The action was hotting up in Auckland yesterday after the British America's Cup team, GBR Challenge, was defeated in the second race of the Louis Vuitton quarter-finals to make it all square at 1-1 with five races remaining.

Following the win by one minute in the opening match earlier this week, Ian Walker's crew lost to Dennis Connor's Stars and Stripes by an emphatic 77 seconds.

The start saw both Wight Lightning and US77, the boat that sank off Long Beach, California in late July, involved in a dial up and, after being heldhead-to-wind, they eventually fell away to port with Wight Lightning doing the chasing.

Having incurred a penalty in the first race, the Americans were more cautious this time and, after securing the favoured right-hand side of the course at the start, kept their distance from the British boat.

Both boats sailed away on starboard, with USA 77 benefiting from being on the inside of a right-hand shift.

Stars & Stripes sailed out towards the layline before they tacked and took an early lead, rounding the first mark 19 seconds ahead.

The first run was a long drag race on starboard, with the wind building to 15 knots.

Initially, Wight Lightning made inroads into the Americans' lead, but Stars & Stripes extended their advantage to 26 seconds at the leeward mark.

A short tacking duel ensued at the bottom of the second windward leg, as the young British team attempted to engage Team Dennis Conner.

After four tacks on GBR 70, Stars & Stripes continued to the right hand side of the course, allowing the British team to continue to the left.

When the Americans came back to the left, the lead had been doubled. USA 77 then covered Wight Lightning around the course to protect their lead and level the score in the series.