America's Cup challenge racing abandoned for third day in a row

12.00pm

High winds on the Hauraki Gulf have forced racing in the America's Cup challenger yachting series to be abandoned today, for the third day in a row.

Average wind speed can be no greater than 19 knots for racing in the Louis Vuitton Cup to get underway, but today's forecast is for 18 to 25 knot northwesterlies with gusts up to 30 knots.

Organisers have only been able to hold two sets of races since the start on Tuesday of the second round of the series between nine teams competing for the right to challenge Team New Zealand for the America's Cup in February.

Seven more sets of races need to be held to complete the current round and counting reserve days, eight days are available to hold them.

But organisers are worried by a forecast predicting 20 to 26 knot westerly winds tomorrow, gusting to more than 30 knots.

- NZPA