8.30am
After high winds on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour, race officials were confident this morning that yacht racing would resume in the Louis Vuitton Cup after two days of delays.
Racing began on Tuesday in the first of round-robin series of the regatta to decide which challenger will Team New Zealand in the
America's Cup series in February.
However, racing on Wednesday and yesterday was thwarted when the wind rose above the 18-knot maximum before the scheduled daily race start at 12.10pm.
Winds were predicted to be from the southwest from 16 to 24 knots early today before moderating to between 12 to 17 knots.
Principal Race Officer Peter Reggio said the 30-knot winds yesterday meant there was no way racing could begin on the scheduled third day of the programme.
The opening race today has been billed as a heavyweight match when Team Dennis Conner's Stars and Stripes goes out against defending Louis Vuitton Cup champions Prada Challenge.
The second match on Course Romeo has the OneWorld Challenge against New Zealand skipper Russell Coutts' Alinghi Team. Both big-budget syndicates are among the favourites for the challenger series.
On the second course, Oracle BMW Racing face Vincenzo Onorato's Mascalzone Latino, the second Italian challengers.
In the final match of the day the French le Defi Areva sail against against Sweden's Victory Challenge who had the bye on day one.
The British GBR Challenge have a bye today.
Sunday was originally a reserve day but has been designated a race day.
Weather Forecast for Friday October 4
High-pressure over the Tasman Sea (1023 mb) moving slowly south, active low-pressure to the SW of New Zealand, moving away to the east,giving a cool unstable SW airflow over Auckland.
Winds: SW 16-24 knots, backing SSW and moderating 12-17 knots. Partly cloudy sky, temps 12-15C.
- NZPA
nzherald.co.nz/americascup
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