By JULIE ASH
The battle of the American heavyweights ended in becalmed frustration yesterday.
At first, the clash between OneWorld Challenge and Oracle BMW Racing lived up to expectations in the light but shifty winds.
OneWorld pulled ahead to lead their rivals around the first mark by an impressive 1m
13s, but Larry Ellison's Oracle clawed back the deficit on the run.
Then the wind departed, leaving the rivals side-by-side, bobbing up and down on the Hauraki Gulf.
They failed to make it to the second mark in the given time and the race was postponed.
The rules require the first boat to complete each leg within 45 minutes, otherwise the race is abandoned.
Frustration was the story of the sixth day of the Louis Vuitton challenger series.
Just one race finished in the allowed time, Prada's encounter with Sweden's Victory Challenge.
The Italians won by 2m 35s after pouncing on a breeze they found on the far right-hand side of the course on the final upwind leg.
"It was good for Prada and ourselves to find out we have the fastest boats out there because all the others didn't get around the course in time," Victory Challenge helmsman Jesper Bank joked.
The most heartbreaking story of the day was that of the second Italian syndicate, Mascalzone Latino, who were well on their way to securing their first win in the series when the wind died and their race against GBR Challenge was abandoned with less than a lap to sail.
GBR Challenge syndicate head and 17th man Peter Harrison may have unintentionally cursed his team. A shot of Harrison on the boat revealed him munching away on a banana on his plastic chair. In the sailing world, a banana on a boat traditionally means bad luck.
The other race cancelled because of light winds was Team Dennis Conner's clash with the French challenge, Le Defi Areva.
The Americans had a convincing lead but were 33s short of the second windward mark in the required time.
"It is a tough day when you are over two minutes ahead and then the time limit runs out," quipped Team Dennis Conner helmsman Ken Read.
"The good news is that our afterguard did a great job and the boat had some pace."
The three races postponed yesterday will now be held at the end of the round, on the four reserve days scheduled. There is then a seven-day break before the start of the second round to allow for repairs and modifications.
If there are more delays, organisers may ask syndicates to either race twice a day to catch up before the end of this round or complete first round-robin races at the start of the second round which begins on October 22.
The latter option could cause difficulties because boats can be modified or substituted during the break between rounds.
Some teams might feel disadvantaged if a rival can complete first round-robin races later in the month, after their boats have been changed.
Similar light and shifty conditions are expected for today's racing. OneWorld are up against Victory Challenge and GBR face Prada on course Romeo.
Alinghi meet Team Dennis Conner and Le Defi Areva clash with Oracle on course Juliet.
The unlucky Mascalzone Latino have the bye.
nzherald.co.nz/americascup
Racing schedule, results and standings
By JULIE ASH
The battle of the American heavyweights ended in becalmed frustration yesterday.
At first, the clash between OneWorld Challenge and Oracle BMW Racing lived up to expectations in the light but shifty winds.
OneWorld pulled ahead to lead their rivals around the first mark by an impressive 1m
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.