The shifty, unstable conditions saw racing postponed for the day, yesterday Sunday 1st of July, making this effectively a two day break in the schedule. Today is the day off. For Emirates Team New Zealand, the break is perhaps an opportunity to get back on track after dropping three consecutive races to Alinghi. Strategist Ray Davies said the team was happy with the decision not to race.
Light, unstable winds forced the Race Committee to postpone racing for the day on Sunday at the 32nd America’s Cup Match. The Defender, Alinghi was looking to win its fourth match in a row, to successfully defend the America’s Cup. Emirates Team New Zealand, the challenger, was in a ‘must win’ position. But the wind gods didn’t cooperate. High cloud started to form near noon, inhibiting the development of a sea breeze. Whenever a clear patch opened up over the land, the wind would pick up, only to ease when the cloud returned. And it was always very shifty today, both in pressure and direction. At 16:10, Principal Race Officer Peter Reggio signalled there would be no racing for the day. Monday is a scheduled ‘off day’ at the America’s Cup, so racing won’t resume until Tuesday afternoon, when the forecast is for a strong, steady, 15 knot sea breeze.
