Well, it nearly happened. Very nearly. After three days' racing cancelled through lack of wind and most of the fourth spent drifting listlessly on both Romeo and Juliet courses, a consistent breeze started not so much to kick in, but to shuffle in.

Shortly before 1600 on Juliet a breeze of between 6 and 7 knots, consistent across the course, appeared, contrary to most of the met predictions. And ten minutes later, after the Race Officer had led the armada of race boats, support boats, press boats and spectators further south on Romeo, the same conditions became established.

At the time a couple of the teams had started to head back to Port America's Cup, anticipating another cancellation. All of a sudden mainsails were hoisted, tow boats cast off and Areva, BMW Oracle Racing, 39 and Luna Rossa started sailing.

An hour later, in a dying breeze, it was up stumps again and a fourth cancellation in a row. This leaves ACM with some serious problems over the re-organisation of Round Robin 1. And for tomorrow, the first of the reserve days, conditions look little better. The Valencia Vacuum is starting to suck in the Louis Vuitton Cup.

Friday is a reserve day, the first opportunity to run the first day's postponed flights, hence the return to flights 1 & 2.

The ones to watch are marked with our star rating

*** Must watch match
** Could be interesting
* Still better than working


FRIDAY (RESERVE DAY) - FLIGHT 1

North Course
Mascalzone Latino v Emirates Team New Zealand ***
Plus 39 v Areva Challenge **

South Course
United Internet Team Germany v BMW Oracle Racing
Team Shosholoza v Victory Challenge ***
China Team v Luna Rossa

FRIDAY (RESERVE DAY) - FLIGHT 2

North Course
Desafio Espanol v Plus 39 **
Mascalzone Latino v Areva Challenge **

South Course
United Internet Team Germany v Team Shosholoza **
China Team v BMW Oracle Racing
Victory Challenge v Luna Rossa **



HOW TO WATCH, LISTEN AND FOLLOW THE ACTION

****** RESULTS ******
Click Here for Results

****** ONLINE RACE TRACKER ******
AmericasCupAnywhere

****** VIDEO ******
Daily video news story

****** LIVE AUDIO ******
Follow the action live from Valencia
Broadcast starts at 1355 local time (1255 GMT)

ASHORE
To listen to the daily commentary log on to the official site at;
Click here then Live info and Radio

AFLOAT
If you're in town, listen on:

English
VHF Ch71
Spanish
FM 87.8 - Valencia


Yachting World - Matthew Sheahan, 19 April 2007