Light winds may cause a delay to the start of the Prada Cup final on Saturday, according to regatta director Iain Murray.
While overhead conditions are ideal, Murray says the wind forecast during the scheduled 4:12pm race time between INEOS Team UK and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli could struggle to surpass the 6.5 knot minimum required for racing.
"I think we will race today," Murray said at his morning briefing. "But there may be a delay if the wind doesn’t build in time."
The conditions have led Murray to select Course A for the final's opening races, which is set further up Auckland's North Shore.
Saturday's pair of races may also be reduced from six to four legs.
A south-east wind is holding back a north-easterly that is expected to increase and eventually plateau later this afternoon, Murray explains.
The lighter wind will likely favour the Italians, although Team UK's performance during the round-robin dispelled many of the doubts surrounding their ability to perform in such conditions.
The forecast for Sunday's racing is much more encouraging, Murray adds.
"There's a bit more breeze tomorrow and it looks like a lovely day," he says.
Team UK and Luna Rossa square off in a best-of-13 series to determine who will face Emirates Team NZ in the America's Cup next month.
Join us for live updates of the Prada Cup final from 4pm