By JULIE ASH
Organisers are not hitting the panic button just yet after day one of the quarter-final repechage was postponed for the third day in a row yesterday.
The wind gods have failed to co-operate for the best-of-seven series in the Louis Vuitton Cup, providing not enough wind on Saturday,
too much wind on Sunday and not enough wind yesterday.
The outlook for today is marginal, with northeast winds up to 5 knots expected. The situation should improve slightly tomorrow and Thursday but on Friday more light winds are expected.
The quarter-final repechage must be completed on Sunday to allow the winners a seven-day break before the semifinals start on December 9.
If, closer to the Sunday deadline, racing does not look as if it will be completed, race organisers can opt for two races a day.
If racing is not finished before the deadline any score made in the quarter-final repechage stands.
But if teams are level, they will race off in the break to determine a winner. The repechage must end on Sunday.
Although frustrated, regatta director Dyer Jones said there was no reason for organisers to panic yet.
"It is a best-of-seven series and there are still six days left to complete the series," he said.
"We do have the option of going to two races a day but at the moment we don't want to do that.
"Our weather team say there is going to be a bit of breeze [today] so hopefully we get some racing in today."
For racing to start, the wind must average between 7 and 19 knots and not exceed an average of 23 knots in racing over a five-minute period.
Although there was no "official" racing on the Gulf yesterday, the challengers had no answer for Team New Zealand's sheer boat speed in the battle of the chase boats.
Team New Zealand easily fended off the likes of Prada, OneWorld and Victory Challenge to win the chase boat challenge.
With Mike Quilter at the wheel, Team New Zealand's lead was never in doubt as they powered around a one-lap course leaving their opponents well and truly in their wake, doubtless hoping that is a sign of things to come.
Victory Challenge were second and the umpires were third.
Racing in the challenger series is scheduled to start today at 1.15pm.
nzherald.co.nz/americascup
Racing schedule, results and standings
By JULIE ASH
Organisers are not hitting the panic button just yet after day one of the quarter-final repechage was postponed for the third day in a row yesterday.
The wind gods have failed to co-operate for the best-of-seven series in the Louis Vuitton Cup, providing not enough wind on Saturday,
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