America’s Cup: The Story of Goldilocks

Hamilton, Bermuda (June 7, 2017) – The rules of the 35th America’s Cup state the winds need to fit between 6 and 24 knots, and the habits of the Atlantic Ocean kept the four Challenger teams ashore today as conditions exceeded the upper limit.

America’s Cup Race Management (ACRM), the independent organisation responsible for the rules and regulations of America’s Cup racing, postponed racing due to the sea-state and wind speeds on Bermuda’s Great Sound racecourse exceeding the 24 knot speed limit agreed by all six America’s Cup teams.

“Whilst there was dramatic action yesterday, well within the wind speed limits, today was a different matter,” reports Iain Murray, ACRM Race Director. “We have been constantly monitoring conditions on the racecourse during the course of the day and have decided that there will be no racing today as the sea-state and average wind speed measured on the racecourse over the allotted time exceeded 24 knots.”

The four Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Challenger Playoffs Semi-Finals races scheduled today are now planned for tomorrow. As this was not a scheduled lay day, and as it is the last day of the Semi-Finals, the number of races will depend on how long it takes for the winner of each Semi-Final match to win five races in the best of nine series.

“The forecast for tomorrow is for lighter winds and good conditions,” notes Murray. “If those forecasts are accurate I am confident we will see more fantastic racing here in Bermuda.”

The top two teams to advance from the Semi-Finals will face each other on June 10 in the Challenger Finals (best of 9) to determine who will take on the Defender in the America’s Cup Match.

The 35th America’s Cup is revising the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. After 13 days, two days have been too windy, too days have been too light, and nine days have been just right. Here’s the scoreboard:

May 26 – Too windy
May 31 – Too light
June 4 – Too light
June 7 – Too windy

Overall Results (Winner is first team to 5)
Emirates Team New Zealand (3) vs Land Rover BAR (1)
SoftBank Team Japan (3) vs Artemis Racing (1)

Event details – Results – Facebook

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Source: ACEA