Tactics and very careful helming were vital.
Alinghi won because they were smart, and I believe they do have a slight edge in boat speed.
Initially, both teams were lobbying for the left at the startline.
Oracle BMW Racing got that advantage, but what Russell Coutts and Brad Butterworth did so well was to keep the boats so close together down at the pin end that the advantage for Oracle was minimal.
The teams set themselves up for the first cross, and although I thought Oracle were going to make it, they weren't able to get across.
When they converged, Oracle tacked to leeward under Alinghi, and it was still advantage to Oracle.
Alinghi were on starboard, in the windward position, which should have been a disadvantage, but they were able to hang in there for about a minute.
Through very careful helming, and trimming, they were able to stay there long enough to take advantage of the big right-hand shift.
They were going very nicely by the first mark - a 47s advantage after one windward beat is a telling margin.
Alinghi had worked themselves into a position to dominate, and you heard Butterworth saying, "We were very strong off the startline."
Another telling moment was on the first run.
Alinghi gybed and Oracle chose to carry on and do a gybe peel. It looked as though they may have taken a bit of a gamble, and it didn't pay.
Alinghi also looked like they used an older genoa once they had a comfortable lead.
With all the time they've had off since the semifinals, it's clear Alinghi have improved their boat yet again.
Two keys were that first cross and Alinghi's ability to survive in a disadvantaged position.
* Peter Lester is Yachting New Zealand's high performance manager.
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<i>Peter Lester:</i> Alinghi edge result of speed and smart sailing
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