Grim forecast keeps racers in port again

7.50am - by JULIE ASH

Strong winds and choppy seas today have forced the seventh delay in America's Cup racing.

A subtropical low-pressure system positioned just north of Cape Reinga has been the problem over the past few days, bringing strong winds and unsettled seas.

Race four was originally meant to take place last Thursday but was postponed due to fickle conditions. It was postponed again on Saturday, Sunday and Monday due to light or shifty conditions.

But strong winds were the problem on Tuesday and yesterday.

Today's forecast is for 18-24 knot east-north-easterly winds with gusts of up to 28 knots, and Friday's prognosis is not much better, with strong winds and big waves expected.

Wind speeds in the Hauraki Gulf yesterday gusted to well over 30 knots.

Mike Broughton, an independent British meteorologist who provides information for the Louis Vuitton media centre, said that if the low headed west, as expected, it would bring northeasterly winds on Friday and Saturday which could have an interesting impact on the regatta.

"The significant part for the America's Cup is that we end up with these northeasterly winds and that is that only direction that the Gulf is exposed and therefore the waves get the chance to pick up and build up.

"If you cast your mind back to the Young America break-up last time, it was in northeasterly conditions. But unlike the last cup, we have hardly ever seen any big northeasterlies throughout the entire Louis Vuitton Cup and America's Cup regatta.

"Even if the wind drops down to 15 knots, like we might see on Saturday, we have still got big waves.

"I see these waves lasting for several days."

That is bad news for Team New Zealand, considering choppy seas caused them so much difficulty in race one when NZL82 shipped tonnes of water over her lee rail.

Although it may seem like winter, Broughton says the conditions are typical for this time of the year and it is not unusual for the odd low or tropical cyclone to hit.

But for race organisers, the weather is proving a headache. After today there is just one more race day left, which is Saturday. For sailing to go ahead on any other day the principal race officer, Harold Bennett, must consult both teams.

Alinghi, holding their 3-0 lead, maintain they are keen to sail in any conditions.

Despite the delays, this event is far from the longest-ever cup regatta.

A three-race match on a 30-mile course off Sandy Hook, New Jersey, in 1899 turned into an 18-day endurance contest.

Just completing race one took seven attempts over 13 days.

nzherald.co.nz/americascup

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