America's Cup tuneup starts in Venice: " Skipper Jimmy Spithill's San Francisco-based Oracle Team USA crew tries to widen its slim lead in the America's Cup World Series when the competition begins Thursday in Venice, Italy. The Spithill crew holds the overall lead by one point over Dean Barker's Emirates Team New Zealand going into the fifth of six stops in the ACWS. The racing continues through Sunday. The overall season winner will be determined in Newport, R.I., next month. The 2012-13 season starts in San Francisco in August. "Venice is going to be very, very challenging," Spithill said at a skipper's news conference Tuesday. "I think the key is to be consistent. Now the level is such that everyone can win. We've seen that, and in Venice there will be a lot more opportunities for passing. It will never be over until you get across the finish line. For the spectators it will be fantastic, and for the sailors it will be a real test.". . .
Thursday's forecast is for sea breezes in the 7- to 11-knot range during the race period. Racing begins Thursday at 5:15 a.m. PDT. (8:15 a.m. EDT)
Live Webcam - America's Cup World Series Venice
