Despite the veneer of civility, fighting over the Cup began almost as soon as it came to the U.S. British challengers in the late 1800s complained first that they were forced to sailagainst entire fleets of defending yachts (the New York Yacht Club eventually agreed to race one defender).
Desafio Espanol stayed five ahead of fifth-place Victory Challenge of Sweden with three matches to sail, while the Swedes won their duel against France's Areva Challenge by 35 seconds.