Alinghi: America’s Cup Is a Zoo

A boring America’s Cup suddenly heated up when Swiss syndicate head Ernesto Bertarelli called the race management “a zoo” after yet another postponement.

Race 4 was called off for the third time today because of light, shifting wind, taking the steam out of the Swiss team’s march toward history. Alinghi has a 3-0 lead over two-time defending champion Team New Zealand in the best-of-nine series, and is trying to return the America’s Cup to Europe for the first time in 152 years.

The race was rescheduled for Monday, which had been a day off.

Bertarelli, a biotech billionaire who also serves as navigator, said the Swiss were ready to sail today. They even staged a mock start with their race boat and tuneup boat about 2 1/2 hours after the scheduled starting time.

Principal race officer Harold Bennett, who consulted the crews all afternoon, called off the race 15 minutes later.

The race committee is appointed by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, which holds the America’s Cup.

“I think we’re seeing that the current format doesn’t work,” Bertarelli said. “We really need to have an independent race committee who decides when a race takes place, and the competitors are there at their disposal.

“This is a zoo.... We were ready, and then the other team comes back and says, ‘Well, we don’t know, we’ll think about it, we’re not ready to race now, maybe at 4 o’clock.’ What is this?”

Bennett, who wasn’t immediately available for comment, radioed the boats at 3:10 p.m. to seek the crews’ permission to stay out past the 3:30 p.m. deadline and try to get the race in.

After a pause of several minutes, Alinghi tactician Brad Butterworth replied: “We’re keen to go, Harold.”

Team New Zealand navigator Mike Drummond said his crew had to ask their weather team.

The New Zealanders didn’t seem too keen because it’s believed that their boat doesn’t perform well in light conditions.

But at 3:30, when Bennett checked again, Drummond called Alinghi’s bluff, saying the breeze might strengthen, so the Kiwis were willing to wait until 4 p.m.

Some of the Kiwi crewmen smiled, and the Alinghi sailors weren’t as jovial as they had been.

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(BEGIN TEXT OF INFOBOX)

America’s Cup

TEAM NEW ZEALAND VS. ALINGHI

Alinghi of Switzerland leads, 3-0,in best-of-nine series.

Schedule

U.S. dates, 4 p.m. PST; ESPN2

Race 1--Alinghi wins

Race 2--Alinghi wins

Race 3--Alinghi wins

Race 4--Today

Race 5--Monday

Race 6--Wednesday*

Race 7--Friday*

Race 8--Saturday*

Race 9--March 3*

* If necessary