Top 5 Cinderella stories in sports this decade

3) Oracle Team USA – America’s Cup 2013

Oracle Team USA after winning America’s Cup 2013

The America’s Cup, the world’s oldest international sporting trophy, is a prestigious competition of sailing yachts. The incredible story of its 34th edition in 2013 is one that will remain etched in the memory of sports lovers for years to come.

Going into the regatta, Oracle Team USA were defending champions, having emerged victorious over their Swiss rivals in 2010. However, their 2013 campaign had gotten off to a poor start, with a 2-point penalty already imposed for an earlier cheating offence.

Thus, needing eleven victories to reach the winning mark of 9 points as opposed to challenger Team New Zealand’s nine, Oracle lost six races before they could open their account at the San Francisco Bay event.

Up 8-1 after the first eleven decisive races, the Kiwis had to win just one out of the remaining eight chances in hand. Led by James Spithill, Oracle Team USA clinched all eight of the remaining fixtures to reach the final tally of 9-8, thus successfully staging a fairytale comeback, one of the greatest in the history of sports.