Teams take it easy waiting for wind
VALENCIA, Spain: Alinghi and Team New Zealand took it easy yesterday, enjoying their last day off before they run into the final straight of the America's Cup.
Alinghi are 4-2 up in the best-of-nine series and could have won the Cup on Sunday if the wind had turned up and allowed the teams to race.
Instead, the breeze failed to build up and the committee called the boats back into harbour. Race seven will now start today at about 1300 GMT, weather permitting.
"I don't think we'll go out sailing tomorrow. The guys will probably just have a light session in the gym, watch some race videos to prepare for Tuesday and go home fairly early," Alinghi team manager Grant Simmer said on Sunday.
Team New Zealand strategist Ray Davies said his team were also unlikely to take to the water but would use the day to gather their physical and psychological strength.
"It's probably good to have a bit of a break at this stage. It's been a long haul," he said.
Since mid-April, Team New Zealand have fought through 32 races of the Louis Vuitton Cup to win the right to challenge Alinghi for the America's Cup. So far in the title match, they have had six exciting, close races.
The 32nd America's Cup is a rematch of 2003 when Alinghi thrashed Team New Zealand 5-0 to become the first European syndicate to win sailing's most prestigious prize in its 156-year history.
Agencies
(China Daily 07/03/2007 page23)
