Bad weather again plagued the second round-robin series of the Louis Vuitton Cup in Valencia on Thursday as thunder and lightning off the Spanish eastern seaboard forced action to be postponed for the day.
Although the high winds that have also hit the event — the winner of which will face defending champions Alinghi in the America’s Cup next month — died down to a light gradient breeze from the south, the rain ensured racing could not proceed.
That means Friday will see flights five and six on one double session, weather permitting.
In the absence of racing action, Desafio Espanol launched a protest that the jury was considering late on Thursday against Mascalzone Latino for an alleged misuse of their backstay rigging.
Under the competition rules, once the stays have been set pre-race, they must remain untouched for the duration.
Desafio say they have seen video evidence of tampering with the backstay during competition and the result of a protest hearing was due to come ahead of Friday’s resumption when leaders BMW Oracle Racing are due to go up against Luna Rossa Challenge in a battle of the form teams to date.
Hosts Desafio were to meet Emirates Team New Zealand in an encounter of two teams who also look bound for the semifinals later this month.
Bottom-of-the-heap China Team, looking to garner as much experience from the event as they can although qualification is a lost cause, were to take on South Africa’s Team Shosholoza, who are currently three wins adrift of Desafio with their hopes of advancing fading fast.
Also on Friday, struggling United Internet Team Germany were to face Sweden’s Victory Challenge, pushing hard on Desafio’s heels, with Italy’s Mascalzone battling compatriots +39 Challenge.
French also-rans Areva Challenge had a bye for flight five before seeking to derail Luna Rossa Challenge’s headlong rush to the last four.
The remaining line-up for flight six pitted Mascalzone against United Internet Team Germany, Victory Challenge against +39 Challenge, Desafio against China Team and Emirates Team New Zealand against Team Shosholoza with BMW Oracle enjoying a bye.
Earlier on Thursday, the event welcomed its one-millionth visitor to the port, with organisers handing a special certificate to local inhabitant Carolina Baixauli.
Tuesday saw a day-record crowd of 68 000 descend on Valencia’s purpose-built America’s Cup marina. — Sapa-AFP