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Racing in the America’s Cup World Series has turned into chaos after officials struggled to move a large fleet of spectators out of the way after a late course change in Auckland.
The decisive day for the series was delayed by at least an hour, when hundreds of ships that had docked on the east side of the course suddenly met halfway.
Official ships with large “Back” signs pushed their way through the fleet trying to clear the ships.
It was the first real test for water management on the third day of the event in the port of Waitematā.
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Ricky Wilson / Stuff
The large fleet of spectators proved difficult to change when the course changed before competing on Day 3 of the America’s Cup World Series in Auckland.
The first disputed schedule, which will start at 15:12, will finally drop around 16:20.
The regatta management had established a sophisticated information system to allow them to communicate with the spectators’ boats in real time, but this was dependent on those boats having previously registered on the official website.
Saturday’s problems were compounded by light winds that necessitated a late course change, on a course set in a relatively narrow corridor between Rangitoto Island and the stretch from North Head past Takapuna and further north.
Ricky Wilson / Stuff
Race officials struggled to change a large fleet of spectators after a turnaround at the America’s Cup World Series in Auckland.
No immediate comment has been received from the race leadership.
