The American BMW Oracle Racing team has won the Louis Vuitton Act 10 in Valencia.

The Americans beat Luna Rossa Challenge in Flight 11 to move into a four-way tie with the other leading teams. Although they have sailed one less match than the other teams, BMW Oracle Racing pops out the top on the tie-breaking procedure to confirm the top spot.

It’s the first Louis Vuitton Act victory for BMW Oracle Racing since the opening Act in Marseille in 2004, when there were just six teams competing. The American team will likely still sail its last match, scheduled for Wednesday, against +39 Challenge, to improve its position on the challenger rankings, although it won’t affect the overall results for Act 10.

If the Americans win on Wednesday they finish clear ahead on points in both the Act and for the Louis Vuitton Challenger Rankings.

Equal tonight on nine points with BMW Oracle Racing is Luna Rossa Challenge, Emirates Team New Zealand and Alinghi.

Under the tie-breaking rules, the championship is decided on the best performance in head to head matches between the tied teams. BMW Oracle Racing and Luna Rossa both have 2 -1 records, and as the Americans beat Luna Rossa, they end up on top, with the Italians in second place.

Emirates Team New Zealand ends up third by virtue of defeating Alinghi in their match.

Further down the table, the home Spanish team, Desafío Español 2007 won its last match over Victory Challenge to draw level with the Swedes on points, and win that tie-break for fifth place.

Flight 10 Results

BMW Oracle def. Desafío (0'25'')
Alinghi def. Victory (2'33'')
Team NZ lost to Luna Rossa (1'08'')
Mascalzone Latino def. Shosholoza (0'15'')
China Team lost to Areva Challenge (1'48'')
+39 Challenge def. Team Germany (0'38'')

Flight 11 Results

Desafío Español def. Victory Challenge (DNF)
BMW Oracle def. Luna Rossa (1'38'')
Alinghi lost to Team NZ (0'16'')
Shosholoza def. China Team (1'27'')
Mascalzone Latino def. Team Germany (2'28'')
Areva Challenge lost to +39 Challenge (0'31'')