AUCKLAND, New Zealand -- High winds Wednesday forced a postponement of America's Cup racing, a day after all three American boats won in the start to yachting's premier event.

Winds averaging 25 to 33 knots forced the races on the Hauraki Gulf to be abandoned minutes before their scheduled start. Racing cannot begin with winds of less than 7 knots or more than 19.

Nine syndicates from six countries are competing to determine a challenger final in January. The winner of the four-month Louis Vuitton Cup will race Team New Zealand for the America's Cup starting Feb. 15.

The matches Wednesday have now been pushed to Thursday and will be: Alinghi, Switzerland vs. OneWorld, Seattle; Stars & Stripes, New York vs. Prada, Italy; Oracle, San Francisco vs. Mascalzone Latino, Italy; and Victory, Sweden vs. Le Defi, France. GBR's Wight Lightning, Britain, was scheduled to have a bye Wednesday.