Team New Zealand was dead in the water at the start of Race 3 after the starting buoy’s anchor line snagged the rudder, forcing crewman Blair Tuke to jump into the water to free the boat.
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When you’re sailing around New York Harbor, anything is possible, as the America’s Cup World Series competitors and especially Emirates Team New Zealand found out Sunday. Linking timepieces with these America’s Cup special events makes good sense: As with any sport, timing is everything, with valuable points applied towards the final race taking place in Bermuda next year.
“We’ve been pretty strong as a team when it’s been quite windy, but Oman was a light-wind regatta and we suffered with our starting”.
Team New Zealand clinched the win at the NY regatta of America’s Cup world series that almost didn’t go ahead at all after yesterday’s weak winds.
In order to participate in the America’s Cup World Series, and eventually the America’s Cup races, competitors have to put up a $1 million entry fee and a $2 million bond to guarantee that they will maintain their campaigns through the ACWS as well as competition in Bermuda, America’s Cup protocol indicates.
The races were supposed to take place at 2 pm but were delayed by an hour.
Team NZ stretch their series lead from six to eight points over Team USA, who notched two second placings on Sunday.
ORACLE TEAM USA was poised to race in NY before very light winds forced the postponement of all planned races.
At a media preview this week, the six team leaders competing discussed the NY race.
“Every race we do, we learn”.
The regatta is the second stop of 2016 in the America’s Cup World Series.
The forecast for Sunday has winds in the 15-20 knot range, which is the sweet spot for high-stakes action in the new America’s Cup boats. “We’ll have more great racing for you”.
“We have been eagerly awaiting this moment and look forward to getting out on the water for the races this weekend”, said Oracle USA skipper Jimmy Spithill, in a statement.
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The substitute race will only count for points if three races can not be raced tomorrow.
