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(Reuters) - The
36th America's Cup will begin with the first two races next
Wednesday, organisers confirmed on Friday, after the New Zealand
government announced the strict coronavirus lockdown in host
city Auckland would be eased on Sunday morning.
The first four races in the contest for the oldest trophy in
international sport were scheduled for Saturday and Sunday in
Auckland but postponed after the New Zealand government
announced the seven-day lockdown on the city last weekend.
"The highly anticipated Race 1 of the 36th America’s Cup Match
will start ... on Wednesday 10th March after the government
announced a reduction in alert levels today," race organisers
said in a statement.
The best-of-13 match between holders Team New Zealand and
Italian challengers Luna Rossa will continue with two races on
Friday, March 12 and every day thereafter until a winner is
decided.
Auckland will still be at level two of New Zealand's four-stage
alert system from Sunday, which means racing will only be
allowed on two of the five courses in the Hauraki Gulf and there
will be no big screen broadcast of the races in the city.
Should the government subsequently drop the city to alert level
one, then the other courses will be allowed to host races and
big crowds can be expected on the shore.
Luna Rossa earned its place in the America's Cup after beating
Team UK in last month's Prada Cup challenger series final, which
was halted after two days of racing when Auckland entered a
three-day lockdown.
The Italian team, who held a 4-0 lead at the time, opposed
pushing back the races until the restrictions in the city were
lifted.
Friday's government announcement that the rest of the country
will drop to level one from Sunday morning means a crowd will be
allowed for New Zealand's fifth and final Twenty20 cricket match
against Australia in Wellington later that day.
Fans were not allowed into Wellington Stadium for the third
match of the series on Wednesday and will again be shutout for
Friday's fourth contest in the capital.
The Canterbury Crusaders first home Super Rugby Aotearoa match
of the season was also moved from Saturday to Sunday in
anticipation of restrictions being eased, allowing a crowd at
Christchurch Stadium.
(Reporting by Nick Mulvenney in Sydney, editing by Shri
Navaratnam and Lincoln Feast.)
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