Singleboat ‘racing’ could be in store
YACHTING
AUCKLAND: There is no guarantee the race schedule will change for the third and fourth roundrobin in the Prada Cup — meaning teams could be forced to race on their own in order to bank points.
The challengers and defender Team New Zealand have met to discuss possible changes to the schedule, given American Magic has been forced to withdraw from racing while it makes urgent repairs to its boat Patriot, following the capsize and near sinking on Sunday.
The original schedule for Friday had American Magic in races against Luna Rossa and Ineos Team UK. But the schedule has been taken down from the Prada Cup website, which now reads ‘‘race schedule to be confirmed’’ for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Regatta director Iain Murray said no agreement had been reached at yesterday morning's meeting to alter the schedule.
Murray noted there has to be unanimous agreement among the teams, and that boats could be left racing themselves in a quasipractice outing if the schedule does not change. ‘‘The schedule is the schedule that has been agreed by everyone and one possibility is it doesn't change and we go out and have one boat lining up at the start on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and obviously the two boats lining up — Ineos Team UK [against] Luna Rossa — when their scheduled matches are,’’ Murray said.
‘‘We are working through with the teams to see if there's a more efficient way to do that but bearing in mind there still are races with American Magic on the table that need resolving. So it's not as simple as ‘there's two races and we will just amend it'; there are a lot more pieces to the puzzle.’’
Murray's preference is for the races to take place on Saturday and Sunday when more spectators are out on the water.
The regatta director felt there is a will among the teams to come to the best possible solution.
‘‘. . . I think everyone is looking at this in a positive aspect. Everyone obviously has their point of view and we just need to arrive at a conclusion to change it from the current schedule.’’
He conceded no change would be a bad look for the event.