America's Cup World Series: Day 2 Course and Forecast
by Richard Gladwell Sail-World NZ 18 Dec 2020 11:14 NZDT
18 December 2020
DEFIANT foils past Auckland's Rangitoto Island during her first sail at the venue of the upcoming America's Cup © American Magic / Ryan Pellett / ACE
Regatta Director Iain Murray has advised that stadium Course C will again be in use today, which is good news for race fans, but not so good for sailors
The wind is blowing from the NE, the opposite direction from yesterday, and will be in the 12-15kt range, easing slightly in the afternoon.
For the competitors the race course will become tricky as the NE corner is influenced by Rangitoto and variation in wind strength and direction is expected as they near the 650year old extinct volcano, which dominates the Auckland skyline.
To compensate the course has been dropped back as far as possible from Rangitoto - another bonus for land based spectators.
The first match is at 3.12pm between Luna Rossa and American Magic. The second between Emirates Team NZ and INEOS Team UK at 3.50hrs. Next is American Magic vs Luna Rossa at 4.37pm, with the last match of the day between Luna Rossa and Emirates Team NZ at 5.15pm.