Oracle fight back

Oracle must win four of the remaining five races

Oracle kept their America's Cup hopes alive with victory in race four of the challenger final on Thursday.

The American team beat Alinghi by two minutes and 13 seconds, but the Swiss outfit still lead the series 3-1.

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Difficult, shifting wind conditions in the Hauraki Gulf off Auckland caused the start of the race to be delayed.

But after losing out by the narrowest of margins in race three, Oracle finally secured a victory in the best-of-nine series.

The winners of the Louis Vuitton Cup challenger final will sail against holders Team New Zealand in the 31st America's Cup in February.

"There has been a tremendous effort by a lot of people here and it's great to finally get something to show for it in this series," said Oracle skipper Chris Dickson.

"We've been disappointed not to get more points so far. Now we've got one and tomorrow we'll be trying really hard to make it two," he said.