Racing starts in Cup challenger finals

1.45pm

Racing is underway in the first race of the America's Cup challenger finals on Auckland's Hauraki Gulf.

The San Francisco-based Oracle won the start ahead of the Swiss syndicate Alinghi in northeasterly winds of between 10 and 11 knots.

The best-of-nine contest for the Louis Vuitton Cup was meant to start yesterday but was cancelled when northeasterly winds gusting over 25 knots and seas running between 1.5 and 2 metres were recorded. The cancellation was the 19th in 55 race days.

About 1000 spectator boats were expected to head out into the Gulf to watch the racing. Radio New Zealand reported this afternoon that the Auckland harbourmaster had warned spectator craft to keep speeds low.

- HERALD STAFF


nzherald.co.nz/americascup

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