More Delays for America's Cup Showdown

VALENCIA, Spain (AP) -- Strong wind and rough seas on Tuesday kept Alinghi and BMW Oracle from training the day before the first race of their America's Cup showdown pitting the fastest, most powerful sailboats ever built.

Cup holder Alinghi decided against launching its catamaran, while American challenger BMW Oracle got its trimaran on the water -- with president Larry Ellison aboard -- but eventually decided to abandon a planned practice.

The American challenger had wanted to test some sails, but said conditions made training "too risky."

"If it wasn't the day before a race we would have been out there," BMW Oracle skipper Jimmy Spithill said. "We'll see what tomorrow brings and if it is like it was today we'll be out there."

The first race was called off on Monday because of light, unsteady wind, pushing back the start of the three-race series to Wednesday.

The team tested the America's Cup challenger off the coast of San Diego for more than a year.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us