SAN DIEGO – Two weeks of pounding by the Pacific Ocean have required boat sheds to work round the clock in preparation for the America’s Cup semifinals that start on Saturday.

PACT 95’s Young America, leader in the defender standings after the fourth round-robin, is expected to be launched just six hours before its opening race against the America women’s crew aboar Mighty Mary.

Young America has been in the shed since Sunday, when the bottom of its hull was seriously damaged by a strong wave while it was being towed out for a training sail.

“The lack of a whole week of practice right before the semis is significant,” PACT 95 president John Marshall said on Friday.

Unlike the other two defense syndicates, PACT 95 doesn’t have a backup boat. However, key members of the crew have gone out on two Etchells 22 boats to work on match-racing techniques.

“Everybody’s certainly fired up and ready to go sailing,” Marshall said.