America Cup 33 .. the race of the Titans

[piisfish 140]

Next monday, we should be able to witness the fastest regatta ever between 2 of the incrediblest wind-propelled boats ever.

My preference would be that Alinghi wins on the water, and that the NY Court doesn't invalidate the result of the race.

The 2 boats have never been directly compared, anything can happen. Best wishes to both sailing teams, keep it exciting, don't break anything.

Who do you think will win, and how ?

P.S. it might be the 1st sailing regatta where the prestart could be : Gentlemen, Start your engines

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM

[Squeak 17]

the CUP has been a farce since Australia II won, every race has been a legal shit-fight since.

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[piisfish 140]

errrr.... don't think there was any legal-fighting in the last 2 editions at least...

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM

[LongWayToFall 0]

Where the fuck is american TV coverage???????????????????????????????????????

[piisfish 140]

it will be free on the internet, on the America's Cup website.
www.americascup.com/en/regate/stay-connected/regarder-la-course-49-936

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM

[nanook 1]

I'm not too familiar with when the court systems can intervene with affairs of Yacht Clubs, but why would they use the New York courts? Why can't the Golden Gate Yacht Club contest in their own city?

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"The trouble with quotes on the internet is that you can never know if they are genuine" - Abraham Lincoln

[piisfish 140]

I'm not too sure, but maybe that the NYC Court is depositary of the Deed of Gift or something.

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM

[DJL 235]

I'm conflicted as to whether the Cup should remain as the classic mono-hull or whether it's true advancement of the sport to keep the option open.

"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

[piisfish 140]

the choice apparently, as I understand, belongs to the challenger.

The America Class boats as they were in the 2-3 last editions were beautiful yachts...

Now the mega-multihulls that they came with for this edition are plain incredible. I'd love to see the BOR90 close. Was lucky to see Alinghi V very close, and WAWAWEEWAAAH that thing is sexy.

Bigger monohulls might be the future

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM

[FreeFlyer2100 0]

So I may sound like a moron but I will risk that, when does the race begin? Lots of information on that website but no mention of race dates, WTF???

[nanook 1]

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Now the mega-multihulls that they came with for this edition are plain incredible. I'd love to see the BOR90 close

I saw BOR90 in the bay here in San Diego. It is huge. The top of the mast clears the pilothouse of the Ronald Regan (the largest carrier in the U.S right now)

_____________________________

"The trouble with quotes on the internet is that you can never know if they are genuine" - Abraham Lincoln

[shah269 0]

There is also the issue of power systems.
In the past all functions on the boat were human powered with the exception of the ships clock.
These new super boats need a bit of power to operate the sails as well as to keep the boats in trim on the water.

Life through good thoughts, good words, and good deeds is necessary to ensure happiness and to keep chaos at bay.

The only thing that falls from the sky is birdshit and fools!

[RPC1117 0]

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I'm not too sure, but maybe that the NYC Court is depositary of the Deed of Gift or something.

I think you are on the right track here. When the America (the boat) won the cup originally, they brought the cup back to the NY Yacht Club. It remained there until 1983 when Australia II won it. (I have a cool side story about the boat that Connor should have raced in 1983). The NY Yacht Club kind of set the rules on challenges and defenses when they originally won the cup. I believe this is why they defer to the NY courts b/c it may be in the original rules.

I may be mistaken but over the years there have been some rules set in place over what kind of boat had to be used. But I think that they were more along the lines of a gentleman's agreement. This is why the 12 Meter and IACC boats were used. There is more history about why...but it would take a while.

I'm kind of sorry to see the IACC boats go. They were very technical boats and relied on the skills of the sailors. These larger multi-hulls allow a larger margin of error. I'm also a little surprised to see the BOR boat go with the tri over a cat set up. However, they have a very cool main sail that is actually a 200' hard wing that allows for individual areas to be adjusted based on the wind at different hights.

[Akita 0]

Not to be pedantic, but it's "America's Cup" named for the schooner America.

The technology is very cool, but the race has devolved into a "my billions can buy me better legal whores and a bigger penis substitute than yours," prima donna rich arrogant asshole contest. Let me know when it becomes a contest between sailors on an even playing field and maybe I'll give a shit

[piisfish 140]

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Not to be pedantic, but it's "America's Cup" named for the schooner America.

The technology is very cool, but the race has devolved into a "my billions can buy me better legal whores and a bigger penis substitute than yours," prima donna rich arrogant asshole contest. Let me know when it becomes a contest between sailors on an even playing field and maybe I'll give a shit

I knew that.. and it always has been a BIG MONEY affair.... never was about sailing for/by sailors, but sailing for/by millionaires, and now billionaires....

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM

[piisfish 140]

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So I may sound like a moron but I will risk that, when does the race begin? Lots of information on that website but no mention of race dates, WTF???

first race should be next monday (8th of Feb) , around 10AM C.E.T.

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM

[piisfish 140]

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However, they have a very cool main sail that is actually a 200' hard wing that allows for individual areas to be adjusted based on the wind at different hights.

which is not a sail anymore.. it's a wing.. and the yacht is no longer sloop rigged , as it should be according to its own documentation . But the wing is TOTAL BADASS for sure.

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM

[billvon 3,116]

>which is not a sail anymore.. it's a wing

It's always been a wing. Any sailboat operates by playing two wings against each other, each in a medium moving at a different speed.

[RPC1117 0]

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...and the yacht is no longer sloop rigged , as it should be according to its own documentation . But the wing is TOTAL BADASS for sure.

I'm curious as to why you don't think it is a sloop. The definition that I found, dating back to 1629, makes me believe that BOR is a sloop. "a fore-and-aft rigged boat with one mast and a single jib"
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sloop

Another referance I found stated that the most important factor in determining whether a boat is a sloop or not is the position of the mast.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sloop

And I agree with you...the wing is bad ass.

[nanook 1]

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There is also the issue of power systems.
In the past all functions on the boat were human powered with the exception of the ships clock.
These new super boats need a bit of power to operate the sails as well as to keep the boats in trim on the water.

Makes sense. I would really really hate to be a grinder on something like that.

_____________________________

"The trouble with quotes on the internet is that you can never know if they are genuine" - Abraham Lincoln

[DJL 235]

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There is also the issue of power systems.
In the past all functions on the boat were human powered with the exception of the ships clock.
These new super boats need a bit of power to operate the sails as well as to keep the boats in trim on the water.

Makes sense. I would really really hate to be a grinder on something like that.

That's where I'll draw the line. All steering and sail control has to rely on man-power. Nav and systems is the only thing that can have power.

Put it this way, you could write a program to optimize the sail trim for the wind instead relying on a human to make the call. Next, you optimize the auto-helm. Next, we're running out of reasons why the whole thing can't just be put in the water while everyone stays on shore.

"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

[piisfish 140]

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I'm curious as to why you don't think it is a sloop. The definition that I found, dating back to 1629, makes me believe that BOR is a sloop. "a fore-and-aft rigged boat with one mast and a single jib"
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sloop.

never seen a jib rigged with the rigid wing (which is not a sail, but a wing)

however I do wish that the regattas will be great. My preference would go to Alinghi, but if the BOR wins on the water, that will be great too.

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM

[RPC1117 0]

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There is also the issue of power systems.
In the past all functions on the boat were human powered with the exception of the ships clock.
These new super boats need a bit of power to operate the sails as well as to keep the boats in trim on the water.

Makes sense. I would really really hate to be a grinder on something like that.

Back when I was in high school and college, I worked on the 1983 trial horse, Spirit of America, which had been converted to a passenger boat. It was the ’83 syndicate’s light wind boat, while Liberty was the heavy wind boat. Too bad that wind in ’83 turned out to be light…many sailors at the time said that Spirit would have been a much better match up for Australia II. The boat was then renamed Stars & Stripes and used as one of the trial horses for the ’87 cup (Dennis Connor named all of his ’87 boats Stars & Stripes). After that, the boat was used in the movie “Wind” during the downwind scenes for the 12 meters.

The company that I worked for bought it and did a complete retro-fit on it. Most of the racing rigging was removed; the wing keel was cut off and replaced with a retractable bulb keel; the mast was shortened, and an engine was installed. However, they left the grinders and winches. The grinders were an amazing workout. By the end of the summer I was in awesome shape. We had a few tourists almost pass out after using them. Technique was key as was knowing when to shift gears.

I was very surprised though to see how many hydraulics were used in the boats during their racing days. Most of the sail trim was done via the grinders and winches, but there was a lot of hydraulics used to control rigging, mast bending, and traveler tracks. All in all it was a great job when the wind was up, but sucked when it was 100 degrees out and there was no wind.

[RPC1117 0]

reply]never seen a jib rigged with the rigid wing (which is not a sail, but a wing)

however I do wish that the regattas will be great. My preference would go to Alinghi, but if the BOR wins on the water, that will be great too.

[piisfish 140]

cool thanks for setting that one straight. I had never seen the boat sailed with a jib + the rigid wing. Only the wing by itself. DOGzilla looks beautiful.

The black is impressive
The white is sexy

Soooo excited I'll have to find a way to check videos at the office for monday

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM