7.20pm
By JULIE ASH
It was a race that will go down as one of the most bizarre in the history of the challenger series, but for Prada it signalled the end of their America's Cup dream.
Trailing OneWorld 3-1 in the best-of-seven semifinal, Prada were robbed of their chance to equal
the score today because light winds delayed racing for 5 1/2 hours, making it impossible to go ahead with two races as scheduled.
When racing finally did get under way, just after 4pm, the light and shifty conditions were the worst seen on the Hauraki Gulf this year.
In a desperate move, Prada ditched Rod Davis as their starting helmsman and handed the wheel to New Zealander Gavin Brady, who had not sailed with Prada in the entire Louis Vuitton Cup regatta.
"It was a strategic change to throw something new at them," Prada skipper Francesco de Angelis said.
The move did not pay off. Prada botched the start and OneWorld powered over the line 16s ahead.
But Prada secured what little breeze there was up the first beat and rounded the first mark 31s ahead.
Their lead was reduced to 8s at the second mark, but then OneWorld found themselves in a hole and stopped dead.
Prada rounded the third mark a staggering 14m 14s ahead of their rival and won the race by 17m 46s.
The OneWorld crew ducked down in their boat so that when they crossed the line it appeared no one was on board.
"We were having a bit of fun," helmsman James Spithill said. "It was just one of those races. We got off the line well, but things just didn't go our way."
Prada's win took the score to 3-2 but the semifinals had been scheduled to end yesterday and unless the event was tied and a sail-off was required, the scoreline stood.
OneWorld now face Oracle BMW Racing in the semifinal repechage, a best-of-seven series starting on Friday.
* Oracle caught the attention of many while out training on the Hauraki Gulf today.
The American syndicate had some sort of small kite attached to one of their boats.
Whether they were taking the mickey or really trying out some new development is anyone's guess.
The syndicate would not comment on the kite, saying: "We do not talk about developments related to our design programme."
Prada's Cup hopes die with the breeze
nzherald.co.nz/americascup
Racing schedule, results and standings
7.20pm
By JULIE ASH
It was a race that will go down as one of the most bizarre in the history of the challenger series, but for Prada it signalled the end of their America's Cup dream.
Trailing OneWorld 3-1 in the best-of-seven semifinal, Prada were robbed of their chance to equal
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.