AC World Series Naples - Racing abandoned for first time

by Tim Jeffery on 14 Apr 2012 America's Cup World Series Naples fourth day of racing was abandoned; the first time ever in the four ACWS events held so far.

The reason was not due to wind conditions, but rather expected difficulties in launching and hauling the AC45 wingsail catamarans.

'My heart says ‘go sailing,’' said Regatta Director Iain Murray. 'But my brain says we will have a very difficult recovery situation of the boats tonight. It could be dangerous for boats and people.'

Strong overnight winds have left a swell running, which has been crashing onto the breakwaters protecting the launch and recovery areas. With a second spike of strong winds due mid-afternoon, race organizers we concerned that even if the AC45s were launched successfully and taken out through breaking waves, then the situation would be worse after racing was completed.

Today’s scheduled Fleet Races seven and eight have been struck from the program.

Sunday’s outlook is for an improvement in conditions. The semifinals and final of the match racing are slated to go ahead, along with the 500m Speed Trial and the high points scoring Race nine Fleet Race finale, which will determine the ACWS Naples Champion.

In the match racing semis, Oracle Racing Bundock will square off against Italy’s Luna Rossa Piranha (Chris Draper), with the winner advancing to meet either Sweden’s Artemis Racing (Terry Hutchinson) or Luna Rossa Swordfish (Paul Campbell-James) in the final.

America’s Cup World Series Naples Fleet Racing Overall Standings
Team (Country) R1 – R2 – R3 – R4 – R5 – R6 — Total
1. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) 3 (8) – 1 (10) – 1 (10) – 1 (10) – 7 (4) – 1 (10) — 52 points
2. ORACLE Racing Spithill (USA) 1 (10) – 3 (8) – 7 (4) – 4 (7) – 2 (9) – 2 (9) — 47
3. Luna Rossa – Piranha (ITA) 6 (5) – 6 (5) – 2 (9) – 3 (8) – 3 (8) – 4 (7) — 42
4. Team Korea (KOR) 4 (7) – 2 (9) – 5 (6) – 6 (5) – 5 (6) – 5 (6) — 39
5. Energy Team (FRA) 2 (9) – 4 (7) – 8 (3) – 5 (6) -1 (100 – 7 (4) — 39
6. Luna Rossa – Swordfish (ITA) 7 (4) – 5 (6) – 6 (5) – 2 (9) – 8 (3) – 3 (8) — 35
7. ORACLE Racing Bundock (USA) 5 (6) – DNC – 4 (7) – 8 (3) – 4 (7) – 6 (5) — 28
8. Artemis Racing (SWE) DNF – DNC – 3 (8) – 7 (4) – 6 (5) – 8 (3) — 20
9. China Team (CHN) DNF – DNC – 9 (2) – 9 (2) – 9 (2) – 9 (2) — 8

(Note: Standings reflect race finish and (points scored) in parenthesis)

America’s Cup World Series Naples Match Racing Championship
Qualifier 1 // April 12
Artemis Racing d. China Team

Quarterfinal 1 // April 12
Oracle Racing Bundock d. ORACLE Racing Spithill

Quarterfinal 2 // April 12
Luna Rossa Piranha d. Team Korea

Quarterfinal 3 // April 13
Artemis Racing d. Emirates Team New Zealand

Quarterfinal 4 // April 13
Luna Rossa Swordfish d. Energy Team

Semifinal 1 // April 15
Artemis v. Luna Rossa Swordfish winner

Semifinal 2 // April 15
Oracle Racing Bundock vs. Luna Rossa Piranha

Final // April 15
Semifinal 1 winner v. Semifinal 2 winner

Oracle Racing Americas Cup website