...it looks like the helm bears away at first then straightens the blade and Alinghi rounds up, classic mistake. If they had dumped sheet they would have saved it also.
I think dedication to either move might have saved them. I saw the helm double pump and turn one way only to second guess and steer the other way. You usually don't get two chances and they certainly didn't.
I second that and add some details.
Alinghi pumped to go downwind, but not all the way. After its rudders were back in the water, they started to turn upwind, again, not all the way, maybe planning to return to the previous heading only.
Holmatro did about the same: bore away to avoid the pitchpole and turned upwind after control was regained. The difference is that they did not stop turning at her previous heading, they kept a constant turning rate until the boat landed.
It is interesting that immediately after Alinghi stopped its upwind turn and held course, Holmatro heeled more than Alinghi for a moment due to different centrifugal forces in the boats.
That said, I think Alinghi would have survived if the spi wasn't partly unfurled.
I'd say two things account for the different outcomes:
1) Holmatro's stronger commitment to luffing.
2) Alinghi's unfurled spi.
Quite instructive.
