America's Cup

[Auzzee]

Race one.

Swiss yacht Alinghi defeated New Zealand by 35 seconds. Alinghi performed better downwind, NZ were able to peg the Swiss back tacking upwind. Good race, choppy conditions. Better luck in #2 Kiwis.

David

PS...But they did win in the Tri nations Rugby against the Springboks.

It's been a big night of sport....Time for bed.

[Trim50]

Just finished watching the action on DVR. Very obvious downwind advantage to Swiss...maybe the new hull design. One thing that I noticed was that the Swiss bow stayed out of the chop far better than the Kiwis throughout the race. If you recorded it, look see for yourself and tell me if you agree.

[Auzzee]

Yes. The commentators said Alinghi has a broader, more buoyant section forward of the mast. It was obvious the Swiss' bow was rising in the chop, whereas Emirates' was tossing H2O across the foredeck. The problem for the Kiwis may well be reinforced unless the chop reduces in subsequent duels.

It is hard to imagine what the Kiwis can do to overcome the problem. Their talent and attitude say 'win all the way'....but a better boat is a better boat and so it appears with Alinghi.

Still, considering the high profile and hype of every race I can remember back to the 60's, I can't believe the lack of coverage the race is getting in Oz.

David

[Trim50]

Originally Posted by Auzzee

Still, considering the high profile and hype of every race I can remember back to the 60's, I can't believe the lack of coverage the race is getting in Oz.

David

Same thing here in US! You must have full cable access to find Versus to record the action. I haven't seen a single news report on the race yet. However, I have complete up to the minute coverage on Paris Hilton...thank god!

[Auzzee]

Thank God for Rupert....We have full, live coverage on Fox3 of all the America's Cup races. But nothing on network TV. On the other 50+, I can choose between Bonanza, Magilla Gorilla and the Hilton shiela.

David

[Auzzee]

Yay the Kiwis!

Beat the Swiss by 28 seconds.

Great race!

There appeared to be a little less chop than yesterday and Emirates NZ actually increased their lead over Alinghi by 100 metres on the downwind leg.

Them's fast boats...

David.

[Trim50]

Ladies and Gents, we have a race!

What great racing and tactics by the Kiwis, they completely out class the Swiss when it comes to tactics. Barker really gave it to them on start and upwind.

I think the calmer seas and lighter wind also help, but the upwind tactics were perfection.

Great stuff!

[Auzzee]

Race three start has been delayed until waaayyyyy past my bedtime. Good luck Kiwis...Hope to see a good result in the morning.

おやすみなさい。

ダビド。

(David)

[Trim50]

I didn't read your latest post about the race because I was afraid you would give away the winner before I got to watch it.

So, I went home at lunch today to watch race #3 on DVR. I'm sitting there speeding past all the pre-race cr@ppo and finally get to the race. I'm about 20 minutes into the race and I start thinking to myself that this looks a lot like race #2...because it is damn it!

Argh, and double argh!

[Auzzee]

Despite dragging a bowman through the water when he nearly fell overboard, and clagging a spinnaker drop, the Kiwis managed to claw their way back to take race honours over the Swiss. It is rather looking as though the wheels are falling off Alinghi as the kiwis now lead 2:1 in the best of nine series. The Swiss are still sailing well, but the Kiwis are starting to smack their opponants around the ears as they sail less distance, with less gybing at a greater speed.

It is great racing!

David

[Trim50]

Ah man, I have no self control...I looked.

Can't wait to get home.

[albertinho]

olá!

this final is getting hot!!! i hope we can see and enjoy the 9 races, but sorry, i also hope alinghi beats kiwis at the end.

i understand it'll be better for america's cup, don't you think? too many european teams said their sponsors wouldn't go to new zealand. and swiss team will choose euro waters.

i also heard that kiwis would change some rules truely affecting this competition. i mean that one who limits nationality of crew to nationality of team. i think that would mean lots of unemployed kiwis!!!! i also think that a rule like this would only let a chance for team nz, usa and maybe some european teams such as italy, spain, france... but with no sponsor!

your thoughts?

capitäo albertinho

[Trim50]

Welcome aboard!

Great race without a doubt. As far as changing rules, I believe that AC racing has become a corporate playground and not what it started-out as which was club racing. So, I think nationality limits would help prevent the continued salary race for sailors.

I also think it is time for a boat rule change as I believe the engineers have just about squeezed the final fraction of a knot from the present AC rule. If they really wanted to make things interesting, they would make carbon fiber illegal. This would help the industry in many ways since carbon fiber doesn't make it's way into the general yachting community and contrary to most people’s belief, carbon fiber is only going to get more expensive…much, much more expensive.

Just my 2 cents.

[duckie]

Perhaps we could solve global warming by putting all the excess carbon into yachts as carbon fibre!

I agree with you about the cost. I glanced at the Team NZ web site. They proudly say that they will make over 200 sails for the America's cup, again with carbon fibre and mylar.

Is the Swiss team mainly people from an earlier NZ team?