America’s Cup races postponed in Barcelona due to bad weather

In Barcelona, Switzerland’s Alinghi Red Bull Racing and France’s Orient Express Racing Team faced a delay in their America’s Cup races due to adverse weather conditions. Significant rain showers and the threat of lightning led organizers to postpone the races to Monday. This postponement was particularly beneficial for Orient Express, which had been dealing with structural damage to its boat after a nosedive during a practice run earlier in the day. They managed to make some repairs before the races were called off. Both teams are currently at the bottom of the standings, with only one able to advance after the final round-robin regattas. For Orient Express to progress, they must defeat INEOS Britannia while hoping that Alinghi loses to Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli. This scenario would allow them to tie on points, necessitating a tiebreaker race. Meanwhile, INEOS Britannia and NYYC American Magic secured their spots in the America’s Cup playoffs, joining Luna Rossa, which had already qualified. The playoff series is set to commence on September 14, determining which challenger will compete for the Louis Vuitton Cup and a chance to face Emirates Team New Zealand in the America’s Cup match scheduled for October. New Zealand is currently participating in the opening phase of the competition, but their races do not contribute to the standings. The weather-related postponement has added an unexpected twist to the competition, impacting the strategies of the teams involved.