the leaderboard on the tie-break.

In terms of the America’s Cup Class Season Championship, with five wins in six Acts, Alinghi is the class of the fleet. BMW Oracle Racing and Emirates Team New Zealand are fully 10 points in arrears, with the Kiwis getting the nod for second place by virtue of beating the Americans in two of their three match races this year.

Luna Rossa is fourth, followed by Desafío Español and Victory Challenge. The French K-Challenge sneaks ahead of +39 Challenge on a tie break.

The Swiss Defender was presented with prizes for the Louis Vuitton Act 9 title and the America’s Cup Class Season Championship at a ceremony in the America’s Cup Park.

Results of the day (race 5)

1. Desafío, 12 pts
2. BMW Oracle, 11 pts
3. Alinghi, 10 pts
4. Luna Rossa, 9 pts
5. Team NZ, 8 pts
6. Luna Rossa, 7 pts
7. Victory, 6 pts
8. Shosholoza 5 pts
9. Team Germany, 4 pts
10. China Team, 3 pts
11. Mascalzone, 2 pts
12. K-Challenge, 1 pt