America’s Cup races postponed due to storms a day after lightning struck near yacht

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BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — The America’s Cup organizers have called off Wednesday’s racing due to stormy weather, a day after lightning struck near a sailing yacht.

The race committee opted to push back the day’s races to an unspecified date after storms gathered over Barcelona’s Mediterranean coast and unleashed more lightning and steady rain.

The decision came after a race was called off on Tuesday when lightning struck a few hundred meters (yards) from Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli’s racing boat. Organizers immediately ordered for the race against Team Emirates New Zealand to be abandoned and both boats hurried back to their bases in Barcelona’s old port.

The opening stage of the competition will eliminate the lowest-scoring yacht by Sunday.

Luna Rossa leads with a 4-0 record. INEOS Britannia is 3-1, NYYC American Magic 2-2, while Alinghi Red Bull Racing and Orient Express Racing Team are 1-4.

The remaining four boats will enter two-round playoffs to decide which one will take the Louis Vuitton Cup and earn a place in the America’s Cup match, where it will face holder New Zealand.

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