Jimmy Spithill was just 12 years old when a doctor told him his dreams of becoming an athlete would never come to fruition.
Jimmy Spithill was just 12 years old when a doctor told him his dreams of becoming an athlete would never come to fruition.
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Born with a right leg five centimeters (2 inches) shorter than his left and a right foot that was three sizes smaller than his other foot, Spithill walked with a limp even after surgery.
Born with a right leg five centimeters (2 inches) shorter than his left and a right foot that was three sizes smaller than his other foot, Spithill walked with a limp even after surgery.
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Bullied at high school, the Australian took up boxing in his teens -- something he credits for keeping him on the straight and narrow.
Bullied at high school, the Australian took up boxing in his teens -- something he credits for keeping him on the straight and narrow.
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But it was sailing where he made his name, becoming the then-youngest skipper to win the America's Cup, with the BMW Oracle team in 2010.
But it was sailing where he made his name, becoming the then-youngest skipper to win the America's Cup, with the BMW Oracle team in 2010.
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Three years later, Spithill played a decisive role in perhaps the greatest sporting comeback of all time.
Three years later, Spithill played a decisive role in perhaps the greatest sporting comeback of all time.
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Skippering Oracle Team USA in the 34th America's Cup, Spithill and his crew were 8-1 down to Emirates Team New Zealand after nine races and staring down the barrel of defeat.
Skippering Oracle Team USA in the 34th America's Cup, Spithill and his crew were 8-1 down to Emirates Team New Zealand after nine races and staring down the barrel of defeat.
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An incredible fightback leveled the scores at 8-8 to force a decisive race, won by Oracle Team USA by 44 seconds.
An incredible fightback leveled the scores at 8-8 to force a decisive race, won by Oracle Team USA by 44 seconds.
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But Spithill's win streak in the oldest international competition in sport ended at this year's America's Cup in Bermuda's Great Sound, where Oracle Team USA were beaten 7-1 by Emirates Team New Zealand and its 26-year-old skipper, Peter Burling.
But Spithill's win streak in the oldest international competition in sport ended at this year's America's Cup in Bermuda's Great Sound, where Oracle Team USA were beaten 7-1 by Emirates Team New Zealand and its 26-year-old skipper, Peter Burling.
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Don't bet against him returning for the 36th edition of the America's Cup in New Zealand ...<a href="https://www.trupilariante.com/2017/05/30/sport/clive-mason-sailing-rio-2016-best-photography-portfolio/index.html"><em> Love sailing? </em><strong><em>Go behind the lens of an award-winning sports photographer</em></strong></a>
Don't bet against him returning for the 36th edition of the America's Cup in New Zealand ... Love sailing? Go behind the lens of an award-winning sports photographer
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