Yachting: Lonely journeys still worth sailing

By SUZANNE McFADDEN

It may seem a waste of time to the uninitiated, but both Young America and Le Defi France will race around the course alone today to seal their very different fates in the America's Cup.

Le Defi must safely negotiate the 18km track to collect the nine points that will put them in the top-six semifinals of the Louis Vuitton Cup. Their already-qualified opponents, America True, decided to forfeit the race and protect their only boat - no matter what the weather.

Young America, who admit they need divine intervention to stay in the cup, will race without their opposition. Young Australia have decided to call it a day.

Strong winds postponed racing yesterday for the second day in a row - prolonging the agony for both the French and the New Yorkers.

There are a couple of reasons why the Young Americans want to stay on the racecourse, instead of packing up base camp early.

The French boat could sink today. Or it could break a mast and not finish the race, in which case the Young America-Le Defi match-up the next day would suddenly become the decider.

Young America also want to finish seventh, which puts them in a position similar to the runner-up in a Miss Universe pageant.

In the unlikely event that one of the semifinalists is found to have violated cup protocol, and cannot start on January 2, the seventh-placed syndicate would be called up.

But there is a general feeling that the final race, between Young America and France, is a pointless exercise that should be waved away.

However, Young America head John Marshall made it clear in his concession speech on Monday evening that his crew had races to sail, and would sail them both.

The semifinalists cannot wait for this round to be over because they cannot begin making changes to their boats until racing officially ends.

If the weather does not improve today, racing will be postponed again ... and again if necessary ... and again ... until Christmas Eve. Then the plug will finally be pulled on round robin three.