America's Cup 2013

[Hugh Jarse]

Who can remember back to 1983 when Australia won the America's Cup?
The whole country seemed to come to a standstill at that time.

The PM said any boss who sacked a worker who didn't turn up to work after we won the final race at about 3am in the morning was a bum. (6:00 on interview)

Legend of a PM.


http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11121411

Just stumbled on this on the New Zealand Herald web site.

Apparently New Zealand are 2 up in a first to 7 America's Cup regatta.

The Team USA Oracle Catamaran is being skippered by an Australian - James Spithill in a syndicate lead by a New Zealander.

Things have changed a bit since the good old days when Dennis Conner was public enemy no 1.

Professionalism and multinationalism seem to have made the America's Cup just another event on a crowed sporting calendar.

 

[boyo]

Who can remember back to 1983 when Australia won the America's Cup?
The whole country seemed to come to a standstill at that time.

The PM said any boss who sacked a worker who didn't turn up to work after we won the final race at about 3am in the morning was a bum.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11121411

Just stumbled on this on the New Zealand Herald web site.

Apparently New Zealand are 2 up in a first to 7 America's Cup regatta.

The Team USA Oracle Catamaran is being skippered by an Australian - James Spithill in a syndicate lead by a New Zealander.

Things have changed a bit since the good old days when Dennis Conner was public enemy no 1.

Professionalism and multinationalism seem to have made the America's Cup just another event on a crowed sporting calendar.

Faaark.

 

[strokeside]

And Australia's Ian Murry is running the whole show.
YouTube this and have a look at what happens when one of these monsters nosedives, that's why they are all wearing helmets and safety padding (life jackets).

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Found the America's Cup races live on Foxtel (6am-8am usually AEST).

Watching now on the IQ.

These wind machines get up to 45 knots in a 18 knot breeze. Sheeeeeet that is fast.

This is sailing on the edge.

 

[aeneas]

So after race 4 there was a rest day where Oracle made some changes to their boat. Yesterday in race 5 they lost by a spectacularly large margin so instead of fronting up for race 6 they made the decision to withdraw from it. This is completely allowed under the rules for both teams and you can do it once in the regatta. Given that today is also a rest day the decision seems like a completely sensible idea as they will be able to either go back to their original setup, under which due to Spithill's brilliance they smoked Emirates Team NZ in race 4, or do something different.

The feral NZ media on the other hand is accusing them of hiding, being cowards etc etc etc.

Honestly, Kiwis and our attitude to yachting is far more embarrassing than the attitude to rugby.

 

[aeneas]

Who can remember back to 1983 when Australia won the America's Cup?
The whole country seemed to come to a standstill at that time.

And in NZ we focused on how the sails were made here.

1995 race 4. 100% of the TV's in NZ were on the final race according to the ratings.

 

[aeneas]

Racing resumed today. Oracle changed their tactician and presumably reversed whatever they did earlier in the week.

2 more wins for TNZ. 3 to go.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

I have just converted 46 knots into a speed that is more familiar for the rest of us to make valid comparisons using the "convert units" ap on the iphone.

46 knots is 85 km/hr!!

That is not sailing those boys are doing, that is bloody powerboat racing.

There are not many roads in Sydney Metro area where those boats could legally sail on at their top speed in a 18 knot (33km/hr) wind.

No wonder they wear all that safety equipment.

It would almost be unsafe to waterski behind those things at full pelt downwind.

 

[aeneas]

I have just converted 46 knots into a speed that is more familiar for the rest of us to make valid comparisons using the "convert units" ap on the iphone.

46 knots is 85 km/hr!!

That is not sailing those boys are doing, that is bloody powerboat racing.

There are not many roads in Sydney Metro area where those boats could legally sail on at their top speed in a 18 knot (33km/hr) wind.

No wonder they wear all that safety equipment.

It would almost be unsafe to waterski behind those things at full pelt downwind.

I assume you realise that these boats are deadly?

http://www.sfgate.com/business/bloo...r-TV-America-s-Cup-Meets-Sailor-s-4807646.php

 

[Hugh Jarse]

James Spithill, one of Middle Harbour Yacht Clubs finest, has clawed one race back for Oracle USA.

 

[aeneas]

Split races today. Two to go for TNZ. NZ media is frothing.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

We won the cup from the Yanks in 83.

One of our blokes is driving the boat for USA.

Another of ours was driving the boat for Sweden.

There are probably some of our blokes on the crew of key support staff for NZ.

One of our blokes is the Chief Race Official.

Yes it costs a shed full of money to campaign for the America's Cup (I've heard $100m, not sure if this is annual or total budget), but we have the sailing history, we have the sailing talent, we have a very robust and strong economy, why are we not there competing?

 

[strokeside]

You only get one Alan Bond in a lifetime!

 

[Hugh Jarse]

So apart from the NZ Govt is bankrolling Team NZ?

Plenty of off shore corporates - Arab Airline (Emirates), Japanese Car manufacturer (toyata), Swiss Food manufacturer (Nestle).

I don't see any Merchant Bankers with egos involved (Michael Fay).

Bondy was only involved in a couple of challenges. Plenty of Packer and Hardy money in our earlier tilts.

No reason why Australian Yacht club can not assemble a bunch of off shore corporates to bank roll our tilt.

And when we win it, there are plenty of places to run the regatta that would showcase Oz, and separate the challengers from their money.

When we win it, give the event a unique Australian feel and run the regatta on Lake George.

 

[aeneas]

Whats sailing been like as a sport in Australia in the last 20 years? In NZ competitive sailing is the only sport where the expectation on winning (and dominating) is anywhere near what the All Blacks have. Anything less than mulitple golds at the olympics is considered abject failure by the press.

From this side of the Tasman after Bond et al won the Cup in 83 its almost like Australia has forgotten about sailing.

 

[aeneas]

I must say I lol'd at this

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/americas-cup/9175762/Coutts-asked-to-wish-TNZ-well-by-NZOC

 

[aeneas]

One win to go but racing has been abandoned for the day.

 

[Muttonbird]

Anything could happen still but when you consider Team NZ now hold seven match points it seems like an unclimbable mountain for Oracle.

Jimmy Spithill, the Aussie rough diamond, summed it up perfectly when crossing the line second today, "Fuck it".

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Colourful language from the NZ Boat over the effects mike when racing was abandoned after 40 minute time limit was reached. before they had crossed the finish line.

NZ were a fair way ahead in the race that could have won them the cup.

Too much wind, and now too little.

When these boats are doing ONLY 20 knots, people complain about the race being at turtle pace.

 

[cyclopath]

Whats sailing been like as a sport in Australia in the last 20 years? In NZ competitive sailing is the only sport where the expectation on winning (and dominating) is anywhere near what the All Blacks have. Anything less than mulitple golds at the olympics is considered abject failure by the press.

From this side of the Tasman after Bond et al won the Cup in 83 its almost like Australia has forgotten about sailing.

Australia has hardly "forgotten" about sailing. They did OK at the Olympics, and, as a pastime, it seems to have reasonable ongoing participation. If you look at corporate marquee sailing, like this, then nobody seems to have the will and cash to do it. The number of Aus sailors involved in various campaigns suggests the skill level at the top in Aus sailing is alright.
Any thoughts, Gibbo ?