Crew members of Swiss Defender Alinghi wait in vain for wind to sail before race seven of the 32nd America's Cup off the coast of Valencia, Spain, on Sunday. Race seven was cancelled due to lack of wind. - AP

VALENCIA Spain (AP):

Alinghi hopes to retain the America's Cup today - with a little help from the weather.

The Swiss lead their Kiwi challengers 4-2 in the best-of-nine series. Both teams spent yesterday's rest day watching race videos after the seventh and possibly final flight was postponed a day earlier due to a variable breeze.

Weather forecasts predicted a steadier breeze today - allowing the race to go ahead - and building to a strong gust through the afternoon.

Just what the Swiss team asked for.

Alinghi didn't want a repeat of the third race when it made up a deficit in shifting conditions only to lose at the finish to Emirates Team New Zealand in a classic.

With Alinghi's SUI-100 yacht designed for Valencia's strong sea breeze, an extra day's wait could be the extra advantage the Swiss need to become only the third nation to retain the Auld Mug in its 156-year history, along with New Zealand and the United States.

The Kiwis face three must-win races against the defending champions.

Dangerous team

"While there is a chance, we are a still a dangerous team," Kiwi skipper Dean Barker said. "I believe we are a good enough team to get ourselves back into it."

And Alinghi isn't getting over-confident.

"We're quite happy with the performance of SUI-100, but we weren't brash to believe that boat speed would win this event," Alinghi design coordinator Grant Simmer said. "Obviously you always hope for a strong speed advantage."

However,the NZL-92 yacht has kept pace with its counterpart through the series, even looking stronger on the upwind legs of racing.

If not for a fifth-flight meltdown - where the Kiwis lost two kites and the lead - the closest series in 24 years could now be level.

"We were always concerned that Emirates Team New Zealand would come through the Louis Vuitton Cup ... ready for a tough contest," Simmer said. "(Our) differences are now negated and the toughest races throughout this regatta have taken place over this week."

The America's Cup was named after its first winner, the U.S. yacht America, in 1851. In its 156-year history, only three regattas have been as closely contested as this one.