Intro:

Oracle Racing Spithill have closed the gap on leaders Emirates team New Zealand after day 3 of the America's Cup World Series off the coast of Naples.

They had the best day on Friday (13th April) across the two fleet races, with two second-place finishes.

Script:

Naples offered a new challenge to the nine crews competing in the America's Cup World Series on Friday, as light offshore winds battled an onshore swell.

After they dominated both races on Thursday, Emirates Team New Zealand struggled to recover from an early penalty and trailed the fleet for a long time before they stole two places towards the end to finish seventh in the days opening encounter.

Energy Team fought off the close attention of Team Korea early on, to sail away and win the race in a soft north-easterly wind.

ORACLE Racing Spithill were patient, they chipped away and climbed up to finish second to overhaul Luna Rossa Piranha and relegated the Italians to third in the latter stages of the race.

In Race two, just like they had in the first encounter, China team got an outstanding start and were amongst the early leaders, but Fred Le Peutrec's team were unable to keep up the pace and have yet to finish outside last place.

Emirates Team New Zealand didn't start so well, but tactician Ray Davies picked his way through the holes in the light breeze, they climbed up to 2nd before stole 1st place from arch-rivals Oracle Racing Spithill on the final lap.

The two Luna Rossa boats sailed a solid race in front of the Naples sea front, Swordfish and Piranha finished third and fourth respectively.

It was a good day for Oracle - Jimmy Spithill's American team gained four points on the leaders Emirates Team New Zealand, almost halving the gap at the top of the standings.