Oracle Team USA beat Kiwis in key America's Cup qualifier
Holders Oracle Team USA defeated Emirates Team New Zealand on Saturday to win the round-robin phase of qualifying for the 35th America's Cup.
The victory means Team USA will go into the America's Cup match, which starts on June 17 on Bermuda's Great Sound, with one bonus point.
"We just won a race in the Cup," USA tactician Tom Slingsby told the Oracle crew after they crossed the line 29 seconds in front of Team New Zealand.
Both teams now have eight points in the round-robin standings. Oracle had one race remaining, against Britain's Land Rover BAR later on Saturday.
But even if the teams finish level atop the standings, Team USA own the tiebreaker.
Once round-robin action is completed, Team USA will head to the sidelines as four would-be challengers -- New Zealand, Britain, SoftBank Team Japan and Artemis Racing Sweden -- battle it out in the qualifying semi-finals and final for the right to race for the Cup.
Groupama Team France were eliminated from contention on Friday.