US Wins Back America's Cup

Larry Ellison's space-age trimaran BMW Oracle won back the America's Cup for the United States by speeding across the Mediterranean and routing two-time defending champ Alinghi of Switzerland in a two-race sweep. The 65-year-old software tycoon was onboard his incredibly fast craft today, after sitting out Race 1 due to a weight limit. His victory over rival Ernesto Bertarelli sends the oldest trophy in international sports to San Francisco's Golden Gate Yacht Club.

The two billionaires have been locked in a tumultuous legal fight for 2 1/2 years, and it looked for a while like the result of this race was going to be contested off the water. Alinghi raised a red protest flag during Race 2, but dropped the protest after the race, confirming Ellison's win. The America's Cup has been away from US shores for 15 years, the longest drought since America won the silver trophy by beating a fleet of British ships around the Isle of Wight in 1851. (More America's Cup stories.)