KEY POINTS:
The America's Cup challengers' series was becalmed off Valencia for a fourth day in a row today, leading to a rethink over the upcoming race schedule.
Competition between the 11 challengers for the Louis Vuitton Cup and the right to face off with Swiss defenders Alinghi in late
June was to have begun on Tuesday (NZ time).
But the continuing lack of wind has thwarted any attempts to get the yachts across the start line.
Team NZ were to have had matches against two of the outsiders in the fleet, Team Germany and China Team, today.
While there were moments when it looked like the wind would pick up on the race course, a stable sea breeze never materialised and readings rarely rose above seven knots.
The forecast for tomorrow, when Team NZ have the postponed day-one contest with Italians Mascalzone Latino and a bye scheduled, is for more light winds.
Similar conditions are expected over the following two days, but officials are hopeful some racing might be possible.
Since the LV Cup began as the challengers' elimination regatta in 1983, the first day hasn't been abandoned, let alone the first four days.
America's Cup organising authority chief executive Michel Bonnefous acknowledged that the lack of action on the water was frustrating for sailors, officials and fans alike.
But he said the weather this week had been unusual across southern Europe.
"A situation like this couldn't be anticipated," he said.
"None of the historical data recorded for this period of the year in Valencia showed the possibility of four consecutive non-sailable days."
Bonnefous said the postponement so far of eight rounds of racing in the first round-robin had clearly affected scheduling.
Discussions were taking place with the challengers to determine what, if anything, should be done with the programme for the next few days.
American syndicate Oracle said radical ideas such as shortening the races or cramming three in day were likely to be strongly resisted as they would compromise the quality of racing.
The LV Cup begins with two round-robins, after which the top four challengers going through to knock-out semifinals.
Already, both reserve days allocated for the first round-robin have been filled with postponed matches. Races have also been slotted into spare spots in the second-round robin.
One team benefiting from the layoff is +39 Challenge, who have nearly completed repair work on their broken mast.
The mast snapped after a collision with Team Germany during the preliminary Louis Vuitton Act 13 event this month and the Italians have been using one of Alinghi's old masts.
- NZPA