America's Cup opening race called off

VALENCIA, Spain (Reuters) - The opening race of the 33rd America's Cup between Swiss holders Alinghi and U.S. challengers BMW Oracle was called off Monday because of shifting wind conditions, race officials said.

The race between the hi-tech, multi-hull boats was rescheduled for Wednesday. Alinghi and BMW Oracle had a frustrating wait off Valencia of almost four hours after the scheduled starting time before heading back to port.

The unique boats had finally taken to the water after more than two years of sometimes bitter legal battles between Alinghi, owned by Swiss biotechnology and banking billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli, and Oracle software mogul Larry Ellison's team.

The legal battles over hosting rights and technology have resulted in two multi-hull boats sailing against each other in a 3-race final for the first time in the event's 159-year history.

Both boats are being raced for the first time and are capable of extraordinary speeds for sailing vessels but are believed to be fragile in heavier conditions. Monday, the problem was inconsistent wind rather than too much.

Alinghi is a catamaran with a tilting mast 17 storeys high. BMW Oracle, a trimaran, has a unique wing-shaped mast bigger than the wing of a commercial jetliner.

(Reporting by Iain Rogers; Editing by Paul Tait)