This is a zoo, claims exasperated Bertarelli

By HELEN TUNNAH

Alinghi boss Ernesto Bertarelli lashed America's Cup match organisers after yesterday's race was called off, saying, "This is a zoo."

The Swiss billionaire complained that Alinghi were ready to sail, even though his boats were reportedly almost becalmed just moments after the 4pm postponement.

"This is a zoo," he said. "We were asked if we wanted to race, we were ready and then the other team comes back and says well, we don't know, we'll think about it."

The breeze fluctuated between six and nine knots, but did not settle, making it difficult for principal race officer Harold Bennett to order a start.

Bennett is a member of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, for whom Team New Zealand is defending the cup.

Bertarelli said: "I think everyone has a role to play here, and if Team New Zealand wants to play two roles, race committee and the contender, then that's fine."

Said Bennett: "It is so frustrating.

"Sure, we will get bagged for not doing more to try and get the race started but I stand by the decision we made. Looking at the course after we had made the call to go home, the wind died.

"It would have been a real struggle for the boats to have made it up the first leg inside the 45-minute limit."

Team New Zealand syndicate head Tom Schnackenberg said his crew were more than ready to race in any breeze that was reasonable.

"If it becomes a coin toss it's not the America's Cup," he said.

"Both teams are keen to race as long as we get fair conditions."

Winds yesterday were anything but fair as the fourth race of the America's Cup was postponed for the third time.

Team New Zealand trail Alinghi 3-0 and can ill-afford to lose a race because of a rogue wind-shift, which can happen when breezes are light and swinging wildly.

The fourth race is now due to be sailed this afternoon, but conditions again look marginal, with light easterlies predicted.

Although Alinghi's race boat, skippered by Russell Coutts, sailed around the race zone for two hours yesterday, weather data indicate the winds never settled.

When Bennett called off the racing, the wind had slipped to just six knots, which would have been too light for the challenger series.

Schnackenberg said he was satisfied with the decision.

He said it was sensible for Team New Zealand not to risk losing a race in flukey conditions when they were three races down, and had few lives left.

If Alinghi lost a race because of bad luck they could afford to take it on the chin, he said.

"If we lost a race through bad luck we wouldn't be shrugging our shoulders.

"The wind field was never adequate. We had reasonable breeze at the bottom, but at the top it never really settled in across the course."

He doubted Team New Zealand would have any psychological benefit after a five-day break since the last race, and their third demoralising defeat.

He said it was difficult sitting out races, and crews had to ensure they rested as much as possible in case a late start was called.

Team New Zealand normally spent the waiting period discussing the weather and ensuring sailors did not get lethargic.

"You try to rest but be ready to switch on, you don't want to be too mentally tired."

Additional reporting: Terry Maddaford

nzherald.co.nz/americascup

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