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America's Cup rules under fire
AUCKLAND, New Zealand -- The president of the International Olympic Committee has called for the America's Cup to change its rules after the regatta postponed another race due to wind conditions. Jacques Rogge, a former Olympic sailor, was scheduled to sail as a guest with Swiss Alinghi in Friday's semifinals but lost his chance because the race was called off due to winds. Rogge said at a news conference: "It's a pity to see these splendid boats can't sail in a 25 knot breeze. "I think there should be a system whereby you provide for continuity in the races and you can only do that if you allow the boats to sail in more wind." Current cup rules state races can only start if the wind averages between a minimum of seven knots and a maximum of 19 knots. "Other than no wind, I think there should be no excuse up until 35 knots. Ocean racers have no problem with that," Rogge said. Friday's postponement was the 16th time in 42 scheduled race days that sailing was postponed because of either too much or too little wind in the Hauraki Gulf. "Broadcasters and the public in general hate postponements. That's the worst thing you can do on television," Rogge said. Rogge, who is in New Zealand as part of a tour to meet Olympic committees in the Oceania region, also said the cup needs an independent body that decides on the format, dates and boats. Currently, the challenger series and the America's Cup match are managed separately by challengers and defender. Rogge said the uncertainty about when or where the next America's Cup would be held is something you do not see in other sports. "I understand the difficulties but I think the choice of the location should be such that you don't have (weather considerations) in the future because this is stopping the quality of the coverage," Rogge said. "The America's Cup is on the verge of reaching the top league of major events and that's why I think these changes are probably needed."
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