Yachting: America's Cup fleet racing spectacular

A variety of conditions were dished up during the America's Cup match-racing regatta in Trapani, described by veteran Alinghi tactician Brad Butterworth as one of the toughest events he had sailed in.

There were only two boats on the startline, but throw in another 10 for the three-day fleet racing which starts tomorrow and the same big seas and oscillating winds and is it anyone's guess who will emerge victorious in the year's final pre-regatta in Sicily.

"It has been the hardest sailing conditions I have probably experienced in a sailing regatta - with big waves and a lot of wind," Butterworth said after the match-racing regatta.

"We had 28 knots when we sailed the Swedes I think, against Luna Rossa it was brutal ... you have to have confidence in your boat and in your shore team."

Fleet racing is new to America's Cup racing. The sailors love it and for the spectators seeing 12 gigantic cup yachts hurtling around one course is breathtaking.

The racing also throws up some interesting results. In the regatta in Valencia, Mascalzone Latino finished first and last in the same day.

Like Butterworth, Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker expects the racing to be close.

"If there is breeze you'd expect some of the better teams to be able to use boat speed to their advantage but if it is light and shifty anyone could do well."

New Zealander Cameron Dunn, who was starting helmsman for Mascalzone Latino in the final day of the match-racing regatta, said the conditions experienced during last week would be the hardest you would ever get.

"It was sort of pleasing to see Alinghi break something and Team New Zealand drop a spinnaker in the water because it shows that it is not easy out there. You are praying a lot that stuff is going to hang in there. This is a damn good test."

If the conditions are anything like last week, Dunn said the thousands who venture down to the cup park or out to the race course each day were in for a treat.

"There could be some good action for the spectators. I am not sure about us though - it could be a little scary."