"Any time we lose, it's a big loss," Alinghi skipper Brad Butterworth said. "On the first beat we looked pretty powerful ... and on the second beat they just sort of rolled into us really."

In 2003, the team from landlocked Switzerland shocked sailing powerhouse New Zealand by defeating the Kiwis 5-0 at home to take the cup to Europe for this first time in more than 150 years. Sunday's win means the America's Cup will not be a sweep for the first time since 1992, four editions past.

"I've lost a lot of races since then ... it's only every four years, I'll get over it," said Butterworth, who lost for the first time in 17 America's Cup races.

The start mirrored the first race, with the Kiwis getting off the line quicker as both boats took a starboard course. Emirates Team New Zealand's early lead was short-lived as Alinghi pushed out in front after tacking to port halfway up the first leg.

The Swiss yacht stretched its lead to two boat-lengths and reached the first marker 19 seconds ahead.

The Kiwis cut the lead to 13 seconds around the second mark, then gained on the left side of the course up the third leg. Emirates Team New Zealand pushed ahead of Alinghi and around the final marker with the advantage before covering the Swiss yacht down the final leg to snap a six-race losing streak to the Swiss yacht.

Emirates Team New Zealand is only the second team in 20 flights of the current Louis Vuitton Cup challengers' series to win after trailing around the first marker. The other was BMW Oracle Racing.

The America's Cup was named for its first winner, the New York schooner America, with the Auld Mug considered the oldest trophy in international sport.

The third-flight of the best-of-nine series is scheduled for Tuesday.

Challenger Emirates Team New Zealand had favorable light conditions as it looked to even the score after Alinghi won the opening flight by 35 seconds.

The Swiss pushed out to the left before tacking to cover, getting a lead of two boat-lengths before crossing, which had usually been decisive at this America's Cup's challenger series.

Alinghi maintained the lead after jibing to the right on the first downwind leg as it battled through wakes coming off the spectator fleet.

But the Swiss yacht's jibes were stiff and the Kiwis ate into the lead. Emirates Team New Zealand pulled ahead after Butterworth decided to cross toward the right on the third leg.

The Kiwis rounded the final mark with a 15-second advantage and a two boat-length lead by the time the SUI-100 set its spinnaker.