Team NZ, Alinghi hope for moderate weather

By JULIE ASH

Moderate conditions are what Team New Zealand and Alinghi are hoping the wind gods deliver for the America's Cup match, which starts on Saturday.

Team New Zealand syndicate head Tom Schnackenberg said as long as the conditions are fair he will be happy.

"You don't want it to be too light and fluky," he said.

"And you don't want it to be too windy as you don't want the race to turn into a demolition derby."

Schnackenberg said race four of the Louis Vuitton challenger series final between Oracle and Alinghi was an example of less than satisfactory race conditions.

Configured for light conditions, Oracle trailed Alinghi at the first mark and sailed way off course where they landed a puff which secured them the race win.

"That is not what America's Cup racing is about," said Schnackenberg.

"You shouldn't race in conditions where it is light and fluky."

Unlike the challenger series which had wind limits, the America's Cup match has no restrictions. It will be up to the principal race officer, Harold Bennett, to make the call whether to start and quit racing for the safety of the crews.

For racing in the challenger series to begin the wind had to average between 7 and 19 knots over a five-minute period and not exceed an average of 23 knots during the race.

Throughout the challenger series Alinghi were keen to stick within the limits.

On the odd occasion if the wind was just above the limits teams were asked if they wanted to race.

Alinghi always insisted on racing within the limits - constantly aware that conditions in February were likely to be within a similar wind bracket.

Like Schnackenberg, Alinghi strategist Jochen Schuemann would like to see "good average winds".

"We would like 13 to 16 knots, to make it exciting for the spectators and ourselves," said Schuemann.

"We don't mind slightly stronger winds over 20 knots either because out on the water it is the same for both of us."

Although it is too early to predict the weather for next week Schnackenberg said he understands conditions are expected to be settled.

"We haven't seen any cyclones on the way."

With the Hauraki Gulf generally a tricky place to sail anyway because of the number of surrounding islands, Schnackeberg said teams have to be ready for whatever the wind gods decide to deliver.

Teams have until just before the five-minute gun to consult their weather teams as to the best way to approach the course.

"I wouldn't say the Hauraki Gulf is unpredictable - it is just difficult to predict," Schnackenberg said.

nzherald.co.nz/americascup

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