America's Cup- The second race day on shore in Valencia

by Lorraine MacIntosh on 11 Feb 2010
Race day arrives with bright Mediterranean sunshine, and so do the locals.

A good breeze is blowing which unfortunately aggravates the large overnight drop in temperature, so a snug, sunny corner needs to be found. No one knows what's happening and no updates come through. The winners through all the waiting are hordes of school children who are seem much easier to entertain than America's Cup followers.

Weather is the issue and it's rather reminiscent of a New Zealand farmer's preoccupation with the forces of nature. The impressive collection of weather experts is supplemented by even more impressive weather modelling programmes. So far they have been disappointingly accurate. But while most of those informed by such sophisticated weather sources had little hope there would be racing on the second day, the public were not privy to this information and a good number of locals turned up to be part of the scene.

They arrived to the big public screen showing the days racing was under postponement, and then several hours later a cancellation notice. Progress reports haven't been factored in to the management process, either for the public or the impatient press corps, so speculation runs rife on what's going to happen.

Busloads of young school children are entertained by performers each day so delighted shouting and laughter give the public area a cheerful sound. The performers seem to have their work cut out for them with men on stilts, spool hurling clowns and even what must be an ex footballer, if you watch his ability at balancing a football. The football man even shows how the ball can be spun while he chats on his mobile, a rather unique way to cope with the waiting game.

To watch the action on the big screen, bean bags have been laid about on the ramp and provide a great place to catch some winter sun. Out of the wind it can be warm enough to get down to a T-shirt. After Tuesday's balmy 20º C, Wednesday's change is a real shock, even for the locals. Temperatures on the orange grove plans dropping dangerously close to zero degrees over night.

On the big screen, footage of each team's boat skimming across the water with a booming sound commentary fill in the space where one could have hoped there would be racing. Walking up the ramp to the deck area the food people are busy enticing people to eat American or Swiss food offerings. The Swiss seem to be winning with yummy bread dipped into fondue, gruyere cheese being offered around. The Swiss dressed, Spanish providers clearly enjoying their job.

On the north-west side of Veles e Vents the charter boats for supporters and paying public line up although there is now doubt about how much any passengers will see. The Valencia Port Authority has apparently banned corporate charter boats going out more than 6miles which effectively excludes them from seeing anything. The racing area includes the busy Mediterranean coastal shipping route so authorities are enforcing many regulations to stop traffic in the lane getting out of hand.

Both teams have agreed that racing can take place on Sunday, which has, thanks to the weather, provided the opportunity for a race when the Spanish can turn up without taking a day off work. This allows people from Madrid to join in and one could be forgiven to for thinking the Spanish may have God on their side as he does seem too concerned about either Alinghi or BMW Oracle.