American sail competitor BMW Oracle Racing's 90-by-90-foot trimaran, USA, flew into the starting box with its windward and center hulls out of the water on a chilly but clear day, an amazing sight after the race had been postponed by bad weather conditions on Monday and Wednesday.

USA helmsman Jimmy Spithill came in on favored starboard tack and steered straight at Alinghi 5, representing defending race champion Alinghi of Switzerland. The Swiss wanted to sail in front of USA, although didn't have enough speed leaving both of the boats having to tack. USA then raised a protest flag, and the umpire in a trailing boat agreed. Meaning that the equally immense catamaran of Alinghi 5 has no choice but to perform a 270-degree turn at some point during 40-mile race. Spithill somehow managed to stall USA, and Alinghi 5 sprinted off the line ahead. Although the American boat, featuring a 223-foot wing sail was able to slowly close the gap overtaking Alinghi 5 on the 20-mile first leg into the wind.

Today's race marks the first time that multihulls have competed against each other in the 159-year history of the America's Cup, the result of a bitter, 2 1/2-year legal battle between American Larry Ellison and Swiss Ernesto Bertarelli. Bertarelli is steering Alinghi 5. Ellison leaped off USA and into a chase approximately 50 minutes prior to the race, apparently because of light wind and weight restrictions. USA and Alinghi 5 are the fastest, most technologically advanced sail boats in America's Cup history.The opening race of the best-of-three series will conclude with a 20-mile downwind leg.