High Winds Force Cancellation of America's Cup Time Trials

Time trials for the America's Cup sailing races in San Francisco have been canceled this morning due to strong winds of more than 20 knots, event officials said.

Race officer John Craig stated that the 72-foot boats will also be kept out of a fleet parade scheduled for 11 a.m. today to "keep everyone in good shape for the first day of racing."

The Louis Vuitton Cup, which is the competition between challengers who are vying for the America's Cup, is scheduled to begin Sunday at 12:15 p.m. with a race between Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa Challenge.

But the skipper of the Italy’s Luna Rossa Classic said Friday that his team may sit out Sunday’s race in protest of  new rules regarding rudder elevators.

The safety rule changes were announced following the May 9 death  of Sweden-based team Artemis Racing crew member Andrew Simpson.

The winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup will compete against Oracle Team USA in the America's Cup Finals in September.

Today's 11 a.m. boat parade will proceed as scheduled from Pier 14, go past the America's Cup Park at Piers 27-29 and end near Marina Green.

Although the 72-foot vessels will not take part in the parade, a group of sailors will appear on the main stage at the America's Cup Pavilion at noon.

Another day, another #americascup drama: Luna Rossa says it may sit out first Louis Vuitton race http://t.co/RC0b0fKVJ6

— SF City Insider (@SFCityInsider) July 5, 2013

What happens to America's Cup if there's no water? Dumb questions, serious answers about the races. http://t.co/DT6TRfGdDS

— San Francisco (@sanfranmag) July 5, 2013