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Bad omen at royal launch of GBR

Harrison and Princess Anne expressed confidence in the team and boat

COWES, England - Britain's challenge for the America's Cup began ominously after the traditional bottle of champagne failed to smash across its bow.

Britain's Princess Anne, President of the Royal Yachting Association, launched the boat for GBR Challenge at the port of Cowes on the Isle of Wight, off the south coast, on Friday.

However, the bottle she threw at the boat bounced off the hull as she stood next to GBR Challenger founder millionaire Peter Harrison, Britain's Press Association reported.

The lack of a smash is considered bad luck in the sailing world.

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"She had to pull a rope and the bottle hit the hull but didn't smash. There was then a bit of a pause while people decided what to do," an onlooker told PA.

Team member Craig Nutter then jumped on to the boat, GBR-70, and succeeded in smashing the bottle.

"The Princess then gave the man a double thumbs-up. She did seem a bit embarrassed about it," the onlooker added.

Despite the omen, Princess Anne expressed confidence in the team.

"The crew have already shown that they can compete with the best in the world and if the boat behind us is fast, this campaign could really put Great Britain back in the frame in one of the most prestigious competitions in the sporting world."

The yacht is also called Wight Lightning after suggestions from viewers of the long-running British children's television programme Blue Peter.

GBR Challenger, one of nine teams in the Louis Vuitton Cup, has 32 sailors and 22 support team members in Auckland, with 45 boat builders and designers in Cowes.

GBR Challenge is the first British entry in the America's Cup since 1987 and has a budget of £18 million ($25.9 million).

"Today is an emotional moment for me, as after all of the months of plotting and planning with David Barnes and Ian Walker, this really brings home that so many of our plans are reaching fruition, making history," Harrison said.

"I hope and expect that this is the start of something special for Great Britain."

Skipper Ian Walker said: "Today is an historic day, but it will be looked back upon as even more historic if we can succeed in Auckland. The Louis Vuitton Cup starts in 172 days, and I cannot wait to start racing."

It is the second time that the Princess has failed to smash a bottle of champagne against a ship.

In May 2000, the bottle at the launch of the Aurora in Southampton fell out of its harness before it even hit the hull. The ship suffered mechanical problems and returned to Southampton just two days into its maiden voyage.

The Louis Vuitton Cup begins in October in Auckland, New Zealand, with the winner going on to challenge current cup holders, Team New Zealand, in February.

Wight Lightning will be put onto a container ship next week to begin her five-week journey to Auckland.