Team New Zealand have selected Britain's BAR as their semi-final opponents in Bermuda, believing that will provide the smoothest pathway to challenge for the America's Cup.
"Whilst we tried hard to race, we unfortunately had to postpone the four races planned for Sunday until Monday because the winds simply didn't reach the required six knot strength", ACRM Regatta Director Iain Murray said.
June 3 (Reuters) - Oracle Team USA ensured they will start their defence of the America's Cup with a crucial extra point by beating Emirates Team New Zealand and Britain's Land Rover BAR to win the qualifier event on Saturday.
As the defending champions, Team USA sit out the semi-finals and final of qualifying and await the challenger they produce for the 35th America's Cup.
Team USA remained stuck on seven points as they were handed just their second defeat of the competition by Artemis Racing of Sweden.
"Every win you can get in the America's Cup match is extremely powerful and I'm very, very proud of the team to have held their own under some serious pressure today, both on and off the water, to get the job done today", Spithill said.
However, with Oracle Team USA's place in the America's Cup Match already assured as the Defenders of the "Auld Mug", Emirates Team New Zealand were handed the opportunity to select their opposition in the next stage after finishing as the next highest seeded team from the final qualifiers standings.
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After the first week of competition, which will see the elimination of one team, Land Rover BAR are secure in third place out of six teams, but they're a long way behind the United States, who are the defending champions, and New Zealand. "That race tomorrow between the Kiwis and us, that's the bonus point".
Team New Zealand crossed ahead of Oracle on the third leg but Spithill squeezed through the gate mark in the lead.
Conditions suggest light-air masters Emirates Team New Zealand will set up a rematch with Oracle Team USA, but there will be no margin for error.
France, who as late challengers for the America's Cup were regarded as underdogs, face Sweden's Artemis Racing on Saturday. The Swedes will now meet Team Japan in the semi-finals. "It's a shame we couldn't reward them with a win, but it's good to know what we're capable of when it comes down to it".
In the meantime, they will be looking at flying in a team of boat builders and components to make further changes in their quest for speed, Spithill said at a televised briefing.
"What happened?" Ainslie asked of his crew after a calamitous manoeuvre early in their race against New Zealand which left the most successful Olympic sailor ever rattled.
While Sir Ben Ainslie conceded a race for the first time in his illustrious sailing career, the AC50 showed little improvement over her competitor in the final race of the day.
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