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Perfect weather for 34th Americas Cup

With some incredible wind coming in over the weekend the organisers and sailors at the 34th Americas Cup World Series will be chomping at the bit to get started. With forecasts of 20-30 knots the race crews may be pushed out of their comfort zone on the wing-sailed, AC45 catamarans when the action starts on Saturday afternoon.

On Friday morning, the nine skippers faced the media in the opening press conference, where the intensity of the racing was a frequent topic of conversation. The America’s Cup World Series in Plymouth will put many of the world’s best sailors together on short, challenging race courses designed to provoke close-action, near the shore. Spectators will be able to see all of the competition from the elevated vantage point of the Plymouth Hoe.

“I think if we get some good breeze it will make for some pretty exciting racing,” said Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker. “It’s demanding on the guys and the excitement factor goes up quickly towards the top end (of the wind range)… On these boats, you go pretty quickly from racing to survival and I’m sure if we get the strong winds there will be plenty of good action.”

Racing is scheduled to start on Saturday, September 10, in the Plymouth AC Preliminaries at 1410 local time (GMT+1) with three fleet races in the program as well as the Plymouth AC500 Speed Trial. Sunday has one longer fleet race. Following two off days, racing resumes on Wednesday through Sunday September 18.

All racing will be broadcast live at www.youtube.com/americascup.

The America’s Cup World Series brings the focus of the sailing world to Plymouth for nine days. The Leader of the Plymouth Council, Councillor Vivien Pengelly, said: “We are delighted to be hosting such a fabulous event and the whole city is buzzing with excitement. For the city, the economic benefits of hosting the World Series could run into millions at a time when our businesses will welcome the boost.”

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