By JULIE ASH
Of the nine syndicates in the Louis Vuitton Cup challenger series, Italy's Mascalzone Latino will find racing twice today tougher than any of the others.
The series organisers have had to schedule the double-header because strong winds pounding the Hauraki Gulf have forced the postponement of racing four
days in a row.
Yesterday, all was again quiet on syndicate row as most challengers took the day off.
The organisers had no option but to order two races today - on shorter 12.5-mile courses - because seven flights have still to be completed in the second round and just seven days remain before the November 4 deadline. This will mean early starts and late finishes, but for Mascalzone Latino - the only one-boat campaign in the event - it will also mean a strain on resources.
Sitting in eighth spot, with the dread thought hanging over them of being the first team eliminated, Mascalzone Latino are scheduled to meet Swiss syndicate Alinghi this morning and Sweden's Victory Challenge this afternoon.
"It will be hard, but we are here for that," said skipper Vincenzo Onorato. "Alinghi and Victory Challenge are not weak competitors in the America's Cup."
While teams are able to rotate crew members and change sails during the break between races, racing twice a day is more a test of mental toughness and concentration, especially in the crucial second round, which determines the top four, bottom four and the first team to be eliminated.
"Racing twice today will, of course, stretch our resources, mostly because we are a small team, but we will fight anyway," said Onorato.
The postponements have at least given Onorato the chance to spend time with his young son Alessandro, who is visiting from Italy.
In the other morning races, which are scheduled to start just after 10.30am, Prada face Le Defi Areva, Team Dennis Conner meet Victory Challenge and GBR Challenge face OneWorld. Oracle BMW Racing have the bye.
In the afternoon, Oracle face Conner's team, the British meet the French and Alinghi face Prada. OneWorld get the afternoon off.
Organisers are predicting 15-20 knot westerly winds with occasional showers.
A similar outlook is predicted for tomorrow.
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