America's Cup - Teams keep low profile ahead of Match restart + Video

by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World NZ on 22 Jun 2017

Emirates Team New Zealand's Peter Burling and Blair Tuke wait for the prize giving at the Red Bull Youth America's Cup Bermuda June 21, 2017 Richard Gladwell www.photosport.co.nz

The Defender and Challenger for the 35th America's Cup have kept a low profile in the five day hiatus before the regatta recommences on Saturday, local time.

Bermuda has been experiencing the weather typical for this time of the year - light winds, in marked contrast to the fresh conditions which dominated the Challenger Semi-Finals and Finals, and the Qualifier series.

Lighter winds only really came into play on the final day of the Challenger Final - where Emirates Team New Zealand dominated Artemis Racing to take the series 5-2.

Emirates Team New Zealand had Monday off, with Oracle Team USA, appearing to do the same. However the shed doors of both teams were shut - not allowing any view of what might be happening inside.

Oracle Team USA sailed twice on Tuesday, with the second session running into the early evening and relatively light winds.

Oracle Team USA expose their wing sail control as they prepare to go for a test sail - 35th America's Cup - Bermuda June 21, 2017 © Richard Gladwell www.photosport.co.nz

Both AC50's were out training again today, with Emirates Team New Zealand spending a lot of time at the top of the Great Sound, off Morgans Point where the Artemis Racing base is located. The team appeared to be testing new gear with the AC50 stopping near the top for an extended period - usually a sign that adjustments or alterations are being done by the shore support team.

When Oracle Team USA launched yesterday there were no signs of major changes to the AC50, and the expectation is that the Defender's configuration is being refined and tweaked rather than dramatic change being undertaken. Oracle Team USA's Grant Simmer says the racing was all conducted in much the same condition, and the changes being made by the team are focused on the daggerboard configuration and how the US team is sailing the AC50 in those conditions.

The teams are expected to sail again tomorrow, Thursday.

Moderate winds are forecast for Thursday and Friday, before turning lighter on Saturday and then increasing back to moderate strength 12-16kts on Sunday and the same for Monday and Tuesday.