Following yesterday's crash of a passenger plane at San Francisco airport, the Louis Vuitton Cup is now also plunging to unexpected depths. For the first time in the history of this elimination regatta for the America's Cup, an opening race (12:15 local time, 21:15 CEST) will take place with only one boat.
Luna Rossa, the Italian team sponsored by Prada, which was still busy training on Saturday, will not start the race against Team New Zealand today because they want to await the decision of the international jury regarding the protest that was submitted on 2 July. The jury is due to meet on Monday. "Not unexpected, but still disappointing," said Stephen Barclay, head of the Event Authority. "It's a case of unwillingness, not inability."
The Italians, who are accusing regatta director Iain Murray of overstepping his authority because he changed the class rules in favour of larger trim tabs on the oars without the consent of all teams, are invoking Article 4 of the class rules. This is intended to prevent the defender or a third party from changing the rules unilaterally and at short notice. Modezar Patrizio Bertelli's team doubts that the rule changes are necessary in the service of increased safety measures.
This attitude on the part of the Italians is another serious blow for the Cup organisers. Already on Friday at the opening spectacle, the AC72s were not allowed out for parade sailing or time trials because there was too much wind (for them). The spectators, who have so far shown patience in this confusion, but even more so the sponsors, who have so far received little in return for their commitment, have been left behind.
The New Zealanders, who have also protested against the rule changes, still want to sail in order to secure the point that is credited for a win - with or without an opponent. Perhaps they see it as training for the races against Artemis, who are also not competing ...
Speaking of Artemis: Team Principal Paul Cayard indicated to "Sail Racing Magazine" Artemis, for example, indicated that his team might be eliminated altogether if the jury decides in favour of Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa. The reason: Artemis could not build the rudders with smaller, asymmetrical trim tabs demanded by the Kiwis and Italians in a hurry, especially as the second boat would also have to be taught to foil ...
