Winds Delay Semifinal Start

Heavy winds and high seas delayed the start of the America’s Cup semifinal between AmericaOne and Prada of Italy.

The one day postponement came more than three hours before the planned start of the best-of-nine round. No race can start in winds exceeding 18 knots and, for the second straight day, they were stronger than that on the Hauraki Gulf where the races will be held.

The delay gave the crews another day to consider their tactics for the series that will determine the challenger for defending champion New Zealand in the best-of-nine final.

AmericaOne skipper Paul Cayard likens the America’s Cup to a heavyweight fight that could go the distance. Prada helmsman Francesco de Angelis compares it to a school exam at the end of a long period of studying.

“The fact that I’m racing against Francesco, I think, has heightened interest in Italy,” said Cayard, who represents St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco but skippered Italy’s losing entry in the 1992 Cup finals. “And the United States is following us more closely now that we’re the only U.S team, so a lot of things are peaking right now.”