America’s Cup 2021: New Zealand team trains only while all three challengers choose not to participate in practice races

All three America’s Cup challengers withdrew from official training in raining on Friday, leaving the New Zealand team to train on their own, less than 24 hours after Defender continued their impressive preparation by “beating” Luna Rossa.

A Luna Rossa spokesperson confirmed to the Herald that they would not compete today after Thursday’s “long session.”

“The guys are super tired after we had a very long session yesterday.”

READ MORE: ‘Hard to beat’: Global media reacts to Team NZ’s impressive run against rival

The spokesperson denied that the challenger had any problems with his boat, after TNZ had an advantage over Jimmy Spithill and Luna Rossa in the first skirmish on Thursday, holding a lead of more than 30 seconds after two stages when the test ended.

“[There are] no problem, they’ve had enough [practice]. We won’t go out on the weekend either. Nothing before Monday, “the spokesman said.

Races around a driving range were scheduled for today, but Luna Rossa, as well as INEOS Team UK and American Magic, decided not to participate.

The latest withdrawal will further fuel speculation that the British challenger is experiencing serious problems with his boat and the team had very few races in the past week.

American Magic, also not starting on Thursday, had impressed Tuesday, with helmsman Dean Barker demonstrating expert handling and confidence in tough situations, but unspecified issues with his Patriot boat meant they couldn’t participate.

Teams are expected to participate in practice races on Monday and Tuesday of next week, before the start of the World Series on Thursday.