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The forecast that has been lurking all week and that everyone hoped was wrong proved itself spot on today in Naples as punishing sea state from the west battered the coastline in Naples causing the race committee to cancel racing for the day.

The move is a blow to an event that has aimed to all but eliminate delays and cancellations in racing in order to satisfy the demands of TV and spectators. In addition, to have to cancel a weekend day in a city that has shown outstanding enthusiasm for the regatta with thousands of spectators lining the sea wall every day will have been particularly galling.

According to the organisers, the reason for the cancellation 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 organisers 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 7 and 8 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 9 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