The Copa America off Auckland has been postponed due to the coronavirus lockdown
DrThe 36th American Cup Classic Sailboat match won’t start on March 6 as planned. America’s Cup Limited event organizers. On Sunday, ACE announced the postponement of the flight from New Zealand’s North Island. The New Zealand government had previously ordered a strict seven-day lockdown to the “City of Sails” as a result of another Corona case in south Auckland.
ACE President Tina Simans stated that “the goal is to host as many races as possible” and an exemption will be provided for it. “But there will be no races until Wednesday 10 March,” they say. Meanwhile, the organizers want to work closely with the authorities and create an updated schedule.
The impetus for the lockdown in Auckland was the discovery of one infection in a city of nearly two million people. “It is likely that there will be more cases in the region,” New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told reporters. Through its strict measures, the Pacific nation has weathered the epidemic relatively well: New Zealand has a population of five million, and New Zealand has so far recorded just over 2,000 cases and 26 deaths.
Italians cause a lot of trouble
The defenders of the New Zealand Cup and their rivals Italy face each other in the competition for the world’s oldest sail cup. Due to a global pandemic, the Copa America is experiencing a racing shift for the first time in its 170-year history. There has already been a break in the competitors’ duels due to the coronavirus lockdown.
With its aggressive track, the Italian national team turned large parts of New Zealand against them in the Copa America during times of Corona. Nimbus was damaged by sailing as a “noble sport”, and the reputation of Italian patrons, the Prada fashion group and tire manufacturer Pirelli, was damaged two weeks ago.
While the New Zealanders wanted to postpone competitors’ boat races due to new coronavirus cases, among other things at a school in Auckland, the Italians pushed by sailing without spectators. They have threatened to want to announce the winner of the series otherwise. “Our request to postpone the boat races due to the preventive measures against Corona did not fall on deaf ears,” Tina Simans, president of the Italian Confederation of America’s Cup events, strongly criticized.
Anger and disappointment over New Zealand guests mounted in Auckland. Simmons said: “They are only interested in winning the Prada Cup with Luna Rossa, but not in the interest of our country, which has worked hard to host this event.” ACE is funded by New Zealand taxpayers, including the defender of the Trophy, Team New Zealand, and is in charge of hosting. It was already sailed, and the Italians won 7-1.
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