Blue skies and light winds today in Barcelona with the hope of an offshore sea-breeze filling in from the east-south-east just in time for racing in the Louis Vuitton Cup, with the first start scheduled between NYYC American Magic and Alinghi Red Bull Racing at 14:00 CET. Both teams are yet to score points in this opening Round Robin so it really matters.
The news overnight concerns Emirates Team New Zealand and a statement this morning from Grant Dalton, CEO confirms that they will not be racing today: “We have assessed the damage and have now started the repair, this will continue 24 hours a day. There is some structural damage aft in the boat, but the main force was taken on the forward cradle splash. Overnight this area has been removed (in other words we have cut the piece out of the hull bottom) and the repair has started which means building a new piece of boat. It is too early at this stage to say when we will be sailing again but I have seen these guys work miracles before.”
Race Management has issued an updated Race Schedule this morning confirming the racing for the day with NYYC American Magic vs. Alinghi Red Bull Racing, Emirates Team New Zealand (not racing) vs. INEOS Britannia, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli vs. NYYC American Magic and Emirates Team New Zealand (not racing) vs. Orient Express Racing Team.
Emirates Team New Zealand further added: “Emirates Team New Zealand will not sail today but the regatta regulations require a race to start in order for the win to be awarded. Therefore Match 6 and Match 8 will consist of the start and during the first leg the race will be awarded.”
Check back here for live updates from the Louis Vuitton Cup racecourse from 14:00 CET
