The wait continues, this time it’s too much breeze, Matthew Sheahan reports. This story will be updated as the day progresses
1200 CET – The long morning wait ended with the race being called off for today. The sea state rather than the wind appeared to be the problem today. With bright sunshine outside and a modest breeze in the harbour, many of the spectators will find it difficult to understand why there’s no racing today. Of course the answer is a long story.
0945 CET – Late last night today’s race was postponed by two hours. This morning racing was delayed by a further hour with a start not before 1pm CET.
The problem? The wind and the sea state. While the forecast shows the wind decreasing it only drops from low twenties to high teens with gusts into 20-23 knot range.
To add to the problems the sea state has picked up with the stiff north easterly breeze and is now running at 1.5m plus offshore. But this is no long, lazy wave train, the short steep nature of the conditions here are said to be a problem for these fragile monster multis.
So once again it looks like we’re squatting down for the day, this time waiting for conditions to moderate. We’ll be keeping you posted as things shape up through the day.
LINKS
LIVE ONLINE COVERAGE
OFFICIAL AMERICA’S CUP ONLINE COVERAGE
PJ Montgomery, Andy Green and Cam Lewis will provide live commentary on the racing which will include Virtual Eye live animations.
BMW ORACLE
LIVE RACE COVERAGE
Will be streaming live coverage with expert commentators Martin Tasker and Peter Lester, starting with the preparations for docking out. The coverage will then switch to the official feed for the racing. After racing BMW Oracle will switch to their live coverage back to the dock.
ESPN360
ESPN360 Free online coverage
MATT’S BLOG
CLICK HERE to check out my blog for additional, Cup comment, analysis, video snippets and audio.
LINKS & INFORMATION
YW PREVIEW SPECIAL
Check out our previews to the Cup as published in the January and February 2010 issues of Yachting World now available in pdf format and available free online.
CLICK HERE -AC33 PREVIEW – THE BOATS
CLICK HERE – AC33 PREVIEW PART 2 – TEAM TALK
CLICK HERE – AC33 PREVIEW PART 3 – COURSES AND CONDITIONS
YW VIDEO CLIPS
**NEW VIDEO** See BMW Oracle from astern
See BMW Oracle hit 25 knots in 6-8 knots of wind
Take a video tour around Alinghi
Russell Coutts gives a guided tour of the giant wing
OFFICIAL SITE
Official 33rd America’s Cup Site
AERIAL VIEW OF THE HARBOUR
Aerial view of Darsena and commercial harbours
FOLLOWING THE CUP – TV & ONLINE
More news on this as it comes to us but at present:
ESPN 360 has acquired the internet rights for the free live online coverage.
ESPN360 Free online coverage
WEATHER – FORECASTS
Wind and Waves Valencia – Puertos del Estado
CURRENT WEATHER
XC>Weather Spain – Current National conditions
HOW TO GET TO AMERICA’S CUP VENUE
To Valencia by Air:
The easiest way is to fly to Valencia and then take a taxi. Approx cost of taxi to harbour, €20
See www.valenciaport.com for more information
Unfortunately, at this time of year there are fewer direct flights to Valencia than during the summer season. Therefore an alternative route is to fly to Alicante and either take the train or hire a car. Driving takes approx 2 hours and car rental is cheap.
To harbour from Valencia train station:
A taxi from the train station is about a 20-minute ride.
By car:
Heading to Valencia on the A7 toll motorway, connect to the V-15 or V-30 to the port, which is signposted.