3:33 PM: High winds again postponed the finals of the America’s Cup sailing races this afternoon in San Francisco as Emirates Team New Zealand was one race from winning the regatta.
The New Zealand team won the first race against defending champion Oracle Team USA today but the second one was called off just as the two boats approached the starting line in San Francisco Bay.
High winds also postponed all racing in the regatta Tuesday.
Racing is expected to resume at 1:15 p.m. Thursday.
The postponement announcement turned cheers into groans this afternoon at the America’s Cup Park at San Francisco’s Pier 27, where the crowd was predominately pro-New Zealand.
“It’s so disappointing,” said Murray Brooks, whose son Daniel is a boat builder for the Kiwi team. “The whole country wants this to happen.”
Brooks said New Zealand, the lone country that gave financial backing to an America’s Cup team and a hotbed for sailing talent, is ready to celebrate the victory.
“We’re looking forward to the party,” he said.
Becky and Phil Wale were among the rare U.S. supporters at Pier 27 even though they aren’t American—the couple is British and on their honeymoon.
Becky said they were also disappointed and said they would not be able to see the potential clinching race Thursday because they already have other plans for the day.
Emirates Team New Zealand leads the America’s Cup Finals 8-1 over Oracle, which was docked two points by the regatta’s International Jury before racing began because of illegal modifications the team made to its boats during earlier exhibition races.
The high winds are causing a somewhat anti-climactic end to a regatta that has already been plagued by problems, including the death of a sailor on a Sweden-based team during a practice run earlier this year and the recent Oracle cheating scandal.
The New Zealand team won the first race of the day, but the second was called off moments before the boats approached the starting line.
Emirates Team New Zealand leads the America’s Cup Finals 8-1 and can clinch the cup Thursday when racing resumes.
More information about the races can be found at www.americascup.com.
2:44 PM: High winds again postponed the finals of the America’s Cup sailing races this afternoon in San Francisco as Emirates Team New Zealand was one race from winning the regatta.
The New Zealand team won the first race of the day, but the second was called off moments before the boats approached the starting line.
Emirates Team New Zealand leads the America’s Cup Finals 8-1 and can clinch the cup Thursday when racing resumes.
More information about the races can be found online at www.americascup.com.
