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Fans of the land-based America’s Cup have returned to the main field to watch the second day of action on Friday in Auckland.
Regatta Director Iain Murray confirmed that Course A would be back in action, but Thursday’s sweet southwest wind has been replaced by a much softer northeast breeze.
That will see the course reversed with the boats starting and ending in the area between North Head and Bastion Point.
RICKY WILSON / Stuff
Team NZ and American Magic become entangled at the beginning of their America’s Cup world series career.
Murray said his forecast had winds ranging between 8 and 11 knots and anticipated that it would be feasible to compete with these radical ships that can sail at three times the wind speed.
However, the course will be located in a wind shadow, particularly at the top mark, which is near Rangitoto Island.
There could be problems for Saturday, albeit with even lighter conditions. The lower limit for racing is a constant 6.5 knots.
There was a desire to use Course A on Friday, the northernmost course in the east coast bays, but an exemption to anchor there was not in effect during the day.
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In a statement to Stuff, Team’s New Zealand events division, ACE, said a permit from Maritime NZ was needed, due to submarine cables through the field area.
“The required agreement from COR (Record’s Italian challenger), which ACE recently received,” he said.
“Once completed, the application has been submitted and authorities are processing.”
Sir Ben Ainselie’s INEOS TeamUK left the dock earlier than usual to test overnight repairs after recurring failures in the first days of racing, in which the boat pulled out of its second meeting.
Todd Niall / Stuff
INEOS Team UK left early to test the troubled boat.
Strategist Giles Scott said shortly before leaving that they had “a lot of work to do” in addition to failures in the Foil Cant system.
Conditions on Friday will favor the defenders of the New Zealand team, who will face INEOS Team UK twice, and the British openly admitted that they are having problems with the performance of their boat in light winds.
Breakfast
Ineos Team UK experienced problems with their foil cant system from day one.
Murray praised the behavior of the large fleet of spectators who were in the water for Thursday’s opening races, estimating there were 1,000 ships at the edges of the field.
But he called for greater awareness on Friday because light, changing conditions, and a changing tide and current could cause the course to shift slightly between races.
Boat owners can check for updates on public VHF channels 12 and 16.
Murray also encouraged boats to register on the America’s Cup website for up-to-date safety and regulatory information.
SCHEDULE OF THE AMERICA CUP FOR FRIDAY
Race 1: American Magic v Luna Rossa, 3:12 p.m.
Race 2: Team NZ v INEOS Team UK, 3.50 pm
Race 3: American Magic v Luna Rossa, 4:37 PM
Race 4: Team NZ v Ineos Team UK, 5.15pm
