I don’t buy into the theory that Alinghi are going to go out and blow Team New Zealand out of the water. That has been conveniently placed by Alinghi – and by the European media – because they want the cup to stay in Europe. It is not what I have observed.
The New Zealanders will be competitive. How competitive? We’ll just have to wait and see.
There has been a lot of discussion about whether Team New Zealand have saved some gear for the final.
I am not sure. You may see some new little things, like the winch pods we saw in the Louis Vuitton final, but they will be looking to refine things. And if they do bring some new stuff, it will be very subtle.
It looks to me that the big bits were probably locked in place before the team left Auckland.
Probably the biggest area for both teams will be sails. New sails are faster than old ones, so expect to see plenty of new ones in the match.
Team New Zealand could remode the boat – change the keel, rudder, winglets, fin and so on. They have a couple of different bulb shapes. So far they have stuck with the slightly shorter one with the New Zealand flag on it. They have switched the bulbs on the boats over the past few days.
Shorter, fatter ones tend to be better in lighter air. They do have a longer bulb, which has a lower centre of gravity. The downside to them is they have a tendency to pitch a bit more.
Predicting what the weather is going to do will be crucial. Team New Zealand’s weather man, Roger “clouds” Badham, is sure to go even greyer.
Working out where to pitch yourself against the opposition involves at lot of analysing your opponent across the water. Team New Zealand would have watched Alinghi race Luna Rossa. The Italians took a couple of races off Alinghi.
Some races were close, others weren’t. In one race Alinghi cleaned them out but in another Luna Rossa cleaned out Alinghi.
What can be taken from that? It is hard to tell. You have to look at what sails they were using, the crew sailing – all the factors. However, it did appear Alinghi were keen to work on prestarts.
Team New Zealand will have some ideas of where they want to be in relation to the Swiss boat. That might be a bit different from where they wanted to be in relation to Luna Rossa.
It is one thing to optimise your boat to what you want yourself, and another to optimise it in relation to your opposition. It comes down to trade-offs. The Kiwis look quick downwind, so they might trade off some of that.
They are not going to make any big breakthroughs now. They are what they are.
Hey Peter
Hope ur right about NZL-92 being a match for Alinghi (whichever boat they end up using).
I think if we have an even boat we will win out in this thing cos our team just seems to be “clicking” so well recently.
Is “clicking” a technical term?
Anywho, you know wot I mean.
I personally believe that Alinghi have had their starting crew set in stone for MONTHS because it would be stupid not to do so. Having that sort of competition within your team would be REALLY disruptive and I don’t believe anyone would be that crazy.
Hi Peter,
You mention Team NZ have switched bulbs over the last few days.
Does that mean NZL 92 finally has Buzzy Bee on board?
If so …great! That’s got to work!
Chris Wornall CHC
Peter,
A couple of questions:
1: SUI100 Measurement Certificate
I’ve searched the Americas Cup web site but can’t find a Measurement Certificate for SUI100: has it been issued with one ever, or do we have to wait to see which boat Alinghi selects before a Certificate is sighted?
1.1: If SUI100 is not compliant, can Alinghi continue to use it as a test boat?
1.2: I believe Alinghi will front with SUI91.
2: Public Interpretations 40 & 41
2.1: I notice that these PIs appeared on 13th. June: could the initiator for these be either Alinghi or ETNZ, or can any of the eliminated challengers continue to ask for these PI’s?
2.2: Do either of these PIs have any relevance to the way ETNZ are sailiing their boat, as in the way they’re gybing?
There is so much hype over Alinghi’s perceived performance pumped out by the European media, especially since the Nationality Qualification issue came up.
Look forward to your response….
For many years, Valencia Spain has been struggling to be recognized as the third most important city after Madrid, its capital and Barcelona. It has long been notorious for its Valencia Fallas Festival but now, after having been chosen for the Americas Cup host city and having opened its latest buil…
Hi Pete,
I am heading over to Valencia on Wed with some mates and looking forward to it! Booked from NZ months ago before we new who would be the challenger sogood call our after guard.
Enjoyed the coverage on TV here and commentary team. Can you tell me if the local Screens there in the AC village have an english commentator or should we brush up on spanish.
Cheers
Muzza
Hı Muzza
You wıll be able to get an Englısh commentary on the screens ın the AC vıllage. The maın screen ıs by the Foredeck Club, I understand that they alternate between Englısh and Spanısh. There ıs another screen behınd the Chına team base whıch ıs always ın Englısh. Martın Tasker and I are commentatıng for ACTV so ıt’s our commenatarty that you wıll hear ın the AC vıllage.
Peter
Hi SHS,
They won’t have a cert. granted until the 22nd (the day before racing starts), and they only need to have the racing boat certified. The requests for interpretation come would have come from a competing team or teams. Stay tuned, I’m sure more info will come shortly.
Peter
Hey Peter, aren’t the public interpretations we seeing now actually released 6 months after first issued? In which case, these are all “old hat” at least to the syndicate that requested them.
Hi Jays – all up to date mate, the last one was 13th June. You can see them all here;
http://acregatta.americascup.com/en/measurement_commitee/index.php?idIndex=313&idPage=1
Cheers Pete, nice to see you back from your break!!!
Dunno about you, but I’m as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs!
Hehehe, always wanted to use one of those crazy analogies you hear in the American movies
But seriously, the anticipation is just killing me. Hope TNZ can pull this off.
can’t stop drinking coffee, eyes twiching, sleep stoping, wife angry, cup fever setting in.
G’day Jays, Daniel and Vale. Very interesting post by Richard Gladwell entitled, “Why ETNZ will win the America’s Cup 5-0″. He makes a few solid points to back up his assertion. Check it out at http://www.sail-world.com/news_special_new.cfm?Nid=34677&SEid=362&SRCID=8&RequestTimeOut=180
Regards, David G
Its good to see a scribe stating what some of us have said all along, which is that whilst NZL-82 was unreliable it wasn’t actually that slow. And given the weaknesses in the after guard at that time, it might actually have been Alinghi’s equal in terms of pure boat speed.
With regards to Alinghi’s rotation policy, I don’t believe they have one.
I believe that they have ALWAYS had their “A-Team” in place, but are just trying to keep the defender guessing. This being the case, then they won’t have such a weakness in this area.
Where they WILL have a weakness is that they haven’t had the hard races against such a diverse mixture of opposition.
Not wanting to get ahead of oneself.. but I can’t help myself. If we do ignore the talk about Alinghi and if ETNZ did win the ‘auld mug’ – where would it be defended and when.. in 2yrs time?
Both Alinghi and ETNZ have mentioned Dubai. I wonder if the latter do this now only to satisfy their main sponsor? Or will NZ never see a defense again?
Anyway, food for thought if the rub of the blue goes ETNZ’s way.
D.
Damien, I believe that it has been confirmed that if ETNZ win that it will be defended in NZ, so most likely auckland, I think that when the government gave the 30something million dollars that one of the conditions would be that it would sailed in NZ if succesful. I can remember reading that somwhere, if I’m wrong I am sure I will be corrected.
Even tho ETNZ is contracted to hold the cup in NZ (presumably Auck), they could very well have the Americas Cup “Acts” as Alinghi has this time.
They could very well hold these in Dubai as a way of ensuring a MASSIVE cash infusion from their sponsors.
Good link David G , made me feel a whole lot better, fever reduced a bit, down to one twiching eye, caffine intake down, and domestic relationships improving.
This fella Richard Gladwell is pretty on to it from what I can gather, so it will be great if he’s got it right, the next part of the article will be interesting.
What Coutts was saying about masts in that sea horse article is encouraging, cause I think the Kiwis are up to something clever there, and I rekon the’ve got some very nice looking sails as well. Alighi have a good set up too, but if we can match or better them in this area, maybe, just maybe,…..we can blow these theiving, cheating, mongrel…….oops………I mean have a jolly good series of absoluteley spiffing racing and after alls finished pop in for a spot of tea and a puff on the pipe.
That was a good link, David G. The summary box at the end says it all.
My guess is that SUI 100 is right out at the outer-edge of tech and is thus fragile. Where have we seen that before?
But, as the commentator of your link article asserts, the big thing Ernie hasn’t got is Coutts or the fire in the belly of ETNZ.
Yup. I agree. SUI 91 V ETNZ. 5-zip to us.
Hehehe, Ernie. So does that make Butterworth “Bert”?
Will be REALLY interesting if Alinghi DO turn up with SUI-91 on the day.
This will mean either:
* All this talk about SUI-100 being a rocketship is bollocks, or
* The have two rocket shops on their hands.
I agree with you David, Alinghi have been blowing a LOT of gear relatively speaking.
I think they have been pushing the envelope too hard. Only problem is that these breakages have given them an opportunity to fix the problems.
Wouldn’t it be great if one or both of their boats suddenly took “SNORKELLING LESSONS” just like One Asutralia did back in 1995?
Hi Guys! Thank you, David G., for the article… According to me it’s quite normal that European media affirm Alinghi will win the cup, not just for money reasons, but also for “european pride”. Also Luna Rossa wishes Swiss boat win, ’cause in this case it will be easier to take part in the AC again..
My dear Kiwis, don’t care about the “poison” by european media!!! you have to be confident!!! I am confident, ’cause I trust in ETNZ… They are so professional and able to keep calm, and working hard They will get all the best!
So.. the AC will go back to NZ…I wish it with all my heart!
Hi guys!
Yesterday I went to Switzerland by motorbike for a 1 day tour in the Alps!
No signs of nervousness, tension or panic there.
Two possible reasons: people are absolutely confident in Alinghi’s boat speed and crew… or nobody cares about the Cup..
The second much more likely…
Hey Vale, thanks for you confidence and support. You’re a champ!
Hey Giulio, you lucky bugger! The only way I can go on a motorbike tour to another country is if I get up enough speed (about 2000 miles per hour) to jump all the way to Australia!!!
Hehehe, go ETNZ!
Hi Giulio! Are you a Motorbike supporter too???? What about a relaxing walk???
I think that Swiss people don’t follow very much AC…the only reason to win are money!!!
If Alinghi was going to use SUI-100 you’d expect to see their racing team – Brad and Ed – on it a lot in the weeks leading up to the race, but that hasn’t seemed to have been the case. Of course having a earlier boat being faster/ more race worthy than a latter boat isn’t that unusual in itself – NZL-32 comes to mind.
What surprises me most is Alinghi’s constant refusal to stop playing the shell game. Early on, sure, but by this stage it’s got to be hurting them more than it’s hurting us. You need to spend quite some time with your race setup to be able to get the most out of it (from the LVC finals you could see that ETNZ were sailing the pants off NZL-92).
So what’s going on at Alinghi? Some serious problem? Victor’s disease? No one to act as a counterbalance against Brad’s personality?
Hi Jays…you don’t have to reach Australia to go by motorbike!!! You have a wonderful land to hang around!!!!
Probably Giulio went to Switzerland to buy chocolate….
Brad has a personality?
Yeah, unfortunately. )
I fail at smilies.
fevers coming back.
I envy you! Here the fever has gone…
I know what’s the feeling now. You are counting the seconds to the prestart, the first cross…
Could you kiwis please temporarily adopt me?
Well we did adopt Prada in 1999/00 (until the America’s Cup of course), so i think we could adopt someone from Italy again.
Giulio…there is a line to do if you want to be adopted by kiwis…….
I want to become a kiwi too!!!!!!
I always remember with pleasure the 1999/00 cup, even if you defeated us.
I will never forget the LVC final against Paul Cayard!!!
Yes Vale, but you are waiting for the permanent adoption, aren’t you?
I will never forget those races which went down the the wire with protest flags fyling, I did get out on the water to watch a Prada, America One race, unfortunately it was the one which Prada lost its mast.
Yes Giulio………………….I want to become a kiwi….for ever !!!!!
To strengthen the twinning between NZ and Italy .. look at their maps… you can see the same “boot” shape…
Giulio, you are absolutely right!!! They are similar!!! I think you are falling in love with NZ too, isn’t it? I am still working…..and I am listening to Radio New Zealand National…
Guilio and Vale – are you guys going to hook up. Have you started on line dating yet?
your heard it first here… hehe
G’day Guys and Vale. Reading these last posts, I think we are all sick with the fevers!!!!! Hurry up Sunday morning all we’ll all start talking about the weather again damn it!Hehehe. Cheers David G
Don’t worry Damian, Vale is already in love with New Zealand, and my only love on the web is Luna Rossa (or my girlfriend will kill me!
)
Tom, I don’t remember that. We lost the mast in a race agaist America One?
It was in the semis!!!
http://www.coppaamericaonline.it/images/lunarossadis.jpg
yeah it was in the semis, it was the race that we had all been waiting for and by memory it lasted about 2 minutes. It was quite early on in the semis too by memory.
By memory the only gear failures in the final were seeing those big green spinnakers exploding…
I’m with you David G!
I’m pretty sure my wife would like me to have an affair just so we have something else to talk about. Actually, she is pretty sure I am already having an affair….with NZL-92!
Giulio and Vale,
I’m an “adopted” Kiwi. I tell you a few hints to become a Kiwi: learn to sail (rudimentarily is enough you just have to show some commitment to the sea), be prepared to take vast amounts of beer at parties on weekends, practice the phrase “how is it going mate” that actually sound like “howisitgoin’mate” all one word. Learn basic rules of rugby (for the winter) and cricket (for the summer). Learn to cook steaks in a gas BBQ. Smile a lot.
Supporting Team New Zealand is a given… of course.
Have a great day!
PS: I’m very anxious and I’ve been reading the blog almost religiously but I don’t really know what more to add. We all know that until the races start there is a 50 50 chance for ETNZ to win. If we add our support and the support of kiwis in ValeNZia the outcome has to be the Cup back to Auckland.
For those who are not sure what to watch the rugby (for the adopted kiwis NZ is playing south africa in south africa who are our biggest rivals), or the sailing there was a good suggestion on teh radio. Watch the rugby and everytime there is a scrum go back to the sailing and watch for for the 5 minutes and then flick back to the rugby in which time they may have restarted play again.
Yeah Andy, I am speechless (almost – hehehe) too!
Its just an eternity between now and the end of the week.
Btw, the magazine article you posted was simply fantastic, good going!
Just for ya info Andy – steaks go ON the barby mate, not IN. Mind you, with the beer you bring, ( and smile ), you are always welcome over
And on a cup note, I’m DYING over here waiting. Any Aucklanders keen to get together for a shing ding on the 4-0 up night and watch it live somewhere…house, pub, club etc?
Actually, I’m keen as for the first to night, second night…. buggar work and customers…. lol
Peter: You are killing me, a word of wisdom, a hint of insight, a dig at adingy, anything mate… I am only getting by on the thought that you will post soon. My wife says you better bl00dy hurry up too
Blair,
My bbq is a fancy one with a lid. So I chuck the steaks in… just joking really.
I’ve apologized about my grammar mistakes in this blog already. And believe me when I say that I have huge respect for the English language. I used to be pretty good with Spanish… not anymore, I’m awful at both languages now. But I’ll keep trying to improve. Cheers for the correction.
Tom,
I’ve missed very few AB games over these last 6 years… but I think that sailing will come first this Sun early morning.
Andy mate!: I was ‘taking the pisss”…. re in barby. Honestly, my lid barby is your barby…as long as you speak ETNZ lol
Good on ya mate, loving your posts. Keep em coming…. enjoying EVERY post on here.
G’day guys. haven’t been this excited since 2003. Doh!!!! On what the hell. Cheers, David G.
Me too David G!
Just hope the result is a reversal from 2003 this time!
Stuff the Rugby World Cup, lets just get the AC home first!!!!
When we lost the AC in 2003, my wife was VERY grateful that she was out of the country at the time. Was sooo damned grumpy for weeks >:-(
How is it going mates?
) nor is the vast amount of beer at parties…
Sailing is not a problem… if you don’t mind I sail on a lake… (but there is more wind here then in Valencia this year…
I like rugby (but I prefer football)
Sorry for the cricket… it’s not for me.
I love (carbon or gas) barbecue a lot
Is it ok?
Peter
We don’t get much (any) info on the AC here in West Aussie, so I surfing the net for news and found your name. You stayed with me in Port Morsby, PNG, in 1976 when competing for the South Pacific Laser Champs.
Would love to make contact with you.
Bill
Andy, howsitgoinmate , don’t wory about your english to much , its the only language I know and me can’t speaks it to well sum tymes , neeva can half of the koi wois I know eeva.
Good day mates!!!! No Damian, Giulio is very amusing, but I don’t like italian guys very much….I love only kiwis!!!! Andy…probably I am going to become a kiwi…I would like to try….I have the possibility to spend one month or more in Auckland …so….everything is possible!!!!
Talking about sport…I like rugby too!!! I am an All Blacks’ fan, and I want to learn the Haka!!!!!!
I’m assuming you lot have all heard that Mr Bertarelli him self has gone and pulled the plug on our haka performance before the start of the cup, http://www.nzherald.co.nz/blog/story.cfm?c_id=1501183&objectid=10446634
I think it’s just a cheap move to try and up set our camp. Whats your lots take on it
Andy…thank you very much for your information!!! I like BBQ, I like sailing, rugby, whale watch..about cricket I have to learn…and I smile a lot!!!!So….do you think that I could be a good kiwi????
Hopefully it is a sign of a man in panic. Please remind me of what happened last time NZ was barred from doing the haka(hint it was vs Wales in rugby last year).
are you talking about Ernesto?????
probably he is quite scared…..
guys….at the starting race, let’s put our tongues outside…like real Maori warriors… It will be a sign to terrify Alinghi!!!
Maybe when we win the cup we could include a rule “all yachts from nations which are bordered by all of the following: Germany, Austria, Italy, France and the Principality of Lichtenstein must be accompanied to all races with a fleet of Waka”
Giulio and Vale.
That’s the greatness of this country. Pretty much everybody is welcome to join as long as you are civilised and you are prepared to put up with the Immigration Services for a few months.
Anyway. Back to AC issues:
I just read the link from Sam comments. So the Haka is banned. And what about Butterworth flying the Maori (not all Maori I should say) flag in sing of respect for kiwi cultural backgrounds? Would that still be allowed?
“But Cup organisers told general manager Gary Nicholas the stage overlooking the America’s Cup dock was not strong enough to support a haka group.” Nonsense… To be honest I don’t particularly care. I hope this does not re-ignite the “Haka yes or no” in sport debate here in NZ, it is boring.
But the Cup organizers are just helping the Kiwis with this one. That’s how I see it. And we’ll get to see more “Kia Kaha” (Stand Strong) banners.
Go ETNZ with or without Haka or waka.
Forget about the TP52 class… bring on the MedCup with the Waka class! I’d love to see the King of Spain and Russell Coutts paddling like maniacs.
I wonder if Russell would miss a mark again…
Ernie and Bert are frightened!!!!
I’ve really enjoyed the coverage on Sky so far….watching from Ireland, as a nation that will never enter the AC, we’re all behind NZ! They showed a great 1hour rerun of the LV final the other night, and some footage of the AC match from 2003, I remember it all too well – still hurts when I see it! I remember Deano’s statement after the loss saying “we’re going to go and get it back” …Now here they are, an incredible turnaround! Peter, you and Martin are doing a fantastic job, can’t wait for Saturday, I’ll be glued to the couch
I haven’t listened to a word that we’ve been fed from Alinghi… except maybe the compliments paid to ETNZ
Cheers,
Gary
Are we talking about the haka, or a waka? Or both? When I checked out the link provided by Sam, it mentioned waka.
Regardless of whether or not the haka is banned, perhaps the team should perform it in the dial up (if there is one) for the first race! Imagine that, two boats, side by side, with ETNZ (or at least the kiwi members) performing it!
ETNZ have just released a statement saying that it was them (in conjunction with Toi Maori & Tourism NZ) that decided not to proceed with the waka.
They said that after the restrictions placed on the waka at the beginning of the RR series, they thought that negotiations about the waka would prove to be a distraction to their preparations.
As much as I love to loathe Ernie, looks like we can’t really diss him too hard about this particular issue.
Altho, the conspiracy theorists amongst us might suggest that this is just ETNZ trying to avoid having the natives (insert here Kiwis) get any more restless than they already are.
Where do you think Russell Coutts will go for the next campaign?
There is a rumor going around that even LR could be interested in him, but
I think Oracle is more likely to be his next destination.
Is Russell without Brad and the others, the same invincible skipper?
Maybe you don’t love him anymore… but watching this AC without him racing is very strange and bad for sport!
Ah good ol media getting it all wrong – lets wait for the up roar.
And now theres a headline out there that “Team New Zealand ‘bans’ waka”.
That damned TNZ, they just hate all things New Zealand! Hahaha, the media is wonderful isn’t it?
And didn’t you hear? I framed Roger Rabbit!
Hey guys. Don’t you just love the AC?
Apparently, the latest rumour around the dock is that the Luna Rossa boys reckon ETNZ is at least 15 seconds slower upwind than Alinghi.
Now forgive me for being skeptical, but how the hell would they have figured that – they never got close enough to ETNZ in the LVC to get a gauge on her true speed potential. I guess we’ll find out if our Italian friends know what they’re talking about soon enough. Cheers, David G.
Guys. Check out this post http://www.sail-world.com/news_special_new.cfm?Nid=34731&SEid=362&SRCID=8&RequestTimeOut=180
Nice article David G. It reminds me of the SkyTV ad on the radio these days: There’s a guy #1 telling statistics between the ABs and the Bocks and at the end some one else asks him “who is going to win this weekend, eh?” and guy #1 goes “ahhh ehhhh ohhh” Basically he can not say who is going to win.
Hey guys
Love your discussions and informative opinions. I am an Afghan-Kiwi and, like you guys, can’t wait for the AC to start and for TNZ to bring home what rightfully belongs to New Zealand.
And here is something for you hungry news-eaters:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4101907a21895.html
Just to add some more distractions to make a bit more bearable the wait until this Sun 1 am:
I wonder if some one was thinking about the fate of our two beloved boats NZL 81 and NZL 82.
Well, I got the answer for you millions of people wondering about that:
http://www.cabo-adventures.com/sailing-tours/index.htm
But to be honest I don’t really know if I would feel safe on board these boats.
Hey Andy. Your right. Just proves it’s all idle speculation really.
But he does seem to support the Luna Rossa boys’ theory that the V5 Alinghi boats are quicker than ETNZ’s NZL92. On the other hand, does the fastest boat always win? I don’t think so. We shall see – in three days (and a bit). Hehehe.
I’m going to be in the shittiest, foulest, inconsolable mood for weeks if we get blown out of the water again!!!!!Would probably end up in the divorce courts this time around! Ha, ha. Cheers, David G.
Hi mates.
I didn’t hear any rumor about what LR boys could have said regarding ETNZ speed compared to Alinghi, in our forum nor on the Italian media.
I read about it on http://www.rule69blog.com and sailinganarchy but it seems to me pure speculation.
It’s so hard to have a meaningful boat speed test even when the boats are very close and with constant wind…
Alinghi will be very very fast, it’s true, we’ve already see them in the acts…
But be confident! The fact ETNZ is slower is still to be demonstrated.
And if they will have similar boat speed as we hope…
Cheers
Giulio
I have not agreed with the media regarding how much faster the TNZ boat was against Luna Rossa.
Mainly because I am pretty certain that Luna Rossa made a few (may be three) tactical mistakes and if they got those right may be the outcome would have been different. I’m not saying that Luna Rossa was going to win but a 5-2 or 5-3 score for ETNZ would have been reasonable.
So if we get close racing I’ll be quite happy because I know the ETNZ is the best TEAM. Regarding boat speed we definitely have to wait and see on the day.
Is tomorrow Sunday???????????
Hi all
Weather looks like it will be lite breeze on Sat/Sun (Valencia time), 7-11 knots, easterly winds and 27-29 degrees C.
I have heard that Adinghy is way in fromt in breeze of 15+ knots but it comes down under 15 knots. ETNZ are real concerned with upwind speed and are trying larger fins on the bulb and sail tweaking to eek out more speed.
My gut feel is if we do not win starts we are screwed.
Anyone with any further info?
Peter
Andy, maybe you are right but I think a better boat speed (and upwind angle) can often make you look a smarter sailor. One can be induced in tactical errors if he feels that he’s slower, that he can’t cover efficiently when he’s ahead. I think that ETNZ had a good edge over LR in that wind.
Giulio, you got a very good point.
In general now, have you read much about Public Interpretations from the Measurement Committee #41 and #42? I read them and I understand about the rule that Mazcalzone Latino broke during the LVC but apparently those questions are coming from Alinghi.
I really hope Peter or Paul enlighten us here. Why is Alinghi so worried about easing or not easing the back stay during the race when the rule seems pretty clear. You just DON’T do it.
Looking forward to the answer to this one.
Cheers
A
G’day. guys. Thanks for the post and link, Shaukat.
With all this talk and speculation about design breakthroughs and relative boat speed I’m wondering what you’d all think of a strict one-design rule for the AC, going forward?
At least we’d know the boast were equal. Your thoughts? Regards, David G.
Interesting reading at
http://www.sail-world.com/nz/index.cfm?nid=34726&rid=6
If you read my previous comment you’ll know I’m a conservative guy… I think I prefer the surprise and the anxiety generated by the current Cup format regarding the rules of building AC boats. Another good example is the Volvo Ocean Race. They have a class but there are some freedoms for designers which in this last edition proved to be the main factor in Sanderson winning the race.
guilio, I read that article. I still dont get it.
Yep Andy, I’m with you regarding the boat rules.
Hey David G, sounds like both your wife and mine are in for a horrible time if we dont bring home this damned cup!!!
With regards to speed speculation from LR, it could be true but how would they know?
I am sure both Alinghi and ETNZ will have since bolted on some new appendages, fluffy dice and “baby on board” signs since Alinghi raced LR.
I would suggest to use the sticker version of the “Baby on board” sign. Less windage.
From Rule 69 site:-
The news from the dockside is that Team New Zealand are deperately trying to eke out some more speed from NZL-92 to close the gap of around 10-15 seconds upwind. Alinghi is reckoned by the Prada team to have quite a significant edge on TNZ and the Kiwis have been playing around with bigger wings and their sail inventory. Downwind, the Kiwis reckon they’re a match but it’s going to be those crucial beats that will be a telling factor in the long term.
What do you think?
Dave
Hey Andy,
Less windage, but also less sail area. Same old story, AC boat design is a series of tradeoffs. Thats why I dispensed with the whole “baby on board” sign and left my AC boat without one!
Hey guys. Have we had a LVC this year? It must have been so long ago because I can hardly remember!!!! Only three and a bit days to go. That’s a bloody lifetime as well. Cheers, David G
In case you havn’t read these:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4101380a21895.html
http://www.sailmagazine.blogspot.com/
Uhuh, driving me crazy!
Just hope all this talk about NZL-92 not having the legs is bollocks.
G’day Peter. I trust you’re enjoying your break? Can you tell us whether this Notice of Race feud between ETNZ and Alinghi, about swapping boats has been resolved? Cheers, David G
Looks like something has rattled Ernies’ cage tho or else the lawyers wouldnt have been working on an issue that equates to 20m in an upwind leg. Mild surprise on the exclusion of the waka but knowing kiwi ingenuity it will appear in some form. Lets see them ban a rolling haka along the canal.
Roll on Saturday nite huh? and I’m not talking rugby.
Check this out for Alinghi the LVC is still not finished
http://www.alinghi.com/en/racing/lvc/index.php?idContent=8493
go to the bottom of that page a take a look at the scoreboard. Hilarious!
Good one, Andy. Hehehe. Let’s hope Alinghi’s weather team are the ones responsible for updating the team web site! Ha, ha.
Hopefully then theyd be just as thorough on the race course on Sunday. Hehehe.
On the other hand, they may be soooooo confident in their ‘rocket ship’ that they really didn’t give a toss which of the challengers won the LVC. Let’s hope not eh?! Cheers, David G.
PS; You’re talking my language, Lee!
America’s Cup live site
Every race night from Saturday 23 June until racing finishes
Marine Events Centre
135 Halsey Street, Viaduct Harbour
Free
Auckland City Council invites Aucklanders to come and share America’s Cup fever and support Emirates Team New Zealand in the lively atmosphere of the Marine Events Centre.
The family friendly indoor venue will be open every night racing takes place from Saturday 23 June 2007. Build up coverage begins at 11.30pm and racing at approximately 12.30am, weather dependent.
Scheduled racing dates are 23, 24, 26, 27, 29 and 30 June and 1, 3 and 4 July (with 5, 6 and 7 July as reserve days).
Cheer the team on as they come up against Alinghi in their challenge for the Auld Mug.
You can access the venue from Halsey Street or via a floating pontoon from Te Wero Island.
Like the Louis Vuitton Cup, the 32nd America’s Cup is a ‘first to five’ (best-of-nine) series.
Keep up to date on the team’s progress by visiting http://www.emiratesteamnz.com.
Published June 2007
Hey Pete!
Any lowdown on the claims that Alinghi has a brand new system of supporting the mast? or is it just a continuation of the running backstay issue?
Man, if the total windage was reduced that may equate to 50m or more. I just can’t get my head around how a mast can stay up with any less support.
Hey Lee,
Lets just hope it can’t stay up with any less support.
TIMBER!!!!!
Damn, I feel like “Donkey” out of Shrek 2
Are we there yet?
Are we there yet?
ARE WE THERE YET?!?
Just wish Saturday would roll around! @!##$$#@!!!
hi Jays, just musing but Ernie has enough resources to test any system he wants, well out of public view. Based on timing they have something new up their sleeves but may be marginal in terms of legality. Pete already mentioned that the shroud mounts on 100 looked different.
Lets hope its not a race winning item.
So….I can’t figure out from the news whether Alinghi is allowed to do what they want or not.
Anyone?
Hey fellas, every one was saying Luna Rosa was going to kick our arse in any breeze,and it didn’t happen. As far as 15 sec a leg go’s, what a load of horse poose (or is that donkey poose?). There is no way we, or any one else can really know relative boat speeds until the first race.
If TNZ are puting bigger wings on then it is just part of their preparation to mode the boat, it dos’nt mean its panic stations, what, did they have these reporter eggs in the shed when they did it or something and tell them how worried they all were, I don’t think so.
All I know is we have got a bloddy good shot at this thing, and if they don’t win I think TNZ have done us proud. Besides, if we lose we can all ways send over that angry fella who beat crap out of the cup to finish off the job. We could call it the america’s platter, no, Bert and Ernies platter.
Hi guys!!! I don’t remember hearing anything about Luna Rossa and Alinghi..anyway, whatever we hear, kiwis, don’t care about it!!!!!! Go on…we are going to start an important race and we have to think just to do the best!!!!! until saturday ( in valencia) we have only words…so, we have to wait for the facts……I am sure ETNZ will win….slower or faster than Alinghi…we have to consider all the things which make the team winning…
You have a good attitude Vale.
Jays, I guess a ruling will be made today, it appears to me that the race committee have over-ruled Dyer Jones call, that whatever it is is illegal. I’m sure Pete would be a lot closer to the goss, Ive just checked a few websites.
oops Ken MacAlpine is the measurer
I’ve got a feeling something controversial is going to happen with this cup.
It would be a shame for the event if Alinghi start rule bending or getting lawyers involved.
There are obviously major differences between ALinghi and TNZ in how the event should develop after this event, so whether we like it or not there is already politics involved. Ernesto seems to have long term plans to change the AC, so if we win it will stuff it all up for him, I just wonder whether he’s going to try and keep it at any cost.
Daniel, I don’t want to think so!!! No politics in AC!!!!!You know, I am going to Valencia in two weeks, hoping to watch still the cup…and if something goes wrong, as you told us, I don’t know what I would be able to do there….
honesty for me is very important….
Don’t worry Vale, I am sure you will have a great time with all those “naughty” kiwis who keep getting into trouble with Ernesto.
Just had a quick look at the interpretations and there seems to be a consistent line of questioning regards systems to alter critical mast angles by various means.
Taking the threads of the yes answers seems to allow some deformation in the rig/stay/keel relationship, even though the overall ruling is no, there seems to be a thread of yes’s that may allow it. Even to the extent of an allowable compound type for the keel/hull intersection. It seems to me what has been OK’d is attaching the stays to the head of the keel and allowing the mast to shift to translate those forces.
I hope it actually comes down to a good yacht race and not technological advantage or Lawyers.
Lee, I agree with you!! All that could make the race something different from its real character….the problem is that people are always thinking about power and money…just few people think about passion!!!! And according to me, AC should be played first of all with passion, respecting rules and other peole….but, perhaps, I am just dreaming!!!!
Hey I like the way you are looking at our sport.
Enjoy your time in Valencia =)
Thank you Lee!!! The reason of my way is my deep love for NZ !!!! And for sailing too!!! I think that it is a very good sport where you have to use body and mind!!!!!I can’t wait any more….. almost one month and I will be in Auckland to sail around the harbour!!!!!! I am so excited!!!
Don’t forget what the America’s Cup is and has been. It’s not a monotype race of course. It’s not only a race between the best sailors in the world. It’s a technological challenge and a lawyer challenge too, often played at the borders of the rules, trying to find something clever, and (hopefully for the team involved) permitted by the rules that can give you the “edge” over your opponent. It’s always been like this. Remember Australia II’s keel, the Hula, NZ’s big boat, the catamaran…
Tension is rising!
How many seconds to the prestart???
Hi Giulio!!! Russel Coutts affirms: PASSION, INNOVATION, TECHNOLOGY!!!…but I prefer to point out the first character ( passion). I don’t think that other characters are not important, but it could be great to avoid that sailing becomes just a trade in the same way happened to our football!!!
Giulio & Vale..
do you listen to Vasco Rossi? I love his stuff
Not as much as Dave Dobbyns “Loyal” tho
is it june 23 yet?! i feel like a kid waiting for christmas…
Hi Gary!!! How do you know Vasco Rossi?????? Yes I listen to, but I prefer country music and chill out….;-)
Hi Gary, he is my favourite singer!
There were also people injured!
Last Sunday there should have been a huge Vasco Rossi’s concert in Mestre (near Venice)!!! It was cancelled due to a wind storm that the day before made big damages
PS
I don’t know your Dave yet, but I’ll try to find something about him on the web!
Hi, I know a few Italians that are living here in Ireland.. they introduced me to him.. I like all music from everywhere, Zucchero & Jovanotti are good too, have been listening to some Articolo 31 recently, interesting! Just don’t get me started on my love of Italian food
I don’t think I’ve ever waited so long for anything in my life, this is taking forever!
eheheh Be patient! It’s not long before the start!!!!
If Alinghi are bending their keel with the rig, I think they are completely outside the intent of the rule. This sort of development is not advancing technology, it is bending the rules to have an unsporting advantage. The cost of this type of development (if they have it) must be hugely expensive for something they will probably put the brakes on for the next event, much like they did for that stupid hula thing we had last time. Why is Ken Mc Alpine being over ruled?
Get ready for the controversy
I agree, Daniel.
The “intent” of a rule and not only its text, should be considered to give a correct interpretation.
Finally!
we have a notice of Race:
http://acregatta.americascup.com/multimedia/docs/2007/06/nor_32_match.pdf
Game On!
Interesting about “Alinghi and the Top-Mast Backstay Controversy” at http://www.sailjuice.blogspot.com/
Check this out: Perhaps the best man to comment on the relative speed of the two boats, and I guess this should also put an end to the rumor that the LR guys thought the Swiss boat was faster than NZL92:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4103111a21895.html
Hi Shaukat,
It’s funny though, Spithill is like Robbie Deans (Crusaders Rugby Coach), he never really says anything of any real meaning that you can hang your hat on.
But, I would say, Spithill knows exactly who’s going to win…
In reading between the lines, I can only think that he reckons the whether (and probably the sea state) might be the determining factor.
I think, as predicted, if the breeze is 9-11 knots for the first 2 races, ETNZ have a better than 50% chance of gaining some momentum.
Jason T.