Principal Race Officer Peter Reggio did everything in his power to start racing on Saturday afternoon, but was unable to squeeze off a start before the wind became too strong to assure safety for the America’s Cup crews and their boats.

With the offshore breeze gusting above 26-knots, and forecast to build to gale force strength later in the day, Reggio abandoned racing shortly before 13:00 on Saturday.

Reggio and the sailing teams proceeded to the race course in the morning determined to get at least one start in before the wind became too strong. But it was clear that the wind strength was simply too high for safe racing.

As the teams circled around the starting line, massive groans could be heard as rope screamed over the carbon drums on the winches. Spray was flying from the front of the boats, and waves were washing down the decks as the narrow bows on the America’s Cup boats knifed through the building seas.

The Race Committee has now scheduled two races on Sunday with a first start at 11:40, on a race course located further to the South of the Port of Valencia off El Saler.