Team New Zealand knocked off Alinghi and BMW Oracle Racing to run a perfect record in the round robin.

This earns the Kiwis the right to choose their opponent for the next stage of the competition and, at a press conference in the Port America’s Cup Media Centre following racing, Dean Barker announced his team would choose to race BMW Oracle Racing in its semi-final. That leaves Alinghi and Luna Rossa to race in the other pair in the top division.

To complete its perfect run, Emirates Team New Zealand had to navigate its way through treacherous conditions on a difficult day of shifting winds and variable pressure on the waters off Valencia. The team made bold decisions in both races and were rewarded with handy leads.

The racing on Wednesday was important up and down the table. Desafío Español won both its matches to claim fifth spot overall and top of the ‘second division’. Desafío Español skipper Karol Jablonski elected to race against Shosholoza, leaving Victory Challenge to face Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team.

Shosholoza backed into the final second division placing, losing both its matches on the day, but advancing from a three-way tie break over Areva Challenge and +39 Challenge.

The French Areva Challenge will top the third division and Thierry Peponnet selected China Team for its opponent, with United Internet Team Germany and +39 Challenge making up the final pair.

Racing in the semi-finals is scheduled to begin on Friday afternoon. Each series will be won by the first team to earn two points.

Flight 10 - Results

Mascalzone Latino lost to BMW Oracle (1:52)
Luna Rossa def. Shosholoza (1:57)
Team NZ def. Alinghi (1:12)
Victory def. Areva Challenge (1:33)
Desafío def. China Team (0:45)
Team Germany lost to +39 Challenge (0:21)

Flight 11 - Results

Shosholoza lost to Mascalzone Latino (0:04)
Team NZ def. BMW Oracle (1:14)
Luna Rossa def. Alinghi (1:13)
Victory lost to Desafío (0:59)
+39 Challenge lost to Areva Challenge (1:25)
China Team lost to Team Germany (1:20)