'Bored' race organiser changes rules

By SUZANNE McFADDEN

Even the man running the races in the America's Cup says he is bored with the regatta that never ends.

Race director Harold Bennett is an Aucklander who understands the Hauraki Gulf. But he became so fed up with the wind deserting the racecourse whenever the boats turned out that he instigated a change to the rules so Team New Zealand and Prada can duel on a lay-day today.

The score in the Cup stands at Team New Zealand 3, Prada 0, Hughie the Weather God 4. "Hughie" is a mythical being sailors call to whenever they need wind.

Team New Zealand navigator Tom Schnackenberg went through a superstitious ritual yesterday to conjure up a breeze before the black boat left the dock.

"I always whistle and touch something wooden," he said. "So I touched the door frame at the base on my way out. Later I realised it was a metal ranchslider."

The America's Cup is somehow at odds with the weather. On race days there is no wind; on rest days there is inevitably a perfect breeze.

The racing schedule - sailing on Tuesdays, Thursdays and weekends - followed a pattern from the Cup in San Diego when Mondays and Fridays were avoided to allow the US Navy fleet to sail through the race course.

Bennett had to enter into "delicate negotiations" yesterday to change the timetable, when the forecast looked good for today.

"We weren't under any pressure to get it over with. It's just getting boring," Bennett said.

Both Team NZ and Prada had to agree first - and they did most happily - and then the decision went to the television broadcasters.

TVNZ, the host broadcaster, was willing to work an extra day today. ESPN was disappointed the rescheduled race would conflict with ice hockey in the United States.

The weather forecast for today and tomorrow is promising.

Bennett predicts 10-15 knots from the northeast. Team New Zealand's experts are even more optimistic with 13-18 knots.