America's Cup 2013

[Hugh Jarse]

This from the NZ Herald on line:

It's hard enough beating Oracle Team USA - but the clock as well?
It was like watching Ferraris race on flat tyres. The wind - which seemed to be building dangerously towards OTUSA's comfort zone - suddenly dropped away to a measly 9 knots on a foggy San Francisco Bay.
They still managed 20 knots at times but both boats, especially OTUSA's, looked de-powered. On leg 4, Team NZ were a kilometer ahead.
But they faced a new enemy. Not too much wind, not enough wind. The time limit to complete the race is 40 minutes - but it was obvious on the upwind leg that Team NZ were going to fall foul of the clock.

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/americas-cup/news/article.cfm?c_id=531&objectid=11128089

I know plenty of Sailors who dream of sailing at 20 knots.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

USARugger, or other US based Gaggerlanders, Looking at the NZ Herald coverage, the America's cup is fairly well supported in NZ.

When we had the cup in 87 (and when we won it in 83), it had massive support here.

What is the coverage like in the US? Does the average Yank even know that it is on?

 

[USARugger]

Mate the vast majority of our country is too landlocked and too poor to give a shit about sailing

 

[Hugh Jarse]

The Sydney Skipper wins two more races for the Septics today.
8-5 to New Zealand in the first to 9 series.

There is a warehouse full of black neck adornments left unsold after RWC2011.
The manufacturers may find a market for these soon if the Team NZ do not find some luck on the water soon.

Meanwhile the coverage of the cup is rating through the roof in NZ
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/yachting/news/article.cfm?c_id=106&objectid=11128565

TVNZ blockbusters
1997
One Network News Diana Funeral
Rating 28.6
Average viewers: 893,200
2000
Sydney Olympics Opening Ceremony
Rating 34.6
Average viewers: 1,155,200
2011
RWC 2011 Opening Ceremony
Rating 28.5
Average viewers: 1,157,200
2013
America's Cup Race 13
Rating 29.5
Average viewers: 1,225,000

 

[aeneas]

and if they dont win it soon the suicide rate is going to go through the fucking roof.

Spithill is an amazing sailor though.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Tom Slingsby is no slouch either.

Is is any coincidence that the USA resurgence started when Ben Ainslie was appointed the tactician?

As good as James may be as a helmsmen, that appointment seems to have been the USA trump card.

Imagine an Aust challenge with Outtridge, Slingsby and Spithill in the afterguard?

 

[Hugh Jarse]

NZ 8 - USA 7.

Longest America's Cup Regatta in history.

NZ on the verge of histories greatest choke.

 

[Baldric]

NZ on the verge of histories greatest choke.

The South African cricket team will be holding onto that fairly firmly.

 

[aeneas]

I don't know if it is actually a choke job but im sure that that's all that will be said about it in the future.

Oracle appears to have far too many resources and they've turned their boat into a rocket. It's hard to win if the opposition has better kit.

Russell Coutts has never been beaten in AC racing. Looks like that will remain true.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

8-8 now. Winner takes all in the next race.

No pressure.

 

[AngrySeahorse]

I don't know a whole lot about sailing but I've been keeping an eye on this & this is pretty extraordinary. Doesn't team USA have something like 8 Aussies on board?

 

[It is what it is]

I don't know a whole lot about sailing but I've been keeping an eye on this & this is pretty extraordinary. Doesn't team USA have something like 8 Aussies on board?

Not sure of the number of Aussies, but did I hear correctly that there are no Americans on the US boat?

 

[Hugh Jarse]

AngrySeahorse, I'm not sure how many Australians are in the Design and support team, or in the lesser roles on board, but the two of the three key positions on board are Aussies: James Spithill and Tom Slingsby.

The key point of difference though seems to be Ben Ainslie (a pom) who was brought in to replace an American tactician John Koztecki after a run of losses.

There are sufficient top notch Aussie sailors around the regatta to put together an effective True Blue campaign. What we don't have is a Syndicate leader with deep pockets or great connections to multinationals with deep pockets.

 

[It is what it is]

Australians coined the phrase "Doing a Bradbury" to define winning from an impossible to win position.
If NZ lose the decider tomorrow will the Kiwi's coin a new phrase "Doing a Barker" to define losing from an impossible to lose position?

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Regardless of tomorrows outcome, "Doing a Baker" will either define the extreme choke or the act of taking supporters from supreme confidence to the precipice of the extreme choke.

 

[boyo]

Not sure of the number of Aussies, but did I hear correctly that there are no Americans on the US boat?

AFAIK there's one septic.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Calling it now. America's Cup to stay in Septica.

Blitzing the Kiwis up wind.

"Doing a Barker" to be defined as snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

Aussie Skipper, Pommie Tactician, Aussie Strategist. Congratulations USA.

 

[aeneas]

Bugger

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Sir Ben Ainslie has cost the NZ economy several hundred million dollars.

Demand for new TV's skyrockets in NZ after reports that several hundred thousand were damaged this morning.

 

[BarneySF]

2/3 of the NZ Team Support Crew live in my building here in SF - better lock the doors.