Is anyone on here currently gripped by the Americas cup racing? I see a similar thread was open and closed with little interest in 2010, what now?that the boats are fast (for a boat), 100% foiling and not like yachting at all really!
I have to admit to going out and buying a TV just to watch the (delayed) free to air coverage.
It's 4 races in so far and set to recommence at the weekend. Team NZ vs America 17 (Emirates Team NZ (minor sponsors) vs Oracle - Xerox)
I use to crew on J105 and X99 racing yachts until kids came along, when I gave up smoking (which you can do whilst yacht racing!) and took up cycling. Team NZ have cunningly taken the power of cycling onto their boat to drive the hydraulic systems and they are currently a couple of knots faster than the yanks, (more aero too) it's captivating me, but I've always followed the cup...
Posted on: 20 June 2017 by Christopher_M
Isn't it enough for you to have the world's greatest rugby team?!
I sailed a Cherub as a teen, then life got in the way.
Your NZ boat looks pretty amazing. I knew about the cycling winch men.
As for the cup itself, I had the feeling that the Americans always win it so find it hard to get too excited. The story that plays well here in the UK is Ben Ainslie winning the cup for the US when he stepped in last time. (I have been a bit sketchy there but you get it).
I'd like an upset this time so here's to your NZ team.
Posted on: 21 June 2017 by Happy Listener
Holmes -
From what I have seen, the NZ boat appears to be on another technical level to the US boat, even though the stated budget of the latter's campaign is far bigger. Takes me back to the days of the winged keel.
From what I've seen so far (BT and BBC?), the coverage has been very good and the graphics have helped to explain why the NZ boat has been faster - but it hasn't disclosed the detail of the technology behind this success. A tad strange though to see cyclists and a man with a pad controlling the boat. There's progress for you!
Posted on: 26 June 2017 by Kiwi cat
Well done Team New Zealand! They managed to win the cup back with the odds very much stacked against them, in terms of the rules the Oracle team set for the regatta. Jimmy Spittal was the epitome of grace in conceding defeat and Bermuda ran a fantastic event. Auckland here we come!
Posted on: 26 June 2017 by Clay Bingham
Nicely done. The New Zealand boat was just brilliant. Hard to be upset losing to such a quality team and effort. Plus Kiwis are nice people.
Watched a few of the races when shown on broadcast rather than cable tv and the Kiwi boat never slowed down. The speed while tacking was hard to believe and the bicycle grinders were very clever.
