Yachting: Delay favours Barker's crew

Photos: Best of the America's Cup

The two-day break should work in Team New Zealand's favour as they try to get back into the America's Cup game.

Race seven was cancelled yesterday because of an unstable breeze when high cloud started to form just after noon.

Today is the final lay day. Racing will now continue until a winner is found.

Alinghi are on a roll - they want to get the job done and get out of here. We know from past America's Cups that time delays and climatic changes can paint a different picture.

If you are on a roll you want to keep going, if not you want a delay.

The New Zealanders have had two races which they could have won and been 4-2 up.

They were beaten in race five through gear breakage. In race six they just got caught on the wrong side of the course; it was a 50-50 call.

You are a bit like a possum in headlights when you have been knocked around like that so having a bit of time to regroup and talk about things, all the cliches ... focus, visualise, winning the next race ... will be good for Team New Zealand.

The more time you have to go through that thought process the stronger it is going to be for them. It is to their benefit.

It is not a huge deal but it is something.

Full coverage of the America's Cup from nzherald.co.nz/americascup and desktoptv.co.nz