Oracle will take on Switzerland's Alinghi in the final of the Louis Vuitton Cup after racing to a fourth straight victory over OneWorld in the semi-final series on Monday.

The San Francisco syndicate defeated its Seattle-based rival by one minute and four seconds to take an unassailable lead in the best-of-seven contest.

OneWorld were already carrying a minus-one penalty for breaking competition rules going into the contest.

The underdogs took an early lead after pre-start sparring failed to produce a clear winner off the line in changing winds.

OneWorld rounded the first mark 59 seconds ahead - the first time in the series they had led around any mark.

Spinnaker tear

On the downhill slide, Oracle closed the gap to 28 seconds, but OneWorld regained control on the next upwind leg, reaching the third mark 48 seconds ahead.

Oracle did a bear-away set around the mark, and their gamble on a wind shift worked as they caught their rivals two-thirds of the way down the leg.

Even carrying a tear in its spinnaker, Oracle turned around the fourth mark 38 seconds ahead.

And as the previously difficult winds became steady and solid, Oracle were afforded an easy downwind run to the finish.

The best-of-nine finals against leading contender Alinghi will start on 11 January.

The winners will then take on holders Team New Zealand for the America's Cup starting on 15 February.