A simple goal — win to stay in the America's Cup

Orient Express Racing Team head into the final day of the Louis Vuitton Cup Round Robin phase tomorrow knowing they have to win their last race to retain any chance of staying in the 37th America's Cup.

The French challengers have to beat the British INEOS Britannia team, and then wait to see if Alinghi Red Bull Racing — their only contenders for the last remaining place in the Louis Vuitton Cup Semi Finals — can get the better of the Italian challenger Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli who are top of the table.

Defeat for the Swiss Alinghi team would leave them tied with Orient Express Racing Team at the bottom of the challenger scoreboard, leading to a one-off deciding match race.

Today, meanwhile, in strong wind conditions and a sometimes challenging sea state, Orient Express Racing Team delivered perhaps their best performance of the regatta to date against NYYC American Magic.

Quentin Delapierre's crew started level with the US team and kept them under pressure throughout the race. Always in contention they sailed immaculately, and though unable to find a passing lane were only seconds behind at the finish.

Their performance sets the scene for tomorrow's do-or-die Round Robin finale, and the chance of a possible match race decider against Alinghi Red Bull Racing.

Skipper Quentin Delapierre said: "Honestly, I think this was our best race, and it was the first time we sailed the boat in those conditions.

"We didn't have any unforced errors or big mistakes, so it is really encouraging. I just hope it's not too late. Hopefully tomorrow will be a great day for us and we can push the Brits hard."

Delapierre today raced with fellow co-pilot Kevin Peponnet, trimmers Jason Saunders and Matthieu Vandamme, and powerhouse cyclors Thibaut Verhoeven, Timothé Lapauw, Antoine Nougarède and Germain Chardin.

Speaking back ashore Kevin Peponnet said: "We didn’t quite get the start we wanted as we wanted the right and didn’t get it. But we kept the pressure on and stayed in contact hoping they would make a mistake. The speeds were quite similar, though we could have been smoother through our manoeuvres."

And he added: "Tomorrow victory is obligatory if we are to continue this adventure. There is everything to play for tomorrow."

Orient Express Racing Team take on INEOS Britannia in tomorrow's first race, the French team's final race of the Louis Vuitton Cup Round Robin.

SCHEDULE FOR SUNDAY 8 SEPTEMBER

Match 28: FRA vs GBR
Start: 14:10
Match 29: ITA vs SUI
Match 30: NZI vs USA