America's Cup

[duckie]

Race 5 to the Swiss, who now lead 3-2.

Didn't see the race (don't have cable TV) but looked it up on the net.

14 knot winds.

NZ won the start, but then had a spinnaker disaster on the first downwind leg.

Spinnaker developed a small tear, and then, as they were about to hoist a replacement, it burst.

2nd spinnaker was hoisted before being properly secured (communication breakdown?), so it just flew like a flag from the masthead.

They had to catch it to get the halyard, then hoisted a 3rd spinnaker.

During all this, Ahlingi overtook them.

Incredibly, despite all this disaster, the Kiwis were not that far behind, and started to catch up.

They launched a 4th spinnaker (symetrical this time) on the 2nd downwind leg.

Sounds very close racing.

Points for me:

* Even the best sailors can make mistakes - I shouldn't feel too bad when I do.

* These boats must carry an amazing number of sails? When the skipper was asked how many he had, he only said "Obviously just enough."

Rob

[Trim50]

Originally Posted by duckie

* Even the best sailors can make mistakes - I shouldn't feel too bad when I do.

Best America's Cup racing ever IMHO!!!

Kiwis can absolutely win this one. Even with the worst spinnaker mishap I've ever witnessed, they almost came back.

They have the speed and talent to beat Alinghi.

[Auzzee]

This is all great racing! When the Kiwis clagged the hoist of their replacement spinaker, I was shouting at the TV like some demented football fan. The series is alive and I agree with Trim, from the point of view of sailing and the spirit in which the teams are competing this is the greatest America's Cup ever...

(But there will never be anything like the time the Aussies booted the Seppos in 1983)

Anyone writing the script now, would have the Kiwis winning the next two races on the trot!

Sensational...

David.

[Trim50]

Originally Posted by Auzzee

the time the Aussies booted the Seppos in 1983)

The best thing that ever happened to AC racing!

[Auzzee]

Another top race with Alinghi crossing the finish line 28 seconds before Emirates. Two thirds of the way along the second upwind leg, the Kiwis led. The Swiss simply out manoevered the Kiwis and sailed over the top of them to lead by 16 seconds at the mark leading into the final leg.

Alinghi now is on match point. If they win the next race they retain the Cup. If the Kiwis can take race seven, the series will be given new life.

Not a good day on the international sporting front for the Kiwis. The Wallabies defeated the All Blacks in the Rugby 20-15, after being down 15-6 at half time.

David.

[Auzzee]

Well, it's all over. The 32nd America's Cup will go down, in my opinion as the very best ever! A drama filled race which saw the Kiwis suffer a penalty turn which they executed within 100metres of the finish line. Alinghi won the final race, in boisterous conditions, by just two seconds.

Unbelievably good sailing and as much as I hate to say it, it was a better series than the 1983 regatta which saw the Aussies take the Cup from the USA. If you did not see the final race, do whatever you can to get to see it. WOW!!

Congratulations to Alinghi...Commiserations to the Kiwis.

Sensational!

[Trim50]

I'm gonna view it tonight on DVR. I feel badly for the Kiwis as they certainly gave it their all and I felt they were the better tactical team. Nonetheless, Alinghi demonstrated excellent overall tactics as well. In the end, everyone knows that the land(s) down under are out producing the rest of the world when it comes to sailing talent.

Cheers to ya Kiwis!

[Trim50]

Wow Wow and Wow! Best America's Cup race ever! You couldn't write a better story.