BS: America's cup.

Subject: BS: America's cup.
From: Gurney
Date: 08 Jun 07 - 01:13 AM

Modest lot, the Kiwis, eh? Big news here, though.

If you didn't know, Emirates Team New Zealand has won the Louis Voutton cup and so will challenge for the America's Cup shortly.

Some consider it the top match-racing trophy. Yacht racing, that is.

They are called Emirates... because that airline is the principal sponsor.

There were Kiwis aboard every challenger except the Chinese one, and there are some on the defender too. Must be good at it, eh.

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Jun 07 - 03:42 AM

I remember back in the sixties, Britain's challenger for the Americas Cup was being built at a very small yard in Sandbank Scotland.
The yard was so small that the bow of the boat protruded over the main road. I passed under it most mornings.

Amazing how things have changed....the boat was called "Sceptre" and I don't think she won a race against the American Yacht.

Very good luck to the New Zealanders in the "Americas"...Ake

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Schantieman
Date: 08 Jun 07 - 11:19 AM

There's a Nicholson 55 of that vintage (?) and name based at Joint Services at Gosport. Any relation I wonder?

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: akenaton
Date: 08 Jun 07 - 06:59 PM

Hi steve must be the same yacht.
She sailed against "Columbia" in the 32nd Americas Cup at Rhode Island.
Built by Alexander Robertson & son. Sandbank.
Designed by David Boyd.
Full details HERE

There were two boat yards in the small town of Sandbank, Robertsons and Morris & Lorimer. Both are now shut down and the land sold for housing development.
Sceptre was a real beauty and although not as fast as the American boat,she could more than hold her own on looks.
I watched her race on the Clyde many times and when she was at top speed (don't know the nautical term) she took your breath away...Ake

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: akenaton
Date: 08 Jun 07 - 07:07 PM

Sorry Steve it was of course the 17th Americas Cup, Sceptre v Columbia.

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Rapparee
Date: 08 Jun 07 - 09:26 PM

I've long liked Tom Paxton's "The Day We Lost The America's Cup" from his "One Million Lawyers" album.

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 09 Jun 07 - 03:37 AM

If you've ever lived in New Zealand, it's seriously boring - sailing off it is the best thing many Kiwis* do!

(* meaning of course, New Zealanders, not real kiwis, they don't swim. Or sail. Or fly even. They eat worms and lay eggs 2/3rds their own body size.)

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: guitar
Date: 09 Jun 07 - 06:01 PM

i just hope the anyone beats the yanks

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Little Robyn
Date: 09 Jun 07 - 07:14 PM

I don't think there are any Yankees in the running.
I believe there were/are Kiwis in just about every crew, both for the Louis Vuitton Cup and the America's Cup.
But we won't be watching.
Liz, kiwis are boring. Have you heard the definition of a kiwi?
He eats roots, shoots and leaves!
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 10 Jun 07 - 05:03 AM

Robyn - that's a panda! Also flightless and endangered, but does not have the shortest beak of the animal kingdom.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: akenaton
Date: 10 Jun 07 - 05:20 AM

Where's all the P.C. gang on this thread?
And what have the poor New Zealanders done to deserve such loathing?

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: EBarnacle
Date: 10 Jun 07 - 10:16 AM

They won what we rightly consider our property. AAfter all, we had it for well over a century. Will someone please win it back so Dennis Connor can come out of hiding?

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Rapparee
Date: 10 Jun 07 - 10:38 AM

If anyone has the lyrics to Tom Paxton's "The Day We Lost The America's Cup" please post them. I think they'd be quite appropriate here.

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Darowyn
Date: 10 Jun 07 - 01:02 PM

Personally I think the Americans cheat!
Calling it the America's Cup, means that they win it even when they lose.
It's like calling the cricket trophy "The Aussie Ashes" (might as well , come to think of it!)
or playing for the "Federer Cup" at Wimbledon.
How would you feel about the "Manchester United Superbowl"?
Cheers
Dave
(Yes, I do know the real reason for the name of the Americas Cup)

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Rapparee
Date: 10 Jun 07 - 05:06 PM

Please. Take that "Superbowl" thing. Take all of it. I'm sick of it, so it's all yours.

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 02:42 AM

G'day Darowyn,

Keep in mind that the Old Mug was made as "The Victoria's Cup" ... the tin-tanks won it in a race off England - took it back to the US of A ... and then they held "competitions" where the British contender had to be a heavy, ocean-going yacht ... and sail the Atlantic to America unaided ... while the tin-tanks competed with their fastest (just-)off-shore racing yacht - but still fielded the entire New York Yacht Squadron to surround the Poms ... just in case their heavy Atlantic sailor could still beat the local (pale-) blue water lightweight!

I think we Aussies should have stuck to the early suggestion of running the Mug under a steam-roller and renaming the competition "The Australia's Platter"!

Oh yes... and re. "The Aussie Ashes" ... remember that the urn (allegedly) holds the ashes of a cricket stump (and/or a set of bales) - cremated to mark "the death of cricket" ... because the Poms had been beaten by "mere colonials"! ... And, the 'to-and-froms' will only let go of that one at gunpoint ... even when they lose it hands down.

Regard(les)s,

Bob

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Darowyn
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 12:16 PM

"To-and-froms" had me puzzled for a while- you even beat the Old Country at rhyming slang now!
May as well give up! (we already have at cricket)
I like the idea of making all the boats sail to the venue though.
Though I feel that Home and Away legs would be only fair.
Are you listening in New Zealand?
Cheers
Dave

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Rapparee
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 12:25 PM

I think it should be a REAL race -- Start at Iceland, sail the Northwest Passage, across to Australia, down to NZ, circumnavigate Antarctica, and back to Iceland via the North Sea. Fastest time or sole survivor wins the damned thing.

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Gurney
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 06:14 PM

It isn't actually a cup, it is a jug or ewer, and it wasn't actually won by the America, but presented in recognition of a supreme yacht, which sailed the Atlantic and beat all comers, a feat never equalled because, as Bob said, specialist racers beat ocean-going yachts every time.

Nowadays, competitors don't go out in much more than a stiff breeze, and even then they break quite often, once, even into two pieces! Match-racers are the maritime equivalent of dragsters, hugely expensive, highly specialised, and totally bloody useless for anything else.

Rapaire, check out the Volvo round-the-world. I shouldn't think your route is practical for sailing craft, for the fate of Franklin no man can know.

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Rapparee
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 06:38 PM

The fate of Franklin...yeah. Scurvy, lead poisoning, lack of leadership and just plain stupid stubborness. And there has been a lot of Yupik and Inuit testimony collected about Franklin, his ships, and his men.

Okay, how about this route? Leave Halifax, Nova Scotia and sail North, round the Pole and head South via the Bering Strait, round that Pole and head back to Halifax, NS. Sure, there'll be a few storms and icepacks and things on the way, but it'll see what sort of sailor you ARE.

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Gurney
Date: 11 Jun 07 - 07:06 PM

A dead one, I should think. You'd get perhaps two entries. One of them from Ranulf Fiennes.

Cape Stiff and the Cape of Storms not tough enough?

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Grab
Date: 12 Jun 07 - 08:01 AM

I can't see Ellen Macarthur and Pete Goss passing up the chance, somehow. Both raving nutters, and both incredibly brave.

Match-racing in general doesn't do too much for me - I much prefer fleet racing. It's the same way the Tour de France is more interesting than watching two blokes cycle round a velodrome for half an hour. I've never match-raced myself, but I used to love being out on the river when I was a kid, dinghy or cruiser racing.

Graham.

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Schantieman
Date: 12 Jun 07 - 12:35 PM

Akenaton

I am a complete moron. The boat I'm thinking of is Sabre, not Sceptre !

But Sceptre does ring a bell. Maybe I inquired about chartering her sometime?

Steve

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Rapparee
Date: 12 Jun 07 - 10:28 PM

Just trying to see who's got the best boat and the best seamanship. Which gives me a great idea: they can also sail on the Sea of Tranquility for a weather break.

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: EBarnacle
Date: 13 Jun 07 - 09:31 AM

Why not the Sargasso Sea? Getting there is half the fun. Besides, it is in international waters.

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Jun 07 - 03:05 PM

It's all on.
We lost the first race but the other guys made a mistake yesterday and so we beat them. One each!
But we need to do that 4 more times.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: GUEST,Little Robyn
Date: 24 Jun 07 - 03:06 PM

Where'd my cookie go?
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: goatfell
Date: 25 Jun 07 - 07:52 AM

I remember when Australia won the America's cup, and the sore grapes from the American team said that the Australian team cheated, so much for the good old American good sportsmanship, I mean us the Scots, we would just turn around say great you've won Australia we were beating by a better yacht and team.

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: EBarnacle
Date: 25 Jun 07 - 09:55 AM

At the time, the winged keel was seen as a radical move. The interpretation of the deed of gift for the cup is that a) there should be no technology used that is not available to everyone and [in theory at least] the boat should be built of materials available in the land of registry. In the case of the winged keel, the race committee evaluated it and ok'd it, which made it legal. It was a technological leap but so were sail tracks and highfield levers in their day of introduction.

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25 Jun 07 - 10:14 AM

So where is this race taking place this year, Lake Geneva?

It is a pity that the entry from the States proved so slow. Of course, she might have won if the crew had only remembered to haul up the anchor.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Greg B
Date: 25 Jun 07 - 10:55 AM

Remember when Britton Chance designed a boat that had a
big squared-off underwater section aft, as a contender for
defender?

I think it was 'Latitude 38' that quipped 'Shit, Brit, even
a turd is pointed at both ends!'

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Little Robyn
Date: 25 Jun 07 - 03:50 PM

'So where is this race taking place this year, Lake Geneva?'

Off the coast of Spain, at Valencia. And the weather/winds have been a factor, I believe. If the winds are lighter, the NZ/Emirates boat has a good chance of beating anyone but if the wind is strong and the seas a bit rough, then it's not so good.
Our boat is called Black Magic so maybe we have a chance of winning back the cup - it's good for tourism down here.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Charley Noble
Date: 25 Jun 07 - 05:10 PM

Thanks, Robyn, for the location update. I suspected that the Swiss were unable to make a compelling case for Lake Geneva. No doubt if they could have nailed that location they might have been tempted to require competing boats to sail to the race site.

We get very little coverage of these races in the States, no doubt related to the demise of our boat, but in addition there just isn't much of an appeal to the average sports fan who prefers watching football or hockey players mash each other into jelly pulp.

Maybe if sail racing were more of a "contact sport" interest would be increased. I would think that adding a ram under the bow might add interest.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Bob Bolton
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 12:01 AM

G'day Charley,,\

Well... we could revive the Sydney Harbour racing style of the early 20th century - up to WW 2. This had classes all the way from 6 footers to 18 footers... which were built like mediaeval warships. The 18 footers carried 3000 square foot of sail ... and needed a football team to ballance them ... until the last run toi the line... when the footbsllers all jumped overboard and swam to shore!

Regards(les)s,

Bob

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: open mike
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 12:07 AM

is this a thread about bras? it is right next to the underwear thread.
boxers and briefs...

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Little Robyn
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 01:09 AM

Hi Charley, if you wanted to follow it, here's a link to the NZ Herald
that should keep you up to date.
They had a rest day yesterday but there should be more action tonight.
Cheers,
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Gurney
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 03:40 AM

Greg B, of course turds are pointed. It is a good design, otherwise your backside would slam shut.

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: EBarnacle
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 08:44 AM

Great link, thanks LR.

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Little Robyn
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 04:09 PM

Two down, three to go!
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Charley Noble
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 07:46 PM

Unfortunately the link to New Zealand newspapers doesn't work for Safari. But I'll see if I can Goggle up my own link.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Charley Noble
Date: 26 Jun 07 - 07:50 PM

This link works for me: Click here for a good time!

Wow! What a race!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: jeffp
Date: 27 Jun 07 - 11:21 AM

Tied 2-2 now. The Swiss led all the way after a 1-second advantage at the start.

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: EBarnacle
Date: 28 Jun 07 - 09:56 AM

Awri...It's all tied up after 4 and all the races have been within a minute. Now that's match racing.

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Jun 07 - 03:15 PM

Thanks for the update! We won't get this news in our papers in the States for a week or so...

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Greg B
Date: 28 Jun 07 - 03:38 PM

Charley, EBarnacle's in Brooklyn, which is the United States.

The Cup is being covered live on cable television here, and
all the results are posted on the various news web sites like
CNN.com and MSNBC.com

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: jeffp
Date: 28 Jun 07 - 04:57 PM

www.americascup.com has official coverage. I was listening to live commentary at work yesterday morning. The internet is a wondrous thing.

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Charley Noble
Date: 28 Jun 07 - 09:11 PM

Greg-

Perhaps I should further qualify my remarks that my mirning paper, the Portland Press Herald, has been know to ignore exciting things such as international yacht races.

Now if the crews would beat each other up with boathooks, or shot cannon balls at each other,our media's interest might be provoked!

But since when was Brooklyn considered part of the United States? My brother lives there and he and his neighbors consider it a separate nation, if not another planet.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: EBarnacle
Date: 29 Jun 07 - 11:45 AM

It is a separate nation, nay, a separate world, which may have something to do with why I live in Basking Ridge, NJ, right now.
PS, I think Charley actually knew that, though. EB
Race 5: 19 sec--even after NZ blew their spinnaker and lost the lead and the race! Wow, that's evenly matched! Great crews and great boats.

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Charley Noble
Date: 29 Jun 07 - 05:19 PM

"Split their spinnaker!" Now that's a lovely line for a commemorative song.

And I understand they had trouble sending a 2nd spinnacker up. Maybe if they had had a shantysinger aboard they would have done better.

So according to my fingers that makes the score Swiss 3/NZ 2.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Greg B
Date: 29 Jun 07 - 05:36 PM

Gee, Eric, were it for a year or three, we'd have been
nearly neighbors (you were at my former house in Millington
at least once, I believe).

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Little Robyn
Date: 30 Jun 07 - 03:43 AM

The second sail got caught in the first one so that cramped their style for a bit.
In a few hours we'll see if they can redeem themselves.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Charley Noble
Date: 30 Jun 07 - 12:39 PM

Robyn-

I thought the problem was that someone had caught his "knackers" in the main sheet block, whatever "knackers" might be.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Little Robyn
Date: 30 Jun 07 - 06:43 PM

I'm not up on the technicalities of yachting but I'm sure he had his knackers in the mangle afterwards!
Well, we missed the last race.
The Swiss only have to win one more and they keep the cup but we still have 3 races left - if we can win all three.........
Dream on.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Little Robyn
Date: 30 Jun 07 - 06:51 PM

Actually, it was the spin-naker that got caught.
There are some photos here

Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: SINSULL
Date: 30 Jun 07 - 09:12 PM

I saw it live on TV. At one point they had three spinnakers up. The first split; the second got caught up in the first. By the time they had recovered they had cut away the second sail and a halyard. There was talk of a possible foul. Dropping crap in the path of other contenders is a no no.

Very exciting actually.
SINS, who raced Shields in her glory days.

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Charley Noble
Date: 01 Jul 07 - 11:57 AM

May the better team win!

Well, this one does seem to be a very close match.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Little Robyn
Date: 02 Jul 07 - 03:09 AM

They couldn't race today - not enough wind for anyone.
Maybe tomorrow???
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Charley Noble
Date: 02 Jul 07 - 08:26 AM

If we're becalmed that would be a great sin,
Away, Rio!
But we can fill all our sails by just breakin' wind,
An' we're bound for the Rio grande!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Little Robyn
Date: 02 Jul 07 - 03:54 PM

Still no action.
They think the hole in the sail was made by dragging the sail along the deck, which has a new abraisive finish - presumably so they don't slip over. I guess the delay is giving them some extra time to think about the problem and sort it out.
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Little Robyn
Date: 02 Jul 07 - 04:00 PM

At the bottom of this page was a link to the story here

It tells you all about it!

That Google fellow is very clever - he knows just what I'm looking for!
Oh, it's changed now - it's about naming your baby. That's no use to me!
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: jeffp
Date: 03 Jul 07 - 10:33 AM

And the Swiss successfully defend the Cup with a one-second victory today.

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Charley Noble
Date: 03 Jul 07 - 12:08 PM

"One-second"?

Give that crew another piece of cheese or chocolate!

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Charley Noble
Date: 03 Jul 07 - 12:17 PM

Here's one version of the story (might as well have a permanent record here to cap this thread):

Wednesday, 4 July 2007
Alinghi shatter NZ's America's Cup dream

Alinghi has won the 32nd America's Cup in Valencia, downing Team New Zealand in the seventh race of the best-of-nine series by the slimmest of margins, just one second.
Yet another dramatic race in an incident-packed regatta produced five clear lead changes, with the New Zealanders charging home as the wind switched right around on the final leg and crews hoisted jibs.
The wind change produced chaos on SUI100, which hit a flat patch and had its spinnaker get caught under the boat on the drop.
However, the need to relieve themselves of the penalty proved decisive for Team NZ and they were passed just metres out from the finish.
"It was obviously pretty close but all credit to Alinghi. They sailed well, kept it close, kept on sailing the way they do and beat us fair and square," said New Zealand general manager Grant Dalton.
Once again, despite the end result, New Zealanders have done the country proud in helping make the event an exciting series and many, some controversially, are represented in the winning 'Swiss' team. The America's Cup has proven, if anything, that New Zealanders are some of the best sailors in the world.
After two days of non-action on the water, with a postponement because of lack of wind followed by a scheduled rest day, the conditions this afternoon were great for sailing, with a sea breeze of about 15 knots at start time.
During the pre-start, Team NZ skipper Dean Barker pushed rival helmsman Ed Baird deep into the box.
When the boats came back to the line, the start was even, with both on starboard tack and Team NZ to leeward on the left.
The early drag race out to the left was even, before SUI100 tacked away. NZL92 followed suit and there was another speed test, with Team edging marginally ahead.
When Alinghi came back for the first cross, Team NZ, on port tack so having to give way if required, couldn't quite cross in front, but was able to force the Swiss away.
A short tacking duel ensued, with Barker just keeping his bow in front.
But late in the leg, during another drag race out to the left, Alinghi were able to survive in the disadvantaged windward position and push Team NZ out to the layline.
When the crews tacked back and approached the top mark, Alinghi, with a couple of good luffs that Team NZ had to respond to, managed to establish an inside overlap and rounded 7s ahead.
In the first downwind run, Barker's crew produced some superb work, getting close enough to affect the opposition's air.
Three-quarters of the way down the leg, NZL92 rolled over SUI100 to hit the front again.
As in race six, when SUI100 grabbed the decisive lead on the third leg, Team NZ again elected to round the left-hand gate, while the Swiss rounded the right.
As in that race, Team NZ tacked back to cover but Alinghi again got some better breeze on the right-hand side.
As the Swiss came back and the boats headed for the first cross of the leg, Team NZ were unable to cross in front but man aged to force Alinghi away.
SUI100 skipper and tactician Brad Butterworth initiated a tacking duel, making small gains with each manoeuvre.
When the boats settled down to another drag race out to the left, the Swiss remained just behind with starboard advantage.
Just out from the mark, in a move called by Butterworth, Alinghi hunted Team NZ, who after tacking on the layline, bore away to go under SUI100's stern.
But the Swiss had to alter course to avoid a collision, flew a protest flag and had the umpires rule in their favour.
Team NZ rounded the mark 12s behind and with penalty to get rid off.
Alinghi appeared to be heading for a comfortable victory before the closest cup match in 24 years produced its unexpected finale.

- with NZPA

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Little Robyn
Date: 03 Jul 07 - 03:55 PM

I guess that says it all!
That's it for a few years. Now we can get back to real life (and regular television. Some of my favourite programmes kept getting bumped off.)
Robyn

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Jul 07 - 10:35 AM

Well, finally, our local newspaper had a picture of Alinghi, deck crowded with about a hundred supporters, approaching the winner's circle. She looked in serious danger of being sunk by her admirers. There actually was one Swiss crew member aboard, contrary to popular rumor, and lots of chocolate and cheese for ballast.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Little Robyn
Date: 04 Jul 07 - 04:03 PM

'There actually was one Swiss crew member aboard'
and five of the Swiss crew were kiwis!
The kiwi boat was beaten by a bunch of kiwis!
Robyn

Subject: ADD: The Famous Yacht Alinghi (Steve Freedman)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 04 Jul 07 - 05:17 PM

Here's the song that was composed the first time around:

THE FAMOUS YACHT ALINGHI
(Steve Freedman)
Dec 2002

Oh come all you brave young yachtsmen, who sail the stormy deep
I'll tell to you a secret which you must forever keep,
Concerning that bold sail-i-or, Russell Coutts it is his name
And he sailed the yacht Alinghi; from Switzerland it came.

With Jochen Schümann by his side in Auckland he set sail
All for to win America's Cup, he knew he must not fail.
The Gnomes of Zurich backed them, and they pleaded on their knees:
"Oh bring us back a box of holes for Emmenthaler cheese!"

In Schnackenburg, the Kiwi boat, they had a great tactician
His sails and legal knowledge they did help them on their mission
Th' Alinghi overcame them all, it nearly drove them balmy,
'Coz they all had knives they'd gotten from the world-renowned Swiss Army.

With army knives about their waists on Kevlar lanyards worn
They set about the Kiwi boat as to the manner born;
Removing of her fish-scales and the horses' hooves as well
With their magnifying glasses they did cause her hull to swell.

Well the series it was over and the Kiwis had been beaten.
For far too much Swiss choc-o-late by them, it had been eaten
The famous yacht Alinghi, was first into the dock
But they found they'd been and timed the race with a crooked cuckoo clock!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 15 Feb 10 - 05:10 PM

Well done the septics, beautiful boat, incredible spectacle. I think it worked out circa $80,000,000 for every hour of racing, but it was rivetting watching two egomaniacs try and kick the shit out of each other. IMO, the nicest egomaniac won.

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Feb 10 - 05:43 PM

It was strange to see a little link about this at refdesk.com yesterday. I had seen NO other mention it was even happening.

Even stranger is the odd set of rules they operate under so that just two big spenders can have challenges like this and not invite any others.

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: catspaw49
Date: 15 Feb 10 - 06:38 PM

I used to be hooked on AC but the past couple have been just ridiculous.

Bill, the rules have always been "off center" as the owners of the Cup made the rules. Today's technology and money have taken much away from the sport. The tactics are still fun.......but less so than in the days of the Twelves.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: GUEST,lillyruben
Date: 15 Feb 10 - 07:14 PM

the rules have always changed because that americans cannot play fair. money, greed, money, greed, money money money thats all it is i sure it could be better spent on something more tragic than that, did not even bother to watch it

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: EBarnacle
Date: 15 Feb 10 - 09:34 PM

There have been lawyers and lawsuits involved since 1851, when America first won the cup. If you think the current action is nasty, read a few histories of the first race.

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: catspaw49
Date: 15 Feb 10 - 11:55 PM

Yep........America was so fast they insisted upon an inspection for another power source!

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Amos
Date: 16 Feb 10 - 09:35 AM

There is a beautiful fore-and-aft rigged schooner lying alongside our Maritime Museum down at the San Diego waterfront, said to be a replica of the original America. The story is the owners of the US America's Cup team use her for whale-watching expeditions. Lovely to look at.


A

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Charley Noble
Date: 16 Feb 10 - 12:24 PM

Guess I missed the race this year...

Who won?

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Charley Noble
Date: 16 Feb 10 - 12:30 PM

Here's a link: Click here for report

I guess the United States' boat beat the Swiss.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Bill D
Date: 16 Feb 10 - 12:30 PM

The billionaire beat the mega-millionaire.... I think...

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: EBarnacle
Date: 16 Feb 10 - 02:18 PM

The gasses from the decomposing bucks thrown into her wake favored the "American" yacht.

The question is whether San Francisco will bid enough for the race to be held in SF Bay and whether the deed of gift will allow the races to be held within the bay. It states that the race site must be free of headlands.

Who knows, it may even be back to Newport.

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Amos
Date: 16 Feb 10 - 03:11 PM

BMW ORACLE Racing win the 33rd America's Cup match for the USA. A fantastic finale to this historic match.

18:37
Alinghi cross the finish line 5 minutes and 26 seconds after USA. The Swiss team were 24 seconds behind off the start line, 28 seconds behind at WW 1 mark, 2mins 44 secs behind at the gybe mark, Mark 2.

18:32
USA cross the finish line first and should lift the America's Cup subject to any protest. The crew look delighted. It is the first time that a challenger has won a Deed of Gift match. USA win 2-0. Coutts remains unbeaten in the America's Cup match, winning 15 Cup match races on board.

18:13
USA making a gybe to lay the finish and are back up to 18-19 knots after encountering a spell of lighter winds.

18:07
A remarkable spectacle as USA stretch towards the finish line of Race 2, towards overall victory. An American team have not won the America's Cup since 1992 when America3 defeated Il Moro 4-1 in San Diego.

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Charley Noble
Date: 16 Feb 10 - 08:29 PM

I'm still surprised that there was no mention of this story in the newspapers or TV that I have access to. It's true that yacht racing is a conspicuous sport of the filthy rich but I thought that would make it a major story.

So was it "design" or "crew" that made the difference?

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: EBarnacle
Date: 17 Feb 10 - 11:05 AM

Clearly. As you know perfectly well, Charley, speed through/over the water is a function of waterline length and beam. As Tri's have a longer effective WL than either cats or monohulls for a given length overall, it would have been surprising had the American team lost.

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Charley Noble
Date: 18 Feb 10 - 10:19 AM

Eric-

Actually, I wasn't aware of the design differences between the two boats but thanks for the clarification.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Amos
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 03:16 PM

he America's Cup is returning to San Diego for a celebration on Sunday.

Sailing's most-coveted trophy will be in San Diego with the BMW Oracle team that reclaimed it last week with two straight race wins over the Alinghi defenders from Switzerland.

The races were sailed off Valencia, Spain.

The BMW Oracle team spent 16 months in San Diego tuning its 90-foot trimaran for its America's Cup duel against Alinghi's catamaran, although the team represented San Francisco's Golden Gate Yacht Club in the America's Cup. Eventually, the trophy will reside at the Golden Gate club.

BMW Oracle boss Larry Ellison, CEO Russell Coutts and helmsman James Spithill have said San Diego is where the team perfected sailing the demanding trimaran that was powered by a 243-foot hard-wing rather than traditional sails.

Sunday's ceremonies will begin at 4 p.m. on the USS Midway with the unveiling of the America's Cup, which called San Diego home from 1987-95. The formal ceremonies start an hour later on the Midway with Mayor Jerry Sanders proclaiming Larry Ellison Day in San Diego.

At 6, the crew will board the America, the replica of the 1851 schooner for which the cup is named, to be transferred to San Diego YC for a 7 p.m. reception.

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Charley Noble
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 05:12 PM

Amos-

Have you determined what they will fill the Cup with?

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: Amos
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 05:17 PM

I have no idea--maybe Karl Schtrausch beer from our local bwewwy.

A

Subject: RE: BS: America's cup.
From: catspaw49
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 07:50 PM

It has no bottom. Ain't that the shits? Billions spent since 1851 for a piece of crap that originally cost 20 Guineas and had no bottom!

Now y'all no where the money goes................

Spaw