America's Cup

EmergencyExit · Post by **EmergencyExit** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 8:35 am

Race 1 BMW/Oracle
http://www.americascup.com/en/regate/re ... la-course/

How'd ya like to make 28 knots in a 10 knot wind ??

J. Austin · Post by **J. Austin** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 9:23 am

I watched the whole thing on that site. Great site.
I am a proud American through and through, however, I
hope the Swiss kick that pompass bastard all the way back to San Francisco!

Sorry, I just miss monohull racing where they actually have sails!

Its a sailboat not a wingboat.

FranS · Post by **FranS** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 10:32 am

An unfortunate example of the win at any cost mentalility of these rich boys. They might be meeting the letter of the rules, but certainly not the spirit with these new designs.

Sundowner · Post by **Sundowner** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 10:33 am

It boggles the mind.

Alanhod · Post by **Alanhod** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 3:32 pm

lecker68 · Post by **lecker68** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 4:46 pm

Try this one over 60 knots with no motor.
http://www.noob.us/miscellaneous/fastes ... no-engine/

Banshi · Post by **Banshi** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 6:02 am

I think it showed actual speed up the course (meaning a direct line from start to the first mark) was twice the wind speed, I would rather them go back to the 12 meters monohulls myself but I don't have a problem with a wing on one

A shorter course with a wider wind range would make things real exciting.

I think only a mechanical failure can save the Swiss, that thing was a rocket ship.

The big race tomorrow will feature a lot of left turns, flying sheet metal and carbon spewing into the air

lecker68 · Post by **lecker68** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 6:55 am

I can agree Banshi it would be more interesting but any sailing is better than none.

EmergencyExit · Post by **EmergencyExit** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 9:49 am

We'll being taking that Cup back now, if you please ! What a performance by BMW/Oracle in Race 2.

Capt. Bondo · Post by **Capt. Bondo** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 6:45 pm

It's over already

It was so cool watching them sail, so smooth, so fast.
I think we should sue to make them race more

I agree the AC need to get back to a one design, when sailing skills win races not techonoligy.

Banshi · Post by **Banshi** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 4:43 am

I don't really have an issue with technology because that"s really what the race has always been about as much as sailing skill but I think the twelve meter rule kept everyone working towards improving the speed of mono hulls through design innovation like hull shape, keel shape sail materials and design instead of just building the biggest boat. The fewer rules the better as long as we keep some basic standard from which to work.

EmergencyExit · Post by **EmergencyExit** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 6:05 am

Banshi wrote: The fewer rules the better as long as we keep some basic standard from which to work.

That's pretty much my thought as well. And it may require some event changes if we continue down the free form trail.

One theory I read for Alinghi's upwind protest flag was that they wanted to protest the number of spectator boats the RC allowed in the start box area - that because of the size of the boats this time it was so much harder to manuver, and that had the course been clearer of others they would not have encurred the penalty. Could be a point to that, however since they trailed so much it was a moot point and they dropped it.

I'd like to see it be less of a mercenary event. Coutts was Alinghi skipper in 2003, was on the team that removed the Cup from the US years ago..now sails for the US Team. Too much a of hired gun scenerio to me.

I'd just like to see it more of a country based sport, although I realize that is unrealistic.

Banshi · Post by **Banshi** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 7:54 am

I agree, keep the crews sailing for their own country and keep as much of the hardware as is reasonable country based as well. Boat design, hull construction for sure.

J. Austin · Post by **J. Austin** » Mon Feb 15, 2010 8:41 am

I agree as well.

If there is a silver lining, it is that all the retardedness of the America's Cup over the last few years has brought more spectators to other races.
The Volvo, open 70's,open 60's and the transpac.
That can't be a bad thing.

Fyi: the TP52 class of the transpac are said to be the fastest monohulls on the planet. Do your homework and you decide. Watch or buy "Morning Light" if you can. And yes they are supposed to be faster than even the open 70's. Fun stuff!

CaptainScott · Post by **CaptainScott** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 6:36 am

One of my biggest concerns is the lack of accessible TV coverage.
I would love to have recorded the races for later viewing on my home tv.

Given it was a non media event and the fact that I could not see it on my TV left me totally dissinterested in trying to catch the races live.

In the past years I could record the races and watch them at a time that was convenient for me. Now? I did not see a single race.

On the other hand the hulls for Oracle were built and tested just up the road from me! We got to see them very early!

Scott

Banshi · Post by **Banshi** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 7:06 am

I watch them both online and you did not miss much, it was basically just a drag race

EmergencyExit · Post by **EmergencyExit** » Tue Feb 16, 2010 7:24 am

69Shark wrote: On the other hand the hulls for Oracle were built and tested just up the road from me! We got to see them very early!

Scott

The redhead was out in the San Diego area early last year, and called me all but screaming about seeing this freakin' huge boat with this massive dark sail flying across the water in little wind. I had no idea what she was taking about because I really hadn't been keeping up with the Cup lately at that point.

I just said that's nice dear, bring me one home if they are cheap...

J. Austin · Post by **J. Austin** » Wed Feb 17, 2010 9:47 am

A mildly interesting article about the speculation of the 34th AC

http://sailmagazine.com/cupdate/so%5Fwhats%5Fnext/