A busy day at Port America's Cup

A slow start to the Louis Vuitton Cup on a busy day at Port America's Cup

Valencia, 16 April, 2007 - Following a four year programme of racing across Europe, on Monday the first day of racing in the Louis Vuitton Cup was scheduled. For the first time, the challengers were sailing for their lives, with elimination looming after two Round Robins.

But the weather didn't fully cooperate. For the more than 50 thousand spectators in the AC Park on a holiday Monday, it was a beautiful, warm, sunny day; the first for weeks. But on the water, the wind needed for fair racing never materialised with a very light and unstable sea breeze teasing race officials and sailors alike. Racing was postponed with the teams remaining on the water all afternoon. Race Officers Peter Reggio and Harold Bennett held station until 16:50 when racing was called off for the day.

The postponed matches will be pushed to the first available racing slot, which is the Reserve Day on Friday. On Tuesday, racing is scheduled to continue with Flights Three and Four, as previously scheduled.

It wasn't only the sailors and spectators who were disappointed. There were some international VIPs on board many of the race boats in the '18th man' position. On Emirates Team New Zealand, Prime Minister Helen Clark occupied that role. On Luna Rossa, American television and movie actor Ashton Kutcher was on board, whilst BMW ORACLE Racing hosted German fashion model Tatjana Patitz.

Scheduled matches on Tuesday:

FLIGHT 3

Match Equipo
1 Luna Rossa Challenge vs. United Internet Team Germany
2 Victory Challenge vs. China Team
3 BMW ORACLE Racing vs. Team Shosholoza
4 Areva Challenge vs. Desafìo Español 2007
5 Emirates Team New Zealand vs. +39 Challenge
Bye - Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team

FLIGHT 4

Match Equipo
1 United Internet Team Germany vs. China Team
2 Team Shosholoza vs. Luna Rossa Challenge
3 Victory Challenge vs. BMW ORACLE Racing
4 Areva Challenge vs. Emirates Team New Zealand
5 Desafìo Español 2007 vs. Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team
Bye - +39 Challenge

Louis Vuitton Cup - Round Robin One - Provisional Leaderboard

Position Team Bonus Points Matches Sailed Matches Won Total Points
1 Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL 92) 4 0 4
2 BMW ORACLE Racing (USA 98) 3 0 3
2 Luna Rossa Challenge (ITA 94) 3 0 3
2 Desafìo Español 2007 (ESP 97) 3 0 3
5 Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia (ITA 99) 2 0 2
5 Victory Challenge (SWE 96) 2 0 2
5 Team Shosholoza (RSA 83) 2 0 2
5 +39 Challenge (ITA 85) 2 0 2
9 Areva Challenge (FRA 93) 1 0 1
9 United Internet Team Germany (GER 89) 1 0 1
9 China Team (CHN 95) 1 0 1

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ends

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