Teams start their countdown early

By JULIE ASH

Watch today as Team New Zealand designer Clay Oliver jumps overboard from NZL82 clutching a waterproof box just moments before the start.

There is nothing of particular note inside: some cellphones, radio equipment, the last few things that the team don't want weighing down the boat before it sets off on the 18.5-nautical-mile race for the America's Cup.

But seconds before the five-minute gun goes, Oliver must jump overboard because he is not one of the sailing team.

A following Team New Zealand support boat will pick up him and the box.

The countdown to the race at 1.15pm has been carefully choreographed.

Syndicate head Tom Schnackenberg, skipper Dean Barker and the team will arrive at their base around 8am.

For the next two hours they will ready both boats, NZL82 and its non-racing sister, NZL81.

They intend to leave the dock around 10. They plan to leave in silence. The crowd at the Viaduct Harbour will be another matter.

"We are going to try and keep it like a normal day," said spokesman Murray Taylor.

NZL81 will lead the way out to the racecourse.

For the next few hours they will warm up, hoisting sails, checking gear and thinking of the race ahead.

As the time counts down, the warm-up boat, NZL81, will do a lap of the course.

"You count back from the start," said Schnackenberg.

"You work out what sails to have on board, what mainsail, and just go through the rituals."

Just before the five-minute gun the boat is stripped of all unnecessary equipment. Radio gear and cellphones are placed in the waterproof box and taken off the boat. "Then we are ready for action," Schnackenberg said.

The main imponderable for the teams and the organisers is weather.

Each team have an extensive group analysing the weather for every wind shift. Team New Zealand have a team of 10, plus part-timers, on a fleet of seven weather boats stationed around the course on race days. Alinghi have nine on seven boats.

They began work at 5.30 collecting and analysing the data.

Race director Harold Bennett will make his first check of the weather forecasts at 6.30. An hour later he will meet race management - 24 people strong - to discuss the conditions, the weather and its effects and the race-day rules.

There will be a formal briefing to discuss where they want to head to set the course. An hour later, around 9.15, the flotilla of officials will leave the Viaduct; three weather boats, a race committee boat and two mark-laying boats.

The weather boats will continue to receive data throughout the morning but Mr Bennett will not pass it on to the race teams.

He will, however, talk to them on an open transmission line, which both teams can hear, about starting procedures and - if the weather is shifty - any delay plans.

Alinghi's sailing crew will arrive at their Viaduct base around 6.30, complete a light workout then have breakfast before a series of meetings on tactics.

When the Swiss boats leave they will be accompanied by the sound of Swiss horns and the cheers of around 200 Swiss supporters who have turned out at every race to support them.

Alinghi spokesman Bernard Schopfer is not aware of any rituals or good luck charms for his team.

"I hope they don't wear the same socks or underwear every race day."

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