AUCKLAND, New Zealand -- For the third day in a row, fickle winds prevented the second phase of the America's Cup challenger quarterfinals from getting under way.

Organizers abandoned attempts to start racing after a light breeze on the gulf, which had been around five or six knots earlier, decreased to nearly nothing by mid-afternoon.

The almost flat, calm conditions Monday were in contrast to Sunday when strong winds and rough, choppy waters caused racing to be suspended.

Saturday, which was supposed to have been the first day of racing in the repechage section of the Louis Vuitton Cup, light winds also forced the races to be called off.

The best-of-seven races are due to be finished by next Sunday -- Team Dennis Conner of New York against OneWorld of Seattle, and Prada of Italy against Victory Challenge of Sweden.

Officials said they will try again Tuesday to sail the first race.

The forecast for Tuesday is again for relatively light and shifty wind -- northeasterly sea breezes giving way later in the afternoon to an offshore airstream.