America's Cup - live blog

[properchopper]

These boats (hydrofoil equipped) are amazing and beautiful - check it out

http://www.americascup.com/en/news/3/news/18024/day-2-preview-oracle-team-usa-looks-to-get-kiwis-off-track

[ron1950]

when did they go from 50m big sailboats to the million dollar carbon hydrofoil things? you are right though tony they are amazing

[Shovelnoserc]

Watched the two races yesterday and the first one today. The USA cat needs to do something the NZ cat is much faster on the top end and their tacking is much better.

I noticed that the NZ cat crew is quicker to get to their grinders as they are in the open on a port starboard config. The US ones are down I a pod and facing fore and aft.

[Fluid]

when did they go from 50m big sailboats to the million dollar carbon hydrofoil things?

Fifty-meter big sailboats? The J-class boats (<88 feet long) were ruled out in 1957! Until 1987 the 12-meter boats were standard, at around 70 feet long they are the same length as the AG-72 cats. They cost millions to build and operate too...

When the GGYC won the Cup in 2010 they got to set the rules for the next Cup competition. With an eye to improving the appeal of the Cup races for television, the GGYC stipulated a cat with fixed carbon fiber "wingsails" and hydrofoils - the AC72. While this goes against traditional boat designs (which really were passe after 1987 when Dennis Connor showed that technology improvements were necessary to keep the Cup alive) it has improved television ratings worldwide. 52 mph sailboats 72 feet long and 140+ feet high, wow.

When the high-tech boats are combined with high-tech television graphics and informed commentary, the average viewer doesn't need to be an expert at sailing to enjoy the racing, he/she can have the race explained in real time and actually understand what is going on without being bored to death - the failing of the "old" Cup technology in a fast-paced modern world. Think what you will about the new rule and TV coverage, but I like it better than Honey Booboo, Duck Dynasty, American Idol and other such rubbish which was designed for maximum ratings regardless of entertainment values.....






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[Wetter]

Flyn' kites on the water.
Bliss!

[Peter A]

Go Kiwi!

[PatrickM]

Congrats to Oracle Team USA on their first win! They finally got their act together and outpaced the Kiwis from the start, no mistakes except for the extra tack on one the marks. Great to see them do well even if they aren't US citizens (most of them).
Keep it up guys!

[Doby]

My SV-27 is faster..

[ron1950]

ahhh 50 m or 12m same thing only different lol

[PatrickM]

My SV-27 is faster..

Yeah, but it doesn't weigh 13,000 pounds....... LOL

[Fluid]

My SV-27 is faster..

Not in 20 kt winds for thirty minutes it isn't!


But then it doesn't cost $10 million either.....


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[properchopper]

As an FYI :

Races 5 and 6 are scheduled for Tuesday, beginning at 1:15 p.m. Because Oracle Team USA was docked two races (or points) over a cheating scandal involving 45-foot catamarans used in the America's Cup World Series last year, the official score is 3-0. Oracle still remains in the hole by one race (or point). The first team to win nine points wins the America's Cup. For Oracle, that means winning 11 races.

[islandboy]

Score is actually NZ 3, USA -1 (minus 1) after todays racing

[properchopper]

Score is actually NZ 3, USA -1 (minus 1) after todays racing

OOPS ! I just cut/pasted the post from the newspaper.

http://www.mercurynews.com/sports/ci_24045346/americas-cup-new-zealand-wins-race-3

[Peter A]

Oh well no downtrou for Oracle!