19 Feb 2021

America's Cup races back on this weekend

From Morning Report, 6:51 am on 19 February 2021

After days of back and forth between race organisers and the Challengers of Record, Luna Rossa, the America's Cup Challenger Selection Series final will resume on Saturday at 4pm with two races.

Two more races will take place on Sunday. Luna Rossa are leading the series 4-nil over Team UK and need three more wins to get through to the America's Cup racing against Team New Zealand.

Race director Iain Murray says part of the breakdown this week between Luna Rossa and the local organisers could be down to different world views when it comes to sport and the pandemic.

While there was prolonged debate about when the professional sailors would be back on the water the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron will also be racing in Auckland on Friday.

While Auckland remains at alert level 2, the America's Cup Village will remain closed to fans and race courses that offer the best viewing from land wouldn't be used to prevent fans congregating at popular vantage points.