American Magic trying to save Patriot. Photo / Michael Craig
American Magic trying to save Patriot. Photo / Michael Craig
There's no guarantee the race schedule will change for the third and fourth round-robin in the Prada Cup – meaning teams could be forced to race on their own in order to bank points.
The challengers and defender Team New Zealand have met to discuss possible changes to the schedule,given American Magic have been forced to withdraw from racing while they make urgent repairs to their boat Patriot, following the capsize and near sinking on Sunday.
American Magic trying to save Patriot. Photo / Michael Craig
The original schedule for Friday had American Magic in races against Luna Rossa and Ineos Team UK. But the schedule has been taken down from the Prada Cup website, which now reads "race schedule to be confirmed" for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Regatta director Iain Murray told the Herald no agreement had been reached at this morning's meeting to alter the schedule.
Murray noted there has to be unanimous agreement among the teams, and that boats could be left racing themselves in a quasi-practice outing if the schedule doesn't change.
"The schedule is the schedule that has been agreed by everyone and one possibility is it doesn't change and we go out and have one boat lining up at the start on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and obviously the two boats lining up - Ineos Team UK [against] Luna Rossa - when their scheduled matches are," Murray said.
"We are working through with the teams to see if there's a more efficient way to do that but bearing in mind there still are races with American Magic on the table that need resolving. So it's not as simple as 'there's two races and we will just amend it', there are a lot more pieces to the puzzle."
Murray's preference is for the races to take place on Saturday and Sunday when more spectators are out on the water.
"The weekend is the focal point for the people that are an integral stakeholder in making for a successful America's Cup. We have to be mindful that these teams have come here and invested a huge amount of money in their programmes which have an existing schedule and if there is to be a change it has to work for everyone."
The Prada Cup trophy. Photo / Photosport
But the regatta director felt there is a will among the teams to come to the best possible solution.
"It was discussed this morning, everyone has taken it away I think everyone is looking at this in a positive aspect, everyone obviously has their point of view and we just need to arrive at a conclusion to change it from the current schedule."
He concedes no change would be a bad look for the event.
"I think the event is mindful of the support of the New Zealand public and their attendance at the races. This is not what the plan was and teams have made plans as to what they want to do and they are obviously assessing the weather, the risk to them turning up on those days [versus] not turning up. Hopefully that will get sorted very quickly so we can paint a very clear picture forward for everyone over the weekend."
Heading into the Cup racing?
• Give yourself plenty of time and think about catching a ferry, train or bus to watch the Cup.
• Make sure your AT HOP card is in your pocket. It's the best way to ride.
