The Italians, who won the first flight yesterday, were first out of the start before the Americans drew within a boat's length on the final lap. BMW Oracle Racing skipper Chris Dickson gybed to a port course tack halfway down the final lap and then held on to cross the finish line 13 seconds ahead.

Emirates Team New Zealand crossed the starting line with a boat's length advantage over Desafio Espanol — as it did in the first flight — to win by 20 seconds and lead the series 2-0.

The finalists will meet in the June 1-11 Louis Vuitton Cup with the winner advancing to sail against defending champion Alinghi in the America's Cup from June 23-July 4.

Shifting winds tested tacticians from all four teams for the second straight day.

Luna Rossa helmsman James Spithill went right and Dickson left as it began to look like a replay of yesterday's split tack start, before Dickson tacked back to keep the Italians from getting away. The Italians matched BMW Oracle Racing move for move to round the first marker ahead by 56 seconds.

Dickson stayed to the right as the Italians gybed to find the breeze, and the Americans cut the deficit to 20 seconds heading into the last upwind leg.

Both boats then split with BMW Oracle Racing heading left and Luna Rossa right. Near the final marker, Dickson ducked behind the ITA-94 boat as they nearly touched while jostling for position.

Spithill defended the now 14-second advantage, but a poor spinnaker hoist saw the Americans draw even as they got their kite up first to catch the wind.

The Italians attempted to retake the lead as both boats gybed, but the USA-98 boat was too fast and took the lead three-quarters down the final lap.

In the other semifinal race, the Kiwis went left as the Spanish boat took extra time to cross the line after tacking off the race committee boat.

The Kiwis stretched the lead in the first lap, rounding the marker with a 1:15 advantage. Desafio Espanol tried to keep pace and cut into the lead, but the Kiwis executed perfectly.