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Ellison: ‘This regatta has changed sailing forever’
9/25/2013 Read More

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-18451" alt="AK_AC34SepD24_6437" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/AK_AC34SepD24_6437-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18452" alt="GMR_AC34SepD24_7133" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD24_7133-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18453" alt="GMR_AC34SepD24_7257" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD24_7257-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18454" alt="GMR_AC34SepD24_7849" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD24_7849-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18455" alt="GMR_AC34SepD24_8009" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD24_8009-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18456" alt="25/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA CA) - 34th America's Cup -" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/AK_AC34SepD24_6499-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> ORACLE TEAM USA founder Larry Ellison jumped aboard his sleek and swift AC72 moments after the crew had crossed the finish line of Race 19 of the 34th America’s Cup, a winner-take-all race. “I wanted to let them know they’d just won the America’s Cup,” said Ellison. “And that’s what I told them; that’s what I said.” The victory brought to a close the America’s Cup in San Francisco. The event ended on a high note with the captivating match between ORACLE TEAM USA and Emirates Team New Zealand, one that took 19 races in 19 days to complete. RELATED STORY: <a href="http://www.americascup.com/en/news/3/news/18441/final-preview-barker-vs-spithill-for-winner-take-all-race-at-1315" target="_blank">ORACLE TEAM USA stages massive comeback to win 34th America’s Cup</a> Emirates Team New Zealand jumped out to an 8-1 lead and needed just one win to wrest the Cup back down under, but couldn’t complete the mission. Instead, the Kiwis were foiled for eight consecutive races, made to sit and watch ORACLE TEAM USA slowly and steadily claw back and win eight consecutive races. “Today, the world witnessed the greatest comeback in America’s Cup history by Cup Defender ORACLE TEAM USA. I thank and congratulate the crew on a well-deserved victory and thank ORACLE TEAM USA for bringing the America’s Cup to San Francisco,” said Mayor Ed Lee at the award ceremony. “I also congratulate and thank the 34th America’s Cup challenger Emirates Team New Zealand for the amazing racing on our Bay, and it was a pleasure to host your many fans in our City.” ORACLE TEAM USA’s victory caps an amazing America’s Cup season, one that evolved from the “Summer of Racing” into the “Fall Fisticuffs.” This Cup represented one of the most ambitious undertakings to change the nature of the game, and sitting on the dais this afternoon Ellison seemed pleased by the outcome. “This was the most magnificent spectacle on the water,” Ellison said. “These 40-plus knot catamarans are amazing. By going to catamarans we tried to make sailing a bit more extreme, friendlier for the viewing audience. A lot of people weren’t interested in sailing, and now they are. “This regatta has changed sailing forever. More people watched the first race of this America’s Cup than all of the America’s Cups in history, so I think it’s a success,” Ellison said. The legacy of the America’s Cup on San Francisco Bay is fast boats racing close to shore and taxing the crews to extremes. The sailors’ heart rates were regularly maxed out, and not solely because of the exhilaration afforded by the AC72 wing sail catamaran. They were maxed out because of the physicality required to power the AC72, grinding for 25 to 30 minutes straight to power the hydraulics, to raise and lower the daggerboards, to trim the wing sail and headsails. Beyond the on-water changes were the changes to the television broadcast, the implementation of AC LiveLine, the on-picture graphics package that illustrates who’s ahead and who’s behind, and gave viewers information they never would’ve otherwise understood. A goal was to inspire a new generation of sailors, and Ellison believes the mission was accomplished. “I think about this regatta and what it means to sailing,” said Ellison. “I think it was absolutely spectacular. If a bunch of kids are inspired to go sail, I’m a happy guy.” The spectacle on the water wouldn’t have been possible without Emirates Team New Zealand. Today’s loss clearly stung skipper Dean Barker and managing director Grant Dalton. The two – and everyone associated with the team – poured heart and soul into this effort. Sitting on match point for a week, they needed just one win to spirit the Cup away back down under. It was one win they couldn’t come up with. “They are champion sailors, competitors. They came here to bring the Cup back to New Zealand and boy did they come close. Hats off to them,” said Ellison. For the Kiwis the loss is particularly tough. They lost the 2007 America’s Cup after leading 2-1, and they lost the 2003 Cup in a rout. This was supposed to be the effort that brought the trophy home. The loss wasn’t for lack of effort. They simply were matched against a faster boat. The faster boat always wins the America’s Cup. “We weren’t expecting 9-8, that’s for sure,” said Dalton, the gruff impresario who looked to have a lump in his throat. “We’ve always said the fastest boat would ultimately win through, particularly with the technology race in play here, and that’s what happened.” In the end, it was the upwind speed advantage of ORACLE TEAM USA that made the difference. Through the course of the regatta the defender found a way to improve its speed upwind by 90 seconds, according to Dalton. In the final two races the Kiwis led at the first mark and the leeward gate. At the beginning of the match they converted those leads into wins. But the defender’s AC72 looked particularly impressive when foiling upwind, and that was the difference in the end. “Yesterday was the first time that we felt we had a bit on,” said Barker, who now has an 11-21 record in races for the America’s Cup. “Yesterday in Race 2 we led around the bottom gate and watched Oracle pretty much sail around us and into the distance on the upwind, which had been our strength. Today we went in with the attitude to win the start, lead at the first mark and leeward gate and see what we can do. Today, again, we saw how dominant they’d become upwind. “It’s very difficult to accept, a tough pill to swallow,” Barker said. “I’m incredibly proud of Team New Zealand and what the guys have achieved.” The future of the America’s Cup is still unknown. Ellison said that his team had received the “hip pocket challenge” that is the first step towards the next event. Beyond that, Ellison said an announcement would be made in the near future as to the boat and venue and timing. “We did get a challenge, we have a challenger of record,” said Ellison. “We will be disclosing in the future. We’re all going to sit down and talk about what kind of boats we use going forward.” If the future’s anything like the present, the 35th America’s Cup could be even more spectacular. —Sean McNeill <iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='584' height='359' src='http://www.youtube.com/embed/QHdmviq1kyg?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent' frameborder='0'></iframe>
ORACLE TEAM USA stages massive comeback to win 34th America’s Cup
9/25/2013 Read More

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-18449" alt="_MR_2081" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/MR_2081-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /><img class="aligncenter wp-image-18448" alt="DSC_8470" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/DSC_8470-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /><img class="aligncenter wp-image-18447" alt="_MR_1780" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/MR_1780-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /><img class="aligncenter wp-image-18442" alt="CUP RD 15" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/CUP-RD-15-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> ORACLE TEAM USA won the 34th America’s Cup in a winner-take-all 19th race, defeating challenger Emirates Team New Zealand by 44 seconds in today’s clincher. Led by 35-year-old skipper Jimmy Spithill, ORACLE TEAM USA won by the score of 9-8. This is the second America’s Cup win for ORACLE TEAM USA and Spithill, which won the 162-year-old trophy in Valencia, Spain, in February 2010. Then 30 years of age, Spithill became the youngest to ever skipper a Cup winning team. In the past week ORACLE TEAM USA has steadily improved its boatspeed to the point where it could hydrofoil upwind at 30-32 knots, incredible performance never seen before in the America’s Cup. “It was a fantastic race. We wouldn’t have it any other way,” said Spithill, the two-time Cup winner. “We came from behind, the guys showed so much heart. On your own you’re nothing, but a team like this can make you look great… We were facing the barrel of a gun at 8-1 and the guys didn’t even flinch. “Thanks to San Francisco, this is one hell of a day,” Spithill said. ORACLE TEAM USA’s victory marks one of the most improbable comebacks in the history of sport. The team won 11 races to score the 9 points required for victory due to a penalty imposed by the International Jury. Just last Wednesday, Sept. 18, ORACLE TEAM USA trailed the series 8-1. With the challenger on match point, the defender closed out the series with eight consecutive victories. This was the third time in the history of the America’s Cup with a winner-take-all final race. Previously, the defender won in 1920 and the challenger won in 1983. Both times the winner rallied from a multi-race deficit, but never anything amounting to eight straight wins. “This was a wonderful match of teams,” said Regatta Director Iain Murray, who’s been involved with the America’s Cup since 1983. “In the case of a boat coming from behind, 3-1 down as was the case with Australia II in 83, the shoe is on a different foot this time around. Then it was the challenger behind and this time it was the defender. But in the end we had great competition between two great teams, evenly matched, battling it out to the end.” One million fans visited the official America’s Cup venues at Piers 27/29 and Marina Green since they opened on July 4, and hundreds of thousands more lined the shores of San Francisco Bay to catch a glimpse of the flying, foiling AC72. 34th America’s Cup Standings (first to 9 points wins) <ul> <li>ORACLE TEAM USA – 9 (11 wins; ORACLE TEAM USA was penalized its first two victories by the International Jury)</li> <li>Emirates Team New Zealand – 8</li> </ul> Race 19 Performance Data <ul> <li>Course: 5 Legs/10.07 nautical miles</li> <li>Elapsed Time: OTUSA – 23:24, ETNZ – 24:08</li> <li>Delta: OTUSA +:44</li> <li>Total distance sailed: OTUSA – 11.9 NM, ETNZ – 12.2 NM</li> <li>Average Speed: OTUSA – 30.55 knots (35 mph), ETNZ – 30.55 knots (35 mph)</li> <li>Top Speed: OTUSA – 44.33 knots (51 mph), ETNZ – 45.72 knots (53 mph)</li> <li>Windspeed: Average – 18.2 knots, Peak – 21.3 knots</li> <li>Number of Tacks/Jibes: OTUSA – 9/7, ETNZ – 9/7</li> </ul> 34th America’s Cup Race by Race Race 1 (Sep. 7): Emirates Team New Zealand d. ORACLE TEAM USA by :36 Race 2 (Sep. 7): Emirates Team New Zealand d. ORACLE TEAM USA by :52 Race 3 (Sep. 8): Emirates Team New Zealand d. ORACLE TEAM USA by :28 Race 4 (Sep. 8): ORACLE TEAM USA d. Emirates Team New Zealand by :08* Race 5 (Sep. 10): Emirates Team New Zealand d. ORACLE TEAM USA by 1:05 Race 6 (Sep. 12): Emirates Team New Zealand d. ORACLE TEAM USA by :46 Race 7 (Sep. 12): Emirates Team New Zealand d. ORACLE TEAM USA by 1:06 Race 8 (Sep. 14): ORACLE TEAM USA d. Emirates Team New Zealand by :52* Race 9 (Sep. 15): ORACLE TEAM USA d. Emirates Team New Zealand by :47 Race 10 (Sep. 15): Emirates Team New Zealand d. ORACLE TEAM USA by :16 Race 11 (Sep. 18): Emirates Team New Zealand d. ORACLE TEAM USA by :15 Race 12 (Sep. 19): ORACLE TEAM USA d. Emirates Team New Zealand by :31 Race 13 (Sep. 20): ORACLE TEAM USA d. Emirates Team New Zealand by 1:24 Race 14 (Sep. 22): ORACLE TEAM USA d. Emirates Team New Zealand by :23 Race 15 (Sep. 22): ORACLE TEAM USA d. Emirates Team New Zealand by :37 Race 16 (Sep. 23): ORACLE TEAM USA d. Emirates Team New Zealand by :33 Race 17 (Sep. 24): ORACLE TEAM USA d. Emirates Team New Zealand by :27 Race 18 (Sep. 24): ORACLE TEAM USA d. Emirates Team New Zealand by :54 Race 19 (Sep. 25): ORACLE TEAM USA d. Emirates Team New Zealand by :44 (* ORACLE TEAM USA’s first two victories don’t count towards is scoreline as part of a penalty issued by the International Jury.) UPDATE: 1339 hours ORACLE TEAM USA won the 34th America’s Cup with a 44-second victory over Emirates Team New Zealand in Race 19. UPDATE: 1332 hours Emirates Team New Zealand sailed a solid beat, but couldn’t match the speed of ORACLE TEAM USA. The defender was consistently sailing a faster speed and overtook the Kiwis to lead at the windward gate by 26 seconds. Two legs remain to the finish line of the America’s Cup. UPDATE: 1320 hours With both boats blasting along at 38-40 knots boatspeed, Emirates Team New Zealand kept the lead on the downwind leg. The Kiwis led by 3 seconds at the leeward gate and rounded on port while ORACLE TEAM USA made a late jibe to a starboard rounding. UPDATE: 1316 hours ORACLE TEAM USA and Emirates Team New Zealand both hit the starting line together and onto their hydrofoils. The Kiwis had the leeward position and held it to lead by 7 seconds at the first reach mark. OTUSA dug its hulls in hard and slowed dramatically. UPDATE: 1300 hours The wind on the racecourse is still up against 20 knots, but that’s 4 knots under the 24.4-knot limit for the day. The scheduled 1315 start should be good. UPDATE: 1245 hours The wind strength on the racecourse has increased to 19 to 22 knots and is blowing from 265-270 degrees, farther west than anticipated. UPDATE: 1215 hours With one hour remaining to the race of the century, the wind on the racecourse is ranging from 10 to 18 knots from 255-270 degrees. UPDATE: 1105 hours Although there’s only one race remaining to decide the 34th America’s Cup, it could be touch and go today if it doesn’t start near the scheduled time of 1315. The wind is forecast to be slightly stronger than yesterday, when it was at 20 knots. “I looked out the window an hour ago and I was very concerned. Walking over here to the briefing I was very happy because the breeze had died down,” said Iain Murray, the regatta director. “We are expecting the breeze from southwest around the limit of 24.4 knots at the 1315 start,” Murray continued. “We’re in a similar situation to yesterday. We were right on the wind limit an hour before the start, and then the breeze died 6 knots, we had a great day and got two races in. When we completed on the way home the wind went above the limit. “Today we’re only looking for that half hour window to get through the pre-start and another 18 minutes into the race, around the top mark. I think there’s some confidence we’ll have a nice strong southwesterly breeze and we’ll get away on time.” Emirates Team New Zealand has port tack in the pre-start maneuvers. UPDATE: 0940 hours Today’s winner-take-all final race of the 34th America’s Cup has historical implications for the two skippers, ORACLE TEAM USA’s Jimmy Spithill and Emirates Team New Zealand’s Dean Barker. For Spithill, a win would mean a successful defense after a successful challenge in 2010, when ORACLE TEAM USA won the Cup off Valencia, Spain. Spithill currently holds a 12-8 record as a helmsman in races for the America’s Cup, which ties him with Harold S. “Mike” Vanderbilt for third-most wins on the all-time list. Russell Coutts leads with a 14-0 record and Dennis Conner is second at 13-10 (which doesn’t include his role as starting helmsman for Courageous in its 4-0 sweep of the 1974 America’s Cup). For Barker, this is his fourth America’s Cup Match and third full-time. He debuted to helm the Race 5 clincher in 2000 when Coutts abdicated the helm. He holds an 11-20 record in the America’s Cup Match from 2000, 2003, 2007 and this year. America’s Cup Skippers/Helmsmen All-Time Match Wins 1. Russell Coutts (NZL) – 14-0 (1995, 2000, ’03) 2. Dennis Conner (USA) – 13-10 (17-10 including 1974 role as starting helmsman for Courageous) 3. Jimmy Spithill (AUS) – 12-8 (2010, ’13) 4. Harold S. “Mike” Vanderbilt (USA) – 12-2 (1930, ’34, ’37) 5. Dean Barker (NZL) – 11-20 (2000 (1 race), ’03, ’07, ’13) 6. Charlie Barr (SCO) – 9-0 (1899, 1901, ’03) 7. Emil “Bus” Mosbacher (USA) – 8-1 (1962, ’67) 8. Henry “Hank” Haff (USA) – 5-0 (1887, ’95; also won twice as tactician in 1881, ’86) This is heady company for Spithill and Barker, as they are the only two in the top-eight not inducted to the America’s Cup Hall of Fame. Special thanks to America’s Cup historians Hamish Ross and John Rousmaniere for help with this list. ORACLE TEAM USA Crew List Skipper: Jimmy Spithill (9), Tactician: Ben Ainslie (12), Strategist: Tom Slingsby (10), Wing trimmer: Kyle Langford (8), Jib trimmer: Joe Newton (5), Off-side trimmer: Rome Kirby (4), Grinders: Shannon Falcone (1), Joe Spooner (2), Jono MacBeth (3), Gillo Nobili (6), Simeon Tienpont (7) Emirates Team New Zealand Crew List Skipper/helmsman: Dean Barker (14), Tactician: Ray Davies (10), Wing Trimmer: Glenn Ashby (3), Trimmer: James Dagg (9), Bow: Adam Beashel (2), Pit: Jeremy Lomas (8), Pedestal 1: Chris Ward (7), Pedestal 2: Rob Waddell (11), Pedestal 3: Grant Dalton (6), Pedestal 4: Chris McAsey (5), Float/Grinder: Derek Saward (12) Today in America’s Cup history September 25 is a historical day for defenders, who have won the America’s Cup three times on this date. Will today be the fourth time for the defender? <ul> <li>1887 – George Schuyler, one of the founding members of the syndicate that built the schooner America, issues his judgment over Thistle’s measurement being slightly longer than notified in its challenge documents. Schuyler ordered time allowances be adjusted based on the longer measurement. The larger Volunteer still gave Thistle time. Schuyler acted as the agreed umpire to resolve deputes between the competitors. (See <a href="http://www.americascup.com/en/news/3/news/18416/day-14-preview-on-the-brink-of-history">yesterday’s report</a> for more on this issue.)</li> <li>1934, Race 6, Endeavour vs. Rainbow – Rainbow wins by 55 seconds to win the America’s Cup, 4-2.</li> <li>1958, Race 3, Sceptre vs. Columbia – Columbia wins by 8:20 and gets to match point at 3-0.</li> <li>1962, Race 5, Gretel vs. Weatherly – Weatherly wins by 3:40 to win the America’s Cup, 4-1.</li> <li>1980, Race 5, Australia vs. Freedom – Freedom wins by 3:38 to win the America’s Cup, 4-1.</li> </ul> America’s Cup Park 10:00 am – America’s Cup Park opens, free access to public 11:00 am – AC72s on moorings 11:45 am – Dock-Out Show, Presentation Stage 12:45 pm – Pre-Race Show with Andy Green 1:00 pm – “America’s Cup Race Show” includes live commentary from 1:15pm, until 3:00 1:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 19: ORACLE Team USA vs Emirates Team New Zealand 2:45 pm – America’s Cup Awards Ceremony, Presentation Stage 4:00 pm – Race Replay, North Point & Plaza 6:30 pm – Concert: The Lumineers with Dr. Dog and Nathaniel Rateliff, America’s Cup Pavilion America’s Cup Village 11:00 am – America’s Cup Village opens, free access to public 11:45 am – Dock-Out Show, live from America’s Cup Park (Pier 27/29), on the big screens 12:45 pm – Pre-Race Show, live from the America’s Cup Park, on the big screens 1:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 19: ORACLE Team USA vs Emirates Team New Zealand 2:45 pm – America’s Cup Awards Ceremony, live from America’s Cup Park 4:00 pm – Race Replay, on the big screens ORIGINAL POST: 0655 hours Welcome to Day 19 and Race 19 of the 34th America’s Cup. Defender ORACLE TEAM USA and Challenger Emirates Team New Zealand square off in one winner-take-all race for the 162-year-old trophy. The scheduled start time is 1315. RELATED STORY: <a href="http://www.americascup.com/en/news/3/news/18424/oracle-team-usa-emirates-team-new-zealand-in-winner-take-all-race-for-the-34th-americas-cup" target="_blank">ORACLE TEAM USA, Emirates Team New Zealand in winner-take-all race for 34th America’s Cup</a> Skippers Jimmy Spithill and Dean Barker have been in similar positions before. Spithill became the youngest skipper to win the America’s Cup in 2010 when he was just 30 years old, and Barker was just 27 years old when he skippered the fifth and deciding race of the 2000 America’s Cup. Barker, however, lost the 2003 and 2007 Cups as skipper of Team New Zealand. The stakes today are quite possibly higher than any match race the two have contested against each other. Only twice before in the history of the America’s Cup has there been a winner-take-all race. In 1920 the defender Resolute defeated challenger Shamrock IV to win the match 3-2. In 1983 challenger Australia II defeated defender Liberty to win the match 4-3 (coincidentally, the 30-year anniversary of that win is tomorrow, Sept. 26). Whoever wins today’s race will go down in the history books along with perhaps the most historic match of all time: The 34th America’s Cup is the longest match in the history of the event at 19 days; four of the races rank in the top 10 for all-time closest finishes; the America’s Cup outright speed record of 47.57 knots (55 mph or 80 feet/second) was set by Emirates Team New Zealand. Unfortunately for the Kiwis, that speed record wasn’t set upwind. That point of sail is now the domain of ORACLE TEAM USA, and it may well prove the difference in this America’s Cup. ORACLE TEAM USA’s AC72 looks most unbeatable when it’s foiling upwind, and that was the difference maker in yesterday’s second race. The Kiwis led by 7 seconds around the leeward gate, but moments later was overtaken by the defender, which closed in at 30 knots on its hydrofoils and took the lead away. “That was the first time that we recognized there was a condition where maybe we aren’t as strong as we need to be,” said Barker. “It’s tough. We’re doing all we can, the guys never gave up, but clearly the Oracle guys were going well in that stuff.” ORACLE TEAM USA deserves props for fighting back from off the mat. Emirates Team New Zealand deserves props for setting the standard by which to be measured. Whoever wins today’s race will be a worthy champion in America’s Cup annals. 34th America’s Cup Standings (first to 9 points wins) <ul> <li>ORACLE TEAM USA – 8 (10 wins; ORACLE TEAM USA was penalized its first two victories by the International Jury)</li> <li>Emirates Team New Zealand – 8</li> </ul> 34th America’s Cup Race by Race Race 1 (Sep. 7): Emirates Team New Zealand d. ORACLE TEAM USA by :36 Race 2 (Sep. 7): Emirates Team New Zealand d. ORACLE TEAM USA by :52 Race 3 (Sep. 8): Emirates Team New Zealand d. ORACLE TEAM USA by :28 Race 4 (Sep. 8): ORACLE TEAM USA d. Emirates Team New Zealand by :08* Race 5 (Sep. 10): Emirates Team New Zealand d. ORACLE TEAM USA by 1:05 Race 6 (Sep. 12): Emirates Team New Zealand d. ORACLE TEAM USA by :46 Race 7 (Sep. 12): Emirates Team New Zealand d. ORACLE TEAM USA by 1:06 Race 8 (Sep. 14): ORACLE TEAM USA d. Emirates Team New Zealand by :52* Race 9 (Sep. 15): ORACLE TEAM USA d. Emirates Team New Zealand by :47 Race 10 (Sep. 15): Emirates Team New Zealand d. ORACLE TEAM USA by :16 Race 11 (Sep. 18): Emirates Team New Zealand d. ORACLE TEAM USA by :15 Race 12 (Sep. 19): ORACLE TEAM USA d. Emirates Team New Zealand by :31 Race 13 (Sep. 20): ORACLE TEAM USA d. Emirates Team New Zealand by 1:24 Race 14 (Sep. 22): ORACLE TEAM USA d. Emirates Team New Zealand by :23 Race 15 (Sep. 22): ORACLE TEAM USA d. Emirates Team New Zealand by :37 Race 16 (Sep. 23): ORACLE TEAM USA d. Emirates Team New Zealand by :33 Race 17 (Sep. 24): ORACLE TEAM USA d. Emirates Team New Zealand by :33 Race 18 (Sep. 24): ORACLE TEAM USA d. Emirates Team New Zealand by :54 (* ORACLE TEAM USA’s first two victories didn’t count towards is scoreline as part of a penalty issued by the International Jury.) <iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='584' height='359' src='http://www.youtube.com/embed/pg_Ah_wuxKU?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent' frameborder='0'></iframe>
ORACLE TEAM USA, Emirates Team New Zealand in winner-take-all race for the 34th America’s Cup
9/24/2013 Read More

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-18425" alt="GMR_AC34SepD23_6165" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD23_6165-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18426" alt="GMR_AC34SepD23_6501" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD23_6501-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18427" alt="GMR_AC34SepD23_6428" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD23_6428-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18428" alt="GMR_AC34SepD23_6442" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD23_6442-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18429" alt="GMR_AC34SepD23_6461" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD23_6461-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18430" alt="GMR_AC34SepD23_6559" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD23_6559-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18431" alt="GMR_AC34SepD23_6515" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD23_6515-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18432" alt="GMR_AC34SepD23_6154" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD23_6154-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18433" alt="GMR_AC34SepD23_6304" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD23_6304-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18434" alt="GMR_AC34SepD23_6295" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD23_6295-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18435" alt="GMR_AC34SepD23_6377" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD23_6377-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18436" alt="GMR_AC34SepD23_6411" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD23_6411-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18437" alt="GMR_AC34SepD23_6399" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD23_6399-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18438" alt="GMR_AC34SepD23_6343" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD23_6343-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18439" alt="GMR_AC34SepD23_6650" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD23_6650-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> After staging an improbable comeback from 7 points behind and with no margin for error, ORACLE TEAM USA has forced a winner-take-all race tomorrow for the 34th America’s Cup after sweeping both races today. ORACLE TEAM USA won Race 17 by 27 seconds and Race 18 by 54 seconds and now stands even with Emirates Team New Zealand on the scoreboard with 8 points each. Only twice before in the 162-year history of the America’s Cup has there been a winner-take-all final race, in 1920 and 1983. In 1920 the defender won and in ’83 the challenger won. The Kiwis have been on match point since last Wednesday, Sept. 18, but now face the possibility of watching the defender stage perhaps the most historic comeback in sport. Already ORACLE TEAM USA has won 10 races, but has 8 points because of a penalty imposed by the International Jury. “We do believe we can win, we’ve known we can win this thing for a long time,” said Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker. “It’s one thing to talk about it and another thing to do it. We have to do everything right and sail as well as we can. We’re going to prepare as we have been and we have confidence we can win this. No one’s slightly head down or lacking in confidence. We know if we put the pieces together we’ll be successful.” ORACLE TEAM USA has been staring down the barrel of defeat with the slightest of slipups for the past week. Skipper Jimmy Spithill has played the underdog role since the Kiwis got to match point, and he’s still playing that theme in the hopes of a successful defense. “I think we are the underdog, and I’m going to keep running with that and use that energy for tomorrow,” said Spithill, who at 30 years old in 2010 became the youngest to skipper an America’s Cup winner. “The exciting thing for me is seeing how this team has gelled together. Sometimes you need to face that barrel of the gun to come together. You can get wobbly in the knees or you can look into the barrel. Every day we’ve managed to step it up more.” The Kiwis let a great opportunity at victory slip through their hands in Race 18. Barker fended off Spithill in the prestart, gaining a leeward position off the start line, and led at the first turning mark by 5 seconds with both boats blasting along on the verge of control. In fact, Emirates Team New Zealand set the outright speed record for the Summer of Racing at 47.57 knots (55 mph, 88 kph, 80 feet/second) at the mark rounding. Barker increased his lead to 7 seconds at the leeward gate, but on the upwind leg ORACLE TEAM USA showed the blazing speed that makes it look at times unbeatable. Spithill guided his AC72 onto its hydrofoils and sailed over the top of the Kiwis and into the lead. Once in the lead the defender sped away, foiling at more than 30 knots, and turned the 7-second deficit into a 49-second lead at the windward gate, averaging more than 1 knot faster on the 3-nautical-mile upwind leg. “It’s clear to see they were going pretty damn well,” said Barker. “It was the first time that we recognized there was a condition where maybe we aren’t as strong as we need to be. It’s tough. We’re doing all we can, the guys never gave up, but clearly the Oracle guys were going well in that stuff.” It was Spithill who got the better of Barker in Race 17. Spithill got a late hook on Barker and luffed his competitor. Barker was required to keep clear but the two yachts collided three times, with ORACLE TEAM USA’s starboard hull bouncing off of Emirates Team New Zealand’s port hull. The umpires penalized Emirates Team New Zealand twice, which allowed the defender to open a lead it would not relinquish. “We saw an opportunity there at the start and it was great to be able to put it together,” said Spithill. “It was a really physical race and the boys really dug in.” “That start was an absolute shocker,” said Barker. “We tried to mix it up a bit but really put ourselves in a bad, bad spot. We tried to bring them down the line, but we were just way too early; 40 seconds before the start we knew we had a bit on.” Race 19, the race of the 21st century, is scheduled to start tomorrow at 1:15 p.m. PT. In the U.S., the America’s Cup Finals will be broadcast live on the NBC Sports Network. Replays will be available on the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/americascup" target="_blank">America’s Cup YouTube channel</a>. Internationally, the America’s Cup Final can be viewed in more than 170 territories. All racing is also live on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/americascup" target="_blank">America’s Cup YouTube channel</a> (subject to territorial restrictions). You can also follow racing with America’s Cup App for android and iOS devices. —Sean McNeill 34th America’s Cup Standings (first to 9 points wins) <ul> <li>ORACLE TEAM USA – 8 (10 wins; ORACLE TEAM USA was penalized its first two victories by the International Jury)</li> <li>Emirates Team New Zealand – 8</li> </ul> Race 17 Performance Data <ul> <li>Course: 5 Legs/10.11 nautical miles</li> <li>Elapsed Time: OTUSA – 24:04, ETNZ – 24:31</li> <li>Delta: OTUSA +:27</li> <li>Total distance sailed: OTUSA – 11.8 NM, ETNZ – 11.6 NM</li> <li>Average Speed: OTUSA – 29.62 knots (34 mph), ETNZ – 28.63 knots (33 mph)</li> <li>Top Speed: OTUSA – 44.02 knots (51 mph), ETNZ – 46.33 knots (53 mph)</li> <li>Windspeed: Average – 16.8 knots, Peak – 20.0 knots</li> <li>Number of Tacks/Jibes: OTUSA – 8/6, ETNZ – 7/5</li> </ul> Race 18 Performance Data <ul> <li>Course: 5 Legs/10.11 nautical miles</li> <li>Elapsed Time: OTUSA – 22:01, ETNZ – 22:55</li> <li>Delta: OTUSA +:54</li> <li> Total distance sailed: OTUSA – 11.7 NM, ETNZ – 11.9 NM</li> <li>Average Speed: OTUSA – 31.92 knots (37 mph), ETNZ – 31.23 knots (36 mph)</li> <li>Top Speed: OTUSA – 45.79 knots (53 mph), ETNZ – 47.57 knots (55 mph)</li> <li>Windspeed: Average – 19.3 knots, Peak – 21.8 knots</li> <li>Number of Tacks/Jibes: OTUSA – 7/7, ETNZ – 10/6</li> </ul> <iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='584' height='359' src='http://www.youtube.com/embed/x_q1Tfb7maQ?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent' frameborder='0'></iframe>
Day 14 racing blog
9/24/2013 Read More

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-18423" alt="AK1_3381" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/AK1_3381-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /><img class="aligncenter wp-image-18422" alt="_MR_1050" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/MR_1050-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /><img class="aligncenter wp-image-18417" alt="GMR_AC34SepD22_5685" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD22_5685-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> UPDATE: 1444 hours ORACLE TEAM USA has forced a winner-take-all final race for the 34th America’s Cup after posting a come-from-behind win in Race 18. Kiwi skipper Dean Barker started the race to leeward of rival Jimmy Spithill and held the lead around the first turning mark. The Kiwis kept the lead by 7 seconds at the leeward gate but ORACLE TEAM USA has speed to burn on the upwind legs and simply sailed past the Kiwis. ORACLE TEAM USA led by 57 seconds at the windward gate beginning the penultimate leg and finished with a 54-second advantage. Tomorrow’s Race 19 is scheduled to start at 1:15 p.m. PT and the winner will win the 34th America’s Cup. 34th America’s Cup Standings (first to 9 points wins) <ul> <li>ORACLE TEAM USA – 8 (10 wins; ORACLE TEAM USA was penalized its first two victories by the International Jury)</li> <li>Emirates Team New Zealand – 8</li> </ul> Race 18 Performance Data <ul> <li>Course: 5 Legs/10.11 nautical miles</li> <li>Elapsed Time: OTUSA – 22:01, ETNZ – 22:55</li> <li>Delta: OTUSA +:54</li> <li> Total distance sailed: OTUSA – 11.7 NM, ETNZ – 11.9 NM</li> <li>Average Speed: OTUSA – 31.92 knots (37 mph), ETNZ – 31.23 knots (36 mph)</li> <li>Top Speed: OTUSA – 45.79 knots (53 mph), ETNZ – 47.57 knots (55 mph)</li> <li>Windspeed: Average – 19.3 knots, Peak – 21.8 knots</li> <li>Number of Tacks/Jibes: OTUSA – 7/7, ETNZ – 10/6</li> </ul> UPDATE: 1431 hours ORACLE TEAM USA attacked Emirates Team New Zealand early on the upwind leg and gained the lead the first time the two crews met. Emirates Team New Zealand held starboard and ORACLE TEAM USA port. The Kiwis went for a leebow tack and ORACLE TEAM USA popped up onto its hydrofoils and sailed over the top of the Kiwis. ORACLE TEAM USA then sped away to lead by 57 seconds at the windward gate. UPDATE: 1420 hours Emirates Team New Zealand and ORACLE TEAM USA were blazing down the run at 40 knots with the water of San Francisco Bay slicing off the daggerboards, but the Kiwis were able to keep ahead at the leeward gate. The Kiwis got around the leeward gate on port tack and started heading towards the cone of Alcatraz Island while ORACLEE TEAM USA went around on starboard, 7 seconds behind. UPDATE: 1416 hours ORACLE TEAM USA and Emirates Team New Zealand came off the starting line nearly even and engaged in a bow-to-bow drag race on the reaching leg. The Kiwis kept their leeward position to lead by 5 seconds at the reach mark. The two crews are pushing hard in 20-knot winds and 40-knot boatspeeds. UPDATE: 1400 hours With approximately 15 minutes to the start of Race 18 the wind is blowing 20-22 knots from about 255 degrees. The wind limit for this race is 24.1 knots. There’s been a change to the Emirates Team New Zealand crew list with Winston MacFarlane stepping in for Grant Dalton on Pedestal 3. ORACLE TEAM USA Crew List Skipper: Jimmy Spithill (9), Tactician: Ben Ainslie (12), Strategist: Tom Slingsby (10), Wing trimmer: Kyle Langford (8), Jib trimmer: Joe Newton (5), Off-side trimmer: Rome Kirby (4), Grinders: Shannon Falcone (1), Joe Spooner (2), Jono MacBeth (3), Gillo Nobili (6), Simeon Tienpont (7) Emirates Team New Zealand Crew List Skipper/helmsman: Dean Barker (14), Tactician: Ray Davies (10), Wing Trimmer: Glenn Ashby (3), Trimmer: James Dagg (9), Bow: Adam Beashel (2), Pit: Jeremy Lomas (8), Pedestal 1: Chris Ward (7), Pedestal 2: Rob Waddell (11), Pedestal 3: Winston MacFarlane (4), Pedestal 4: Chris McAsey (5), Float/Grinder: Derek Saward (12) UPDATE: 1345 hours ORACLE TEAM USA scored its sixth consecutive win in Race 17 of the 34th America’s Cup and lies within one point of Emirates Team New Zealand. The Kiwis have needed just one win to capture the America’s Cup after moving opening a lead of 8-1 last Wednesday, and now lead the series 8-7. The Kiwis were put on the back foot early in Race 17 when ORACLE TEAM USA skipper Jimmy Spithill got a late leeward hook in the prestart, which forced Emirates Team New Zealand’s Dean Barker to stay clear. But the boats collided twice, with ORACLE TEAM USA’s starboard hull hitting Emirates Team New Zealand’s port hull, and the Kiwis were penalized twice for failing to keep clear. Race 18 of the series is scheduled to start this afternoon at 2:15 p.m. PT. 34th America’s Cup Standings (first to 9 points wins) <ul> <li>Emirates Team New Zealand – 8</li> <li>ORACLE TEAM USA – 7</li> </ul> Race 17 Performance Data <ul> <li>Course: 5 Legs/10.11 nautical miles</li> <li>Elapsed Time: OTUSA – 24:04, ETNZ – 24:31</li> <li>Delta: OTUSA +:27</li> <li>Total distance sailed: OTUSA – 11.8 NM, ETNZ – 11.6 NM</li> <li>Average Speed: OTUSA – 29.62 knots (34 mph), ETNZ – 28.63 knots (33 mph)</li> <li>Top Speed: OTUSA – 44.02 knots (51 mph), ETNZ – 46.33 knots (53 mph)</li> <li>Windspeed: Average – 16.8 knots, Peak – 20.0 knots</li> <li>Number of Tacks/Jibes: OTUSA – 8/6, ETNZ – 7/5</li> </ul> UPDATE: 1333 hours ORACLE TEAM USA held its lead ont eh upwind leg although Emirates Team New Zealand gained 10 seconds on the 3-nautical-mile leg to trail by 19 seconds at the windward gate. Both crews were foiling upwind at 26-30 knots boatspeed, and took off on the run at 35-40 knots. UPDATE: 1321 hours ORACLE TEAM US has taken its early advantage in Race 17 and stretched it to a lead of 29 seconds at the leeward gate. The Kiwis were penalized twice in the prestart, both times for not keeping clear as windward boat. The wind is blowing 17 knots from 247 degrees. UPDATE: 1316 hours ORACLE TEAM USA got a late hook with about 5 seconds to the start and drew a penalty on Emirates Team New Zealand for windward-leeward. ORACLE TEAM USA pulled its bows down and sped away to the first mark, where it led by 17 seconds. UPDATE: 1305 hours Ten minutes to the start of Race 17 and the wind is down to 14-16 knots and has backed to 240 degrees. UPDATE: 1245 hours With 30 minutes to the start of Race 17, the wind is blowing 22 knots from 266 degrees. UPDATE: 1215 hours One hour to the start of Race 17 and the wind is up above 20 knots on the racecourse. The wind was blowing 19-22 knots from 255-260 degrees. The wind limit for this race is 24.7 knots. UPDATE: 1118 hours The past three days in San Francisco have featured winds too unstable for racing, fresh winds for two races on Sunday, and one race yesterday in winds that were too light to complete two races. Today, it’s yet another scenario with the wind forecast to gust to 25 knots or stronger. “We’re back more to the San Francisco that we all expected, a building southwest breeze,” said Regatta Director Iain Murray. “Already there’s 15-16 knots on the racecourse, so the breeze has signaled its intentions early. We’re expecting it to keep building through the day. “We have strong limits today, 24.7 knots for Race 1 and 24.1 knots for Race 2, so lots of current assist,” Murray continued. “We’re concerned about getting the second race away because of the wind limit. There’s a lot of wind forecast.” Race 17 is scheduled to start at 1315 and Race 18 at 1415. ORACLE TEAM USA will have port tack in the first prestart start and Emirates Team New Zealand in the second. UPDATE: 0925 hours Today’s crew lists feature the return of Grant Dalton on Pedestal 3 for Emirates Team New Zealand. ORACLE TEAM USA Crew List Skipper: Jimmy Spithill (9), Tactician: Ben Ainslie (12), Strategist: Tom Slingsby (10), Wing trimmer: Kyle Langford (8), Jib trimmer: Joe Newton (5), Off-side trimmer: Rome Kirby (4), Grinders: Shannon Falcone (1), Joe Spooner (2), Jono MacBeth (3), Gillo Nobili (6), Simeon Tienpont (7) Emirates Team New Zealand Crew List Skipper/helmsman: Dean Barker (14), Tactician: Ray Davies (10), Wing Trimmer: Glenn Ashby (3), Trimmer: James Dagg (9), Bow: Adam Beashel (2), Pit: Jeremy Lomas (8), Pedestal 1: Chris Ward (7), Pedestal 2: Rob Waddell (11), Pedestal 3: Grant Dalton (6), Pedestal 4: Chris McAsey (5), Float/Grinder: Derek Saward (12) Today in America’s Cup history September 24 is noted in particular for close matches in 1934 and 1983. <ul> <li>1885: Challenger Sir Richard Sutton is elected an honorary member of the New York Yacht Club. Rated as the best sportsman in the history of the Cup, Sutton refused an offer of a race win by the NYYC Committee after the defender yacht Puritan struck challenger Genesta during the pre-start of the first race. Sutton told them, “I did not come here to take a race under such conditions” (which was reported in the press as “We want a race, not walk over”), and with those words immortalized himself in the history of the Cup, and in the hearts of his American hosts.</li> <li>1934, Race 5, Endeavour vs. Rainbow – Rainbow wins by 4:01 to get to match point at 3-2 after the challenger led the series 2-0. The fifth race was held in a fresh NE wind on a windward-leeward course. Rainbow’s downwind performance had lifted with improvements made during the series so that Endeavour lost its initial dominance. Rainbow had added additional ballast and took on board Yankee’s spinnaker and sail trimmer Frank Paine. Poor sail handling at the start cost Endeavour the lead. Even a torn spinnaker and a man overboard on Rainbow (but quickly recovered without need to go about), did not lose Rainbow the lead, and her win put her on match point.</li> <li>1958, Race 2, Sceptre v. Columbia – Columbia wins by 11:42 to go two races up. The second race was held in a steady 10-knot breeze. Columbia appeared to not to contest the start too closely, preferring to rely on her obvious speed advantage and leaving Sceptre to win the start. Columbia sailed past Sceptre to windward and rounded the first mark 3 minutes, 3 seconds ahead, and she continued to build on her advantage to win by a large margin and crush what hope remained for Sceptre. The emphatic win was reminiscent of the legendary Ranger’s dominance in the prior match, before World War II interrupted racing for 21 years.</li> <li>1970, Race 4, Gretel II vs. Intrepid – Gretel II wins by 1:02 with Intrepid on match point at 3-1. Held in light conditions Intrepid failed to cover Gretel II when the Australian crew jibed away on the last leg. After the Intrepid realized its mistake it was too late and Gretel II was ahead and took its first official victory after its earlier victory was lost due to a successful protest.</li> <li>1983, Race 7, Australia II vs. Liberty – No winner: The historic seventh race is abandoned after two attempts due to light winds. Liberty had been on match point at 3-1 since Sept. 20 and needed only one more race win the Cup match. Australia II managed to claw its way back and into history winning the next three races, interspersed with delays due to lay days and light winds.</li> </ul> America’s Cup Park 10:00 am – America’s Cup Park opens, free access to public 11:00 am – AC72s on moorings 11:45 am – Dock-Out Show, Presentation Stage 12:45 pm – Pre-Race Show with Andy Green 1:00 pm – “America’s Cup Race Show” includes live commentary from 1:15pm, until 3:00 1:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 17: ORACLE Team USA vs. Emirates Team New Zealand 2:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 18*: ORACLE Team USA vs. Emirates Team New Zealand 3.15 pm – Poster Signing with team representatives from ORACLE Team USA 4:00 pm – Poster Signing with team representatives from Emirates Team New Zealand 4:00 pm – Race Replay, North Point & Plaza America’s Cup Village 11:00 am – America’s Cup Village opens 11:45 am – Dock-Out Show live from America’s Cup Park (Pier 27/29) – on the big screens 12:45 pm – Pre-Race Show live from the America’s Cup Park – on the big screens 1:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 17: ORACLE Team USA vs Emirates Team New Zealand 2:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 18*: ORACLE Team USA vs Emirates Team New Zealand 2:50 pm – Post-Race Show – on the big screens 4:00 pm – Race Replay – on the big screens (* If necessary) ORIGINAL POST: 0655 hours As this America’s Cup Final makes a case for being remembered as the hardest fought in history, some context is needed. The 1983 match is generally remembered as the best in the 162-year story of the America’s Cup. Certainly in the modern era of the Cup, it’s hard to argue the point. Dennis Conner’s Liberty held a 3-1 lead over Australia II, with the Australians generally acknowledged as having the faster boat. Conner had a series lead, as well as a lead in the final race. But he couldn’t stem the tide. He couldn’t hold off the faster boat, and Australia II became the first team in history to beat the Americans in 132 years of America’s Cup racing. Are we seeing something similar playing out this week? On September 18, less than one week ago, Emirates Team New Zealand went to match point, leading 8-1 on the leaderboard and 8-3 in race wins. This morning the score line is 8-6, and it’s 8-8 in race victories. But the comeback isn’t complete. As Kiwi skipper Dean Barker said last night, “We wouldn’t want to trade places.” The problem for Barker? He wouldn’t get ORACLE TEAM USA’s Jimmy Spithill to trade places anyway. The combative Spithill is very happy with his team, his boat, and their performance. Down 8-1, he said he wanted to be part of the team that made the biggest comeback in sports. He’s more than halfway there. And he’s already changed the question people are asking. It’s no longer, “When will the Kiwis seal the deal?” It’s, “Can ORACLE TEAM USA continue this magical run?” That’s not to say Emirates Team New Zealand is out of it. Not by a long shot. They need one win, one lousy win, before the Americans win three. Can they do it? Their first chance comes today. Racing starts at 1:15pm PT with a forecast for strong conditions, in the 17-20 knot range. Whoever wins today, whoever wins this match, it has already taken its place among the best in the long history of the Cup. If we’re still racing tomorrow it might just be right at the very top. <iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='584' height='359' src='http://www.youtube.com/embed/gZUsoHFFc1Y?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent' frameborder='0'></iframe>
ORACLE TEAM USA takes another step towards defending
9/23/2013 Read More

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-18400" alt="AK_AC34SepD22_3395" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/AK_AC34SepD22_3395-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18401" alt="GMR_AC34SepD22_5749" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD22_5749-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18402" alt="GMR_AC34SepD22_5623" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD22_5623-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18403" alt="GMR_AC34SepD22_5639" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD22_5639-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18404" alt="GMR_AC34SepD22_5647" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD22_5647-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18405" alt="GMR_AC34SepD22_5672" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD22_5672-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18406" alt="GMR_AC34SepD22_5702" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD22_5702-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18407" alt="GMR_AC34SepD22_5779" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD22_5779-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18408" alt="GMR_AC34SepD22_5763" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD22_5763-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18409" alt="GMR_AC34SepD22_5827" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD22_5827-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18410" alt="GMR_AC34SepD22_5795" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD22_5795-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18411" alt="GMR_AC34SepD22_5834" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD22_5834-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18412" alt="GMR_AC34SepD22_5857" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD22_5857-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18413" alt="GMR_AC34SepD22_5861" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD22_5861-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18414" alt="GMR_AC34SepD22_5918" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD22_5918-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /> ORACLE TEAM USA’s improbable comeback is alive and well in the 34th America’s Cup. Skipper Jimmy Spithill led the defender to another wire-to-wire victory in Race 16 and now needs just three more victories to successfully defend the America’s Cup. Challenger Emirates Team New Zealand finished 33 seconds in arrears, but still leads on the scoreboard 8-6 (the series is tied 8-8 in victories, but the defender was penalized its first two victories by the International Jury). The Kiwis need one victory to win the America’s Cup. A maximum of three races remains in the series, scheduled tomorrow and Wednesday. “We’ve got a huge wave of momentum. The boat’s just going fantastic,” said Spithill. “That was a tough start, we had starboard entry and it was a tough time.” If ORACLE TEAM USA has a wave of momentum, Emirates Team New Zealand still believes it can win the series. The crew sailed a solid race today, but skipper Dean Barker chocked up the loss to a flawless performance from the defender. “We’re very upbeat here, we know we can win,” said Barker. “The Oracle guys sailed a pretty flawless race. There were no opportunities to get back in it. We did a better job on the downwind legs staying close, but not enough today.” The wind blew soft at the start, around 10 knots, and made for docile action in the prestart. When the start signal fired ORACLE TEAM USA and Emirates Team New Zealand traded positions from the past few days, with the defender to windward of the challenger. “The plan was to start to leeward of Oracle and they did a nice job of getting us compressed to the leeward end,” said Ray Davies, Emirates Team New Zealand tactician. “They jumped us pretty quickly, it was evident about 15 seconds after the start they were very strong. The outcome wasn’t ideal, but we were happy to have been to leeward of them, just needed it to be a little bit better shape than it ended up being.” In an impressive display of boatspeed, ORACLE TEAM USA quickly jumped onto its hydrofoils and sped over the top of the Kiwis to lead at the first mark by 5 seconds. “Philippe (Presti, coach) and I have been working hard at night trying to figure a couple of plays, and that was Philippe’s idea, it worked nicely,” said Spithill. Emirates Team New Zealand remained aggressive through the race, tacking and jibing a total of 20 times in the hopes of a foul-up by the defender, but it never happened as ORACLE TEAM USA matched every move and gained time on all five legs of the racecourse. “The AC72 is completely unique,” said Ben Ainslie, ORACLE TEAM USA tactician. “On the downwind legs the boat ahead a lot of times has the advantage in terms of controlling the opposition and the bad air, and tacking with these boats is a lot harder to keep a cover if they do a good job splitting tacks. It’s very exciting.” ORACLE TEAM USA has now won seven of the past nine races, including five consecutive victories to tie the longest consecutive unbeaten streak in the modern era. Team New Zealand won the 1995 and 2000 matches each by scores of 5-0, and Alinghi won the 2003 match by a score of 5-0. In the history of the Cup, the New York Yacht Club won 25 consecutive races over a string of 10 matches between 1876 and 1903. Races 17 and 18 are slated for tomorrow, scheduled to start at 1:15 and 2:15 p.m. PT. In the U.S., the America’s Cup Finals will be broadcast live on the NBC Sports Network. Replays will be available on the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/americascup" target="_blank">America’s Cup YouTube channel</a>. Internationally, the America’s Cup Final can be viewed in more than 170 territories. All racing is also live on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/americascup" target="_blank">America’s Cup YouTube channel</a> (subject to territorial restrictions). You can also follow racing with America’s Cup App for android and iOS devices. —Sean McNeill 34th America’s Cup Standings (first to 9 points wins) <ul> <li>Emirates Team New Zealand – 8</li> <li>ORACLE TEAM USA – 6</li> </ul> Race 16 Performance Data <ul> <li>Course: 5 Legs/10.21 nautical miles</li> <li>Elapsed Time: OTUSA – 30:43, ETNZ – 31:16</li> <li>Delta: OTUSA +:33</li> <li>Total distance sailed: OTUSA – 11.8 NM, ETNZ – 11.7 NM</li> <li>Average Speed: OTUSA – 23.21 knots (27 mph), ETNZ – 22.46 knots (26 mph)</li> <li>Top Speed: OTUSA – 38.05 knots (44 mph), ETNZ – 36.61 knots (42 mph)</li> <li>Windspeed: Average – 12.0 knots, Peak – 14.1 knots</li> <li>Number of Tacks/Jibes: OTUSA – 10/10, ETNZ – 10/10</li> </ul> <iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='584' height='359' src='http://www.youtube.com/embed/raqkkPMrkYU?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent' frameborder='0'></iframe>
Day 13 racing blog
9/23/2013 Read More

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-18396" alt="_MR_0721" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/MR_0721-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /><img class="aligncenter wp-image-18393" alt="_MR_0471" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/MR_0471-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /><img class="aligncenter wp-image-18392" alt="GMR_AC34SepD21_4766_1" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD21_4766_1-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /><img class="aligncenter wp-image-18388" alt="GB_AC34_SepD21_3956" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GB_AC34_SepD21_3956-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> UPDATE: 1428 hours 34th America’s Cup Standings (first to 9 points wins) <ul> <li>Emirates Team New Zealand – 8</li> <li>ORACLE TEAM USA – 6</li> </ul> Race 16 Performance Data <ul> <li>Course: 5 Legs/10.21 nautical miles</li> <li>Elapsed Time: OTUSA – 30:43, ETNZ – 31:16</li> <li>Delta: OTUSA +:33</li> <li>Total distance sailed: OTUSA – 11.8 NM, ETNZ – 11.7 NM</li> <li>Average Speed: OTUSA – 23.21 knots (27 mph), ETNZ – 22.46 knots (26 mph)</li> <li>Top Speed: OTUSA – 38.05 knots (44 mph), ETNZ – 36.61 knots (42 mph)</li> <li>Windspeed: Average – 12.0 knots, Peak – 14.1 knots</li> <li>Number of Tacks/Jibes: OTUSA – 10/10, ETNZ – 10/10</li> </ul> UPDATE: 1420 hours ORACLE TEAM USA’s improbable comeback is alive and well in the 34th America’s Cup. Skipper Jimmy Spithill led the defender to another wire-to-wire victory in Race 16 and now needs just three move victories to successfully defend the America’s Cup. Challenger Emirates Team New Zealand finished 33 seconds in arrears, but still leads on the scoreboard 8-6. The Kiwis need one victory to win the America’s Cup. Race 17, originally scheduled for this afternoon, will not be sailed due to the 1440 cutoff time for racing. It is rescheduled to tomorrow, at 1315, with Race 18 scheduled for 1415. UPDATE: 1408 hours Emirates Team New Zealand hung with ORACLE TEAM USA on the upwind leg but the defender increased its lead to 19 seconds beginning the penultimate leg to the finish. UPDATE: 1353 hours Emirates Team New Zealand dropped more than 200 meters behind early on the downwind leg but made gains on the second half of the leg to close within less than 100 meters. At the leeward gate ORACLE TEAM USA led by 13 seconds and rounded the gate on port while Emirates Team New Zealand rounded on starboard. UPDATE: 1346 hours Emirates Team New Zealand got the leeward position on the start line but ORACLE TEAM USA got onto its foils and sailed over the top of the Kiwis to lead by 5 seconds at the reach mark. Emirates Team New Zealand had its Code 0 gennaker hoisted but not unfurled which might’ve hurt its chances to get foilborne. UPDATE: 1335 hours The wind is averaging around 11 knots with a peak gust of 13 knots from 260 degrees; looks like good conditions for a start at 1345. UPDATE: 1305 hours The start of Race 16 has been delayed another 15 minutes, to 1345, the wind is up to 8 knots at the top of the racecourse but only 3-5 knots at the bottom. Looking like there’ll be only one race today. UPDATE: 1255 hours The start of Race 16 has been pushed back to 1330 as the race committee waits for the wind strength to increase. The wind is blowing around 10 knots from 260 degrees near the start line, but at the bottom of the course it’s blowing only 5 knots. UPDATE: 1235 hours The wind is hovering around 9 knots from approximately 255 degrees. That’s enough wind to start a race according to the wind limits, but in practicality might be too light. We’ll have to wait and see what the race committee decides approaching the 1315 start time of Race 16. UPDATE: 1116 hours It’s a gorgeous morning in San Francisco, perhaps a bit too gorgeous. “You’ve all been outside and noticed the wind coming from the east. That’s not a good start,” said Regatta Director Iain Murray at his morning briefing. “The forecast is essentially light and variable, magnificent for water skiing. We expect the wind to come from the southwest, it’s a matter of when it happens. “We’ve got varying forecasts,” Murray said. “The lower end is 9-10 knots at the start up to 14 knots at the finish, and maybe 18 knots towards the end of what would be the second race. It’s a promising day, just a matter of whether it gets going early enough.” The forecast light winds have led to ORACLE TEAM USA reattaching its bowsprit for today’s racing. Murray said that ORACLE TEAM USA has been issued a new certificate for every race, 15 certificates in total, and Emirates Team New Zealand has had eight or 10 new certificates. “If they move the top rudder bearing more than 10 millimeters, that’s a new certificate,” said Murray. “For the second race of the day that’s clearly where those changes are because that’s the only thing you can change. They have the ability to mode change the boats quite a bit, and they’re working on the finding the strongest performance with the assets they have.” Race 16 is scheduled to start at 1315 and Race 17 at 1415. In the U.S. the racing can be viewed on the NBC Sports Network. It will be broadcast on NBC Sports Network until the conclusion of racing. UPDATE: 0850 hours ORACLE TEAM USA Crew List Skipper: Jimmy Spithill (9), Tactician: Ben Ainslie (12), Strategist: Tom Slingsby (10), Wing trimmer: Kyle Langford (8), Jib trimmer: Joe Newton (5), Off-side trimmer: Rome Kirby (4), Grinders: Shannon Falcone (1), Joe Spooner (2), Jono MacBeth (3), Gillo Nobili (6), Simeon Tienpont (7) Emirates Team New Zealand Crew List Skipper/helmsman: Dean Barker (14), Tactician: Ray Davies (10), Wing Trimmer: Glenn Ashby (3), Trimmer: James Dagg (9), Bow: Adam Beashel (2), Pit: Jeremy Lomas (8), Pedestal 1: Chris Ward (7), Pedestal 2: Rob Waddell (11), Pedestal 3: Winston MacFarlane (4), Pedestal 4: Chris McAsey (5), Float/Grinder: Derek Saward (12) Today in America’s Cup history Historian Hamish Ross recalls the advent of the nationality rule during the 1980 America’s Cup season off Newport, R.I. 1980, Race 4, Australia vs. Freedom – Freedom wins by 4:48. Skipper Dennis Conner takes the New York Yacht Club to match point at 3-1 in the 24th America’s Cup Match. After an American sailor, tactician Andy ,Rose had sailed with an Australian challenger during the 1977 America’s Cup season, the rules regarding the nationality of crew and designers were first implemented by the New York Yacht Club on July 15, 1980, prior to the 1980 match, but to take effect after 1980. Designers and crew were thereafter required by a new Trustee Interpretative Resolution to be nationals of the country of the respective competing yacht club. Immediately, issues arose as to what constituted a “national” of a country and with the Defender seeking to access foreign design talent, the new nationality rule was soon undermined by an amending Trustee Interpretative Resolution on March 9, 1982, permitting nationality to be attained by holding a passport, having domicile, or by having a principal place of residence in the country concerned for a period (usually about 18 months to two years) before the match. The rule was now easily, if sometimes expensively, satisfied by designers and crew renting a residence in a country as from a fixed date. The advent of almost fully professional crews after 1987 put more pressure on the new nationality rules as more mobile professional sailors and designers sought to take up America’s Cup opportunities across national boundaries. The designer and sailor nationality rules were abolished after the 2003 match, after the rules had lost credibility and only added an additional expense for competitors. The America’s Cup then returned to the position in which it was prior to 1983, when there were no restrictions on the nationality of crew or designers. Historically, America had engaged six English sailors and an English pilot to win the Cup in 1851, and American defenders routinely used Scandinavian crews. Use of an all-American crew on Defender was headline news in 1895. Early challengers engaged local pilots to help them navigate the tides and shoals of New York Harbour. The issue of crew nationality remains alive in many quarters in a search for balance between a representative national team to promote national public support, and encouraging new countries to enter the America’s Cup competition by making accessible skills and experience necessary to compete effectively. At present, a competitor has the discretion as to whether or not they engage nationals as their designers and crews, but a defender and its challenger of record have the freedom to mutually consent to crew and designer nationality rules as part of their mutually agreed terms for their forthcoming match. It would take a change to the Deed of Gift if a rule were to apply to all future matches. America’s Cup Park 10:00 am – America’s Cup Park opens, free access to public 11:00 am – AC72s on moorings 11:45 am – Dock-Out Show, Presentation Stage 1:00 pm – “America’s Cup Race Show” includes live commentary from 1:15pm, until 3:00 1:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 16: ORACLE Team USA vs. Emirates Team New Zealand 2:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 17*: ORACLE Team USA vs. Emirates Team New Zealand 3:00 pm – Arr Hour: MOA Bar Drinks Specials – Beer Garden until 6:30 3.15 pm – Poster Signing with team representatives from ORACLE Team USA 4:00 pm – Poster signing with team representatives from Emirates Team New Zealand 4:00 pm – Race Replay, North Point & Plaza America’s Cup Village 11:00 am – America’s Cup Village opens, free access to public 11:05 am – Morning welcome and schedule for the day – main stage 11:45 am – Dock-Out Show live from America’s Cup Park (Pier 27/29) – on the big screens 1:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 16: ORACLE Team USA vs. Emirates Team New Zealand 1:45 pm – Halftime Show shown on the America’s Cup Village big screens 2:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 17*: ORACLE Team USA vs. Emirates Team New Zealand 2:50 pm – Post-Race Show – on the main stage big screen 4:00 pm – Race Replay – shown on the main stage big screen (* If necessary) ORIGINAL POST: 0655 hours Today’s storyline is simple: Can Emirates Team New Zealand close out the 34th America’s Cup? Or will ORACLE TEAM USA continue to write the most improbable comeback story in the history of the 162-year event? Emirates Team New Zealand needs to win one of today’s or tomorrow’s two scheduled races to win the series. But ORACLE TEAM USA needs to win both of today’s races and tomorrow’s to retain the venerable trophy. Momentum would seem to be on the side of the defender, which has won four consecutive races to draw within 8-5 on the scoreboard after Emirates Team New Zealand reached match point last Wednesday. At yesterday afternoon’s press conference both skippers spoke of the improvements made to their boats since the start of the series, but it seems that ORACLE TEAM USA has a slight speed advantage. Today might be the Kiwis best chance to close this out. They get port tack in both pre-starts, and Barker has shown he can fend off Spithill in such instances. “It was always going to be a battle. We knew that,” said Barker. “Without question they’ve improved since the first week. We feel like we’ve improved also, but the game was very, very close and it was always going to be a battle for every point.” Races 16 and 17 are scheduled to start at 1:15 and 2:15 p.m. PT. In the U.S., the America’s Cup Finals will be broadcast live on the NBC Sports Network. Replays will be available on the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/americascup" target="_blank">America’s Cup YouTube channel</a>. Internationally, the America’s Cup Final can be viewed in more than 170 territories. All racing is also live on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/americascup" target="_blank">America’s Cup YouTube channel</a> (subject to territorial restrictions). You can also follow racing with America’s Cup App for android and iOS devices. <iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='584' height='359' src='http://www.youtube.com/embed/7f_G6gEWlcA?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent' frameborder='0'></iframe>
ORACLE TEAM USA extends 34th America’s Cup with four consecutive wins
9/22/2013 Read More

<img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18373" alt="GMR_AC34SepD21_4975" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD21_4975-780x519.jpg" width="584" height="388" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18374" alt="GMR_AC34SepD21_4902" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD21_4902-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18375" alt="GMR_AC34SepD21_4875" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD21_4875-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18376" alt="GMR_AC34SepD21_4890" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD21_4890-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18377" alt="GMR_AC34SepD21_4988" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD21_4988-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18378" alt="GMR_AC34SepD21_4929" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD21_4929-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18379" alt="GMR_AC34SepD21_4957" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD21_4957-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18380" alt="GMR_AC34SepD21_5024" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD21_5024-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18381" alt="GMR_AC34SepD21_4998" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD21_4998-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18382" alt="GMR_AC34SepD21_5116" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD21_5116-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18383" alt="GMR_AC34SepD21_5099" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD21_5099-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18384" alt="GMR_AC34SepD21_5105" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD21_5105-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18385" alt="GMR_AC34SepD21_5184" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD21_5184-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> ORACLE TEAM USA has scrapped its way back into contention at the 34th America’s Cup with a pair of victories today over Emirates Team New Zealand. The defender won Race 14 by 23 seconds and Race 15 by 37 seconds in two wire-to-wire victories. ORACLE TEAM USA trails Emirates Team New Zealand 8-5 on the scoreboard and 8-7 in victories (the team’s first two victories weren’t counted due to a penalty imposed by the International Jury), but has won four straight since Emirates Team New Zealand got to match point on Wednesday. “All in all, a fantastic job by the team,” said ORACLE TEAM USA skipper Jimmy Spithill. “We got off the line well in both races, Ben (Ainslie, tactician) and Tom (Slingsby, strategist) made some high-pressure decisions, and in terms of physicality it was one of the toughest days out there given how up and down the wind range was. The boys on the handles (the grinders) dug in and were rewarded.” ORACLE TEAM USA came off the start line to leeward of Emirates Team New Zealand in both races and controlled the match approaching the first turning mark. Each time Spithill luffed counterpart Dean Barker to gain the slight bit of distance needed to lead onto the ensuing run. The Kiwis made strong efforts on the upwind and second downwind legs to close the gaps, but could never get past the defender. Barker wrote off today to poor positioning on the start line and poor performance on the first downwind legs. Interestingly, ORACLE TEAM USA gained a total of 75 seconds on the first downwind leg in each race and Emirates Team New Zealand gained 37 seconds on the upwind legs. “Yes, we’re fast enough to win this,” said Barker. “With that we have to sail well. We let ourselves down today on both first downwinds. It was hard where we started in both races. We were behind at Mark 1 both times and gave up too much distance on the downwinds. The boys worked hard and made gains upwind, but it was never quite enough to put pressure on ORACLE TEAM USA.” ORACLE TEAM USA’s Ainslie also spoke of the difficulty on the racecourse, with the wind puffy and patchy. But when the wind strength increased in the second race, the crew unleashed ORACLE TEAM USA and it began foiling upwind – a mode where the boat looks its best. “Foiling upwind is a decision between me, Tom and Jimmy a bit, and it’s got to do with wind pressure,” said Ainslie. “If we see that we have good pressure and a good shift we’re happy to go in that mode. Today a bit in the second race we had good pressure and were happy to go fast the way we were going. It’s important to do it at the right time. If you do it at the wrong time on the outside of a shift or a header you can lose as much as you’d possibly gain.” Tomorrow marks Day 17 of the 34th America’s Cup, which will put the match in the history books as the longest ever. Lighter conditions are forecast, yet still strong enough to conduct racing. But if today was patchy, tomorrow could be worse, adding pressure to both teams who have no margin for error. “It’s right there for the taking, we just have to put a solid race together,” said Barker. “We didn’t do as good a job as what we expected today. We’re not down, we know we can win this thing, we just have to go out tomorrow and do a much better job.” “This is a team that has been through a lot in this campaign,” said Spithill. “We’ve faced all sorts of adversity. We capsized Boat 1, everything going on before match, taking away 2 points and our wing trimmer, but the team didn’t wave the white flag. Now the boat is so much quicker that we believe we can win this. And we’ve got a wave of momentum behind us that’s getting bigger every day.” Races 16 and 17 are slated for tomorrow, scheduled to start at 1:15 and 2:15 p.m. PT. In the U.S., the America’s Cup Finals will be broadcast live on the NBC Sports Network. Replays will be available on the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/americascup" target="_blank">America’s Cup YouTube channel</a>. Internationally, the America’s Cup Final can be viewed in more than 170 territories. All racing is also live on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/americascup" target="_blank">America’s Cup YouTube channel</a> (subject to territorial restrictions). You can also follow racing with America’s Cup App for android and iOS devices. —Sean McNeill 34th America’s Cup Standings (first to 9 points wins) <ul> <li>Emirates Team New Zealand – 8</li> <li>ORACLE TEAM USA – 5</li> </ul> Race 14 Performance Data <ul> <li>Course: 5 Legs/10.22 nautical miles</li> <li>Elapsed Time: OTUSA – 33:47, ETNZ – 34:10</li> <li>Delta: OTUSA +:23</li> <li>Total distance sailed: OTUSA – 12.8 NM, ETNZ – 13.1 NM</li> <li>Average Speed: OTUSA – 23.31 knots (27 mph), ETNZ – 22.58 knots (26 mph)</li> <li>Top Speed: OTUSA – 36.60 knots (42 mph), ETNZ – 35.41 knots (41 mph)</li> <li>Windspeed: Average – 11.4 knots, Peak – 14.9 knots</li> <li>Number of Tacks/Jibes: OTUSA – 8/12, ETNZ – 8/12</li> </ul> Race 15 Performance Data <ul> <li>Course: 5 Legs/10.22 nautical miles</li> <li>Elapsed Time: OTUSA – 27:34, ETNZ – 28:11</li> <li>Delta: OTUSA +:37</li> <li>Total distance sailed: OTUSA – 12.0 NM, ETNZ – 11.9 NM</li> <li>Average Speed: OTUSA – 26.23 knots (30 mph), ETNZ – 25.40 knots (29 mph)</li> <li>Top Speed: OTUSA – 41.80 knots (48 mph), ETNZ – 40.35 knots (46 mph)</li> <li>Windspeed: Average – 12.9 knots, Peak – 18.0 knots</li> <li>Number of Tacks/Jibes: OTUSA – 7/7, ETNZ – 7/9</li> </ul> <iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='584' height='359' src='http://www.youtube.com/embed/HBJh84kUv3w?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent' frameborder='0'></iframe>
Day 12 racing blog
9/22/2013 Read More

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-18369" alt="DSC_6454" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/DSC_6454-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /><img class="aligncenter wp-image-18368" alt="_MR_0099" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/MR_0099-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /><img class="aligncenter wp-image-18359" alt="GMR_AC34SepD20_4698" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD20_4698-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> UPDATE: 1458 hours ORACLE TEAM USA won Race 15 by 37seconds over Emirates Team New Zealand to sweep the day after winning Race 14 by 23 seconds. ORACLE TEAM USA has clawed its way to 8-5 on the scoreline, after trailing by 8-1 on Wednesday. Emirates Team New Zealand needs one more win to win the America’s Cup while ORACLE TEAM USA has to win out, four more victories. In a near carbon copy of Race 14, ORACLE TEAM USA started Race 15 to leeward of Emirates Team New Zealand to lead by 3 seconds at the first turning mark. The defender stretched its lead to one minute at the second turning mark, before the Kiwis made inroads on the upwind leg. The Kiwis made another charge on the second downwind leg, but ORACLE TEAM USA was too far ahead to overcome. Races 16 and 17 (if necessary) are scheduled for tomorrow at 1:15 and 2:15 pm PT. 34th America’s Cup Standings (first to 9 points wins) <ul> <li>Emirates Team New Zealand – 8</li> <li>ORACLE TEAM USA – 5</li> </ul> Race 15 Performance Data <ul> <li>Course: 5 Legs/10.22 nautical miles</li> <li>Elapsed Time: OTUSA – 27:34, ETNZ – 28:11</li> <li>Delta: OTUSA +:37</li> <li>Total distance sailed: OTUSA – 12.0 NM, ETNZ – 11.9 NM</li> <li>Average Speed: OTUSA – 26.23 knots (30 mph), ETNZ – 25.40 knots (29 mph)</li> <li>Top Speed: OTUSA – 41.80 knots (48 mph), ETNZ – 40.35 knots (46 mph)</li> <li>Windspeed: Average – 12.9 knots, Peak – 18.0 knots</li> <li>Number of Tacks/Jibes: OTUSA – 7/7, ETNZ – 7/9</li> </ul> UPDATE: 1442 hours ORACLE TEAM USA hit the afterburners in the second half of the upwind leg, hydrofoiling upwind at 32 knots and leading by 32 seconds at the windward gate. UPDATE: 1430 hours ORACLE TEAM USA stretched out a huge lead on the first downwind leg, turning a 3-second lead over Emirates Team New Zealand at the first mark into 1 minute at the leeward gate. UPDATE: 1422 hours The start of Race 15 was a near carbon-copy of Race 14 with ORACLE TEAM USA coming off the line to leeward of Emirates Team New Zealand. The defender led by 3 seconds at the first reach mark. UPDATE: 1358 hours ORACLE TEAM USA won Race 14 of the 34th America’s Cup by 23 seconds over Emirates Team New Zealand to fight off elimination yet again. ORACLE TEAM USA got the leeward position off the start line and held off Emirates Team New Zealand approaching the first turning mark. The defender fought off constant attacks from the challenger throughout the race, at one time just crossing ahead by less than a boatlength, but never lost the lead. Emirates Team New Zealand still leads the series 8-4 and needs just one victory to win the America’s Cup while ORACLE TEAM USA needs to win five consecutive races. Race 15 is scheduled to start at 1422 PT. 34th America’s Cup Standings (first to 9 points wins) <ul> <li>Emirates Team New Zealand – 8</li> <li>ORACLE TEAM USA – 3</li> </ul> Race 14 Performance Data <ul> <li>Course: 5 Legs/10.22 nautical miles</li> <li>Elapsed Time: OTUSA – 33:47, ETNZ – 34:10</li> <li>Delta: OTUSA +:23</li> <li>Total distance sailed: OTUSA – 12.8 NM, ETNZ – 13.1 NM</li> <li>Average Speed: OTUSA – 23.31 knots (27 mph), ETNZ – 22.58 knots (26 mph)</li> <li>Top Speed: OTUSA – 36.60 knots (42 mph), ETNZ – 35.41 knots (41 mph)</li> <li>Windspeed: Average – 11.4 knots, Peak – 14.9 knots</li> <li>Number of Tacks/Jibes: OTUSA – 8/12, ETNZ – 8/12</li> </ul> UPDATE: 1337 hours Emirates Team New Zealand made inroads on ORACLE TEAM USA’s lead on the windward leg, but the defender still leads at the windward gate by 15 seconds. ORACLE TEAM USA rounded the gate on port tack and Emirates Team New Zealand on starboard. UPDATE: 1323 hours ORACLE TEAM USA steadily increased its lead on the downwind leg, stretching a 6-second lead to 24 seconds at the leeward gate. ORACLE TEAM USA rounded the gate on port and Emirates Team New Zealand on starboard. UPDATE: 1317 hours Emirates Team New Zealand comes off the start line to windward of ORACLE TEAM USA, which has the inside position going into the first reach mark. The defender again luffs the match hard, well to the west of the reach mark. ORACLE TEAM USA leads by 6 seconds once the two crews round the mark. UPDATE: 1305 hours The wind is still solid 10 minutes before the start of Race 14: 15-16 knots from 250-255 degrees. UPDATE: 1255 hours The wind is blowing 14-16 knots from 260 degrees with 20 minutes remaining to the start of Race 14. UPDATE: 1230 hours With about 45 minutes to the start of Race 14, the wind is blowing 11 to 13 knots from 240-250 degrees, ideal for racing. UPDATE: 1200 hours At noontime the 30-second wind average was 12 knots from 255 degrees, raising the prospect of an on time start at 1315. ORACLE TEAM USA has removed the bowsprit again and Emirates Team New Zealand is going with the short version of the fairings on the front crossbeam, as evidenced by the different color netting. Guffaws were abundant this morning at the Regatta Director’s briefing when Iain Murray mentioned the possibility of having to postpone a race because of a whale in San Francisco Bay. After delays due to wind speeds, time limits and wind directions, a whale postponement would be a first for the America’s Cup. “Whales have been on our radar since we got here,” said Murray. “If a whale enters the course area we are obliged to deal with it. If it’s in the middle of the racecourse we’ll have to stop the race, it’s as simple as that.” UPDATE: 1105 hours Abundant sunshine has replaced the deluge of yesterday and the wind looks to be very favorable for two races, if necessary, on Race Day 12 (Day 16 overall) of the 34th America’s Cup. “It’s going to be a building breeze all day,” said Regatta Director Iain Murray. “Right now we’re in a transition period between the northwest gradient to the southwest; there’s light wind on the course but it’s coming around to the west, which we need it to do.” Yesterday’s scheduled Races 14 and 15 were postponed to today because of a southerly wind that was well off the desired axis around 230 degrees. That direction should come true early in the afternoon, although it might be light at the scheduled 1315 start or Race 14. “We’re keen to see how much wind we’ll have at scheduled start time of 1315,” Murray said. “Hopefully it’ll be more than 10 knots; we could see upwards of 20 knots if we get through to the end of the day.” The tide is flooding (coming into the Bay) all day, so the wind limits have been increased to 24.4 knots for Race 14 and 23.3 knots for Race 15. ORACLE TEAM USA will have port tack in prestart maneuvers for both races. “The signs are positive for a great day,” said Murray. Emirates Team New Zealand needs one victory to win the 34th America’s Cup while ORACLE TEAM USA needs to win six consecutive races to retain the Cup it won in 2010. Today in America’s Cup history September 22 is notable for the memorable headline, “Britannia rules the waves, but America waives the rules.” <ul> <li>1887: Scottish challenger Thistle is measured by the New York Yacht Club’s measurers in Erie Basin, New York. Thistle was found to have exceeded the waterline length stated in her challenge documents by 1 foot, 5 ½ inches. The NYYC Committee complained it was “a great discrepancy” despite building a defender yacht 10 1/2 inches longer than Thistle. The fuss was pointless as both yachts were to be measured and handicapped according to the Club’s rules, so that any difference would be evened out by a time allowance. It demonstrated a highly sensitive concern on the part of the NYYC that the George Watson-designed Thistle was a risk to retaining the Cup. Watson, of Glasgow, had a considerable international reputation as a designer, and his yachts were hoovering up silverware throughout Britain and in America. Calmer heads prevailed in New York and the issue was put to George Schuyler to resolve as both the last surviving donor of the Cup and the pre-agreed umpire. Schuyler ordered the yachts time allowances be adjusted, as was to happen in any event. Even with the new measurement, the larger Volunteer still gave Thistle five seconds of time to be deducted from Thistle’s elapsed time for each race. The dispute caused the Deed of Gift to be revised a second time, resulting in a new more formal, but controversial Deed of Gift to be written after the match under which Cup racing is conducted today.</li> <li>1893: Challenger Lord Dunraven’s yacht Valkyrie II arrives in New York after a rough Atlantic crossing for its America’s Cup match with two weeks to re-rig her into racing trim and to prepare her for the match. Dunraven, over a period of three years, had negotiated a solution to an impasse between British yacht clubs and the NYYC over acceptance of the new 1887 Deed of Gift. The British Clubs believed the Deed was too legalistic, removed time allowances forcing challengers to build a challenging yacht to the maximum load waterline of 90 feet or risk being out-built by a defender building a larger and faster yacht, and on winning the Cup they would be forced to impose terms they considered to be unsporting. The absence of challenges after the new Deed forced a former NYYC Commodore to propose tearing up the new Deed. NYYC officials admitted privately to Dunraven the new Deed was “was not strictly legal.” To resolve the impasse Dunraven secured an agreement: “… should the Cup come under that custody of a British Yacht club it shall be held subject to challenge under precisely similar terms as those contained in this challenge, provided always that such New York Yacht Club shall not refuse a challenge according to the conditions laid down in the Deed of 1887.” Dunraven deserves considerable credit and recognition for determinedly pursuing an agreement over several years between the Royal Yacht Squadron and the NYYC to allow America’s Cup racing to continue under the new Deed under which Cup racing is conducted today.</li> <li>1934, Race 4, Endeavour vs. Rainbow – Rainbow wins by 1:15 after a protest from Endeavour is dismissed. The controversial protest arose when Rainbow failed to respond to a luff from Endeavour, as Rainbow threatened to overtake the lead having just rounded the first mark ahead. Rainbow’s tactician C. Sherman Hoyt cried out, “For God-sake, luff Mike!” to Rainbow skipper Mike Vanderbilt. Sir T.O.M. Sopwith, the British owner and skipper of Endeavour wishing to protest Rainbow’s failure consulted the New York Yacht Club’s representative aboard Endeavour, “Bubbles” Havemeyer, about the timing of raising a protest flag. Havemeyer advised it would be acceptable if Endeavour hoisted as it passed the Committee boat stationed at the finish line, which Endeavour did. The New York Yacht Club Protest Committee later declined to hear Endeavour’s protest because it failed to display a protest flag at the earliest possible moment as required by its rules. While Sopwith’s public response was restrained and gentlemanly, there was considerable anger in the British team and in the British press, which blared the headline, “Britannia rules the waves, but America waives the rules.”</li> <li>1962, Race 4, Gretel vs. Weatherly – Weatherly wins by 26 seconds and goes to match point, 3-1.</li> <li>1970, Race 3, Gretel II vs. Intrepid – Intrepid wins by 1:18 and goes up 2-0 in the match.</li> <li>1983, Race 6, Australia II vs. Liberty – Australia II wins by 3:25 to even the best-of-seven match at three-all, leaving one historic last race to determine the winner of the 25th America’s Cup. Raced in a 12-knot northwesterly wind, Liberty won the start by 7 seconds, but Australia II captured a 15-degree wind shift to take the lead before the first mark and went on to win the race, and setting another new record margin of victory for a challenger.</li> </ul> UPDATE: 0845 hours Today’s crew lists are the same as yesterday and includes Winston MacFarlane in place of Grant Dalton on Pedestal 3 for Emirates Team New Zealand. ORACLE TEAM USA Crew List Skipper: Jimmy Spithill (9), Tactician: Ben Ainslie (12), Strategist: Tom Slingsby (10), Wing trimmer: Kyle Langford (8), Jib trimmer: Joe Newton (5), Off-side trimmer: Rome Kirby (4), Grinders: Shannon Falcone (1), Joe Spooner (2), Jono MacBeth (3), Gillo Nobili (6), Simeon Tienpont (7) Emirates Team New Zealand Crew List Skipper/helmsman: Dean Barker (14), Tactician: Ray Davies (10), Wing Trimmer: Glenn Ashby (3), Trimmer: James Dagg (9), Bow: Adam Beashel (2), Pit: Jeremy Lomas (8), Pedestal 1: Chris Ward (7), Pedestal 2: Rob Waddell (11), Pedestal 3: Winston MacFarlane (4), Pedestal 4: Chris McAsey (5), Float/Grinder: Derek Saward (12) America’s Cup Park 11:00 am – America’s Cup Park opens, free access to public 11:00 am – AC72s on moorings 11:45 am – Dock-Out Show, Presentation Stage 12:45 pm – Pre-Race Show with Andy Green and Tucker Thompson 1:00 pm – “America’s Cup Race Show” includes live commentary from 1:15pm, until 3:00 1:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 14: ORACLE Team USA vs. Emirates Team New Zealand 2:00 pm – Arr Hour: MOA Bar Drinks Specials – Beer Garden until 6:30 2:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 15*: ORACLE Team USA vs. Emirates Team New Zealand 3:00 pm – Post Race Q&A with Andy Green and Tucker Thompson 3:00 pm – DJ Set – Sweet Mix Kids, MOA Bar, Beer Garden until 6:00 3.15 pm – Poster Signing with team representatives from ORACLE Team USA 4:00 pm – Poster signing with team representatives from Emirates Team New Zealand 4:00 pm – Race Replay, North Point & Plaza America’s Cup Village 11:00 am – America’s Cup Village opens, free access to public 11:05 am – Morning welcome and schedule for the day – main stage 11:45 am – Dock-Out Show live from America’s Cup Park (Pier 27/29) – on the big screens 12:45 pm – Pre-Race Show live from the America’s Cup Park – on the main stage big screen 1:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 14: ORACLE Team USA vs Emirates Team New Zealand 1:45 pm – Halftime Show shown on the America’s Cup Village big screens 2:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 15*: ORACLE Team USA vs Emirates Team New Zealand 2:50 pm – Post Race Show – on the main stage big screen 3:00 pm – Post Race Q&A live from the America’s Cup Park – on the main stage big screen 4:00 pm – Race Replay – shown on the main stage big screen (* If necessary) ORIGINAL POST: 0650 hours Yesterday’s postponement of Race 14 was unfortunate but necessary in the grand scheme of the 34th America’s Cup. With Emirates Team New Zealand on match point and ORACLE TEAM USA needing six wins, a skewed race does no one any favors. For reference, see Race 13 on Friday when a 50-degree wind shift skewed the racing in favor of the leader. Today, however, the front has passed and sunny skies with brisk winds are expected. “Sunday it should clear up,” Principal Race Officer John Craig said yesterday. “The front is moving through and we should be able to get two races in on Sunday from 230-240 wind direction and 14-16 knots. We want to make sure it’s a quality race that’s fair for everyone.” Today marks the autumnal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. Fall begins at 1344 PT, nearly 30 minutes after the scheduled start of Race 14. It’s also the 16th day of the 34th America’s Cup, tying it with the 2003 America’s Cup in New Zealand as the longest match in history. Race 14 is rescheduled to start at 1:15 pm PT and Race 15 at 2:15 pm PT. In the U.S., the America’s Cup Finals will be broadcast live on the NBC Sports Network. Replays will be available on the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/americascup" target="_blank">America’s Cup YouTube channel</a>. Internationally, the America’s Cup Final can be viewed in more than 170 territories. All racing is also live on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/americascup" target="_blank">America’s Cup YouTube channel</a> (subject to territorial restrictions). You can also follow racing with America’s Cup App for android and iOS devices.
Taking stock of the 34th America’s Cup at match point
9/21/2013 Read More

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-18354" alt="GMR_AC34SepD18_3761" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD18_37611-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18355" alt="GMR_AC34SepD18_3770" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD18_37701-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18356" alt="Day 8 of the Final Match at 34th America's Cup" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/RP_AC34SepD17_461-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /> The joke going around the 34th America’s Cup this morning likened the media center to Hotel California, you can check in but you can never check out. While scribes, photogs and TV folk from around the world scramble daily to change their departure plans, today’s postponement of Race 14 offers a chance to take stock of where the match stands. On the scoreboard its simple: Emirates Team New Zealand needs one win, one bloody win to capture the America’s Cup. ORACLE TEAM USA needs six wins to retain the trophy it won in 2010. Back on Sept. 9, the first scheduled off day of the 34th America’s Cup, we suggested that the longer the series dragged out the better it was for the defender, and that’s proving true. RELATED STORY: <a href="http://www.americascup.com/en/news/3/news/18062/weekend-recap-80000-take-in-crazy-compelling-racing" target="_blank">Crazy, compelling racing thrills fans</a> ORACLE TEAM USA skipper Jimmy Spithill admitted that Emirates Team New Zealand had a speed advantage at the beginning of the match, particularly upwind, but the defender seems to have overcome that advantage. How? There are two converging scenarios. First, the defender went to school on the Kiwis, who were far ahead in crew maneuvers and outright speed when the match started. The discrepancy between the teams makes one wonder what the defender was doing for four months in its two-boat testing, but that point is moot now. The challenger and defender are dead even in boatspeed, with the edge going to the lead boat, the lead dog. It’s always good to be the lead dog because you can chose your points on the racecourse to cover or sail for a wind shift. The defender has also smoothed out its crew maneuvers and tactics, and that can be attributed to bringing Ben Ainslie aboard and also going to school on the challenger’s boathandling and tactics. ORACLE TEAM USA bottomed out at 16.8 knots in a tack in Race 12. Conversely, the Kiwis bottomed out at 13.6 knots in a tack. That’s a significant difference in a maneuver, aided by the handling of the daggerfoils. ORACLE TEAM USA’s jump in boatspeed can’t all be attributed to watching tape of its rival. The AC72 relies on the wing sail to harness the wind and the hydrofoils to propel it through the water. As Artemis Racing design team member Adam May noted last month, “If you want to change the mode of the boat in any way, the foils are the big-ticket item.” ORACLE TEAM USA looks to have a real speed advantage when foiling upwind, as evidenced by the 32 knots boatspeed in 16 knots of wind in Thursday’s Race 12 win. Dockside scuttlebutt suggests the team has changed the angle of attack of the foils and also changed the technique of the wing trim. RELATED STORY: <a href="http://www.americascup.com/en/news/3/news/18099/kiwis-lie-in-wait-as-oracle-team-usa-tries-to-find-the-answer" target="_blank">Kiwis lie in wait as ORACLE TEAM USA tries to find the answer</a> Dockside scuttlebutt also suggests that the Kiwis have sapped every bit of speed possible from their AC72, but that hasn’t stopped them from looking for more. This week alone the Kiwis have alternately chopped down the fairings on the front crossbeam, added them back the next day and then chopped them down again yesterday. “At the end of the day there’s a set of forces acting on the boat,” said Kiwi designer Nick Holroyd. “Any time you generate lift there’s a certain amount of drag that comes with it. We’re just looking at those equations and how to generate those forces most efficiently.” A look at the match stats reveals some interesting numbers. Emirates Team New Zealand has posted the fastest outright speed, 47.02 knots in Race 8, and ORACLE TEAM USA has posted the fastest elapsed time, 21 minutes and 53 seconds, in Race 9 on a 10.02-nautical-mile course. (Note: The course length has varied slightly from race to race, ranging from 9.71 to 10.27 nautical miles.) Races 4, 10 and 11 rank in the top 10 of closest finishes in America’s Cup Match history, and tomorrow the match will tie the 2003 America’s Cup for longest in history at 16 days. As time marches on, Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker is putting forth a calm front. He and tactician Ray Davies kept reminding everyone at Friday’s press conference that the odds are in their favor to win the America’s Cup; needing just one win to the defender’s six. But if the match extends much longer, the folks at Emirates Team New Zealand might feel like they’ve checked into Hotel California. —Sean McNeill <iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='584' height='359' src='http://www.youtube.com/embed/1fbFzu_C8Tc?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent' frameborder='0'></iframe>
Fall Out Boy, Panic! At The Disco and Twenty One Pilots at America’s Cup Pavilion
9/21/2013 Read More

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-18361" alt="Day 11 of the Final Match at 34th America's Cup" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/RP_AC34SepD20_6168-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18362" alt="Day 11 of the Final Match at 34th America's Cup" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/RP_AC34SepD20_6085-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18363" alt="Day 11 of the Final Match at 34th America's Cup" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/RP_AC34SepD20_5882-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18364" alt="Day 11 of the Final Match at 34th America's Cup" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/RP_AC34SepD20_6099-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> A young, vocal and enthusiastic crowd enjoyed the latest offering America’s Cup Pavilion on Saturday night. Fall Out Boy, Panic! At The Disco and Twenty One Pilots had the packed house on its feet for over three hours. Partial proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the Sausalito Community Boating Center, whose mission is to preserve a gathering place on Sausalito’s unique waterfront to engage and educate the public about the community’s rich maritime history and small craft heritage through affordable direct experience. The America’s Cup Concert Series concludes with two more shows – The Lumineers with Dr. Dog and Nathaniel Rateliff on September 25 and The Avett Brothers with Nicholas David on October 12
Race 14 postponed to Sunday
9/21/2013 Read More

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-18351" alt="_MR_0349-1" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/MR_0349-1-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /><img class="aligncenter wp-image-18350" alt="_MR_0342" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/MR_0342-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /><img class="aligncenter wp-image-18349" alt="GMR_AC34SepD20_4622" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD20_4622-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /><img class="aligncenter wp-image-18342" alt="Day 10 of the Final Match at 34th America's Cup" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/RP_AC34SepD19_4923-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> UPDATE: 1445 hours Race 14 of the 34th America’s Cup was postponed today due to unsettled winds on San Francisco Bay. The race was officially postponed at 2:40 pm PT, the latest possible time to start a race. The wind was strong enough to race, but the direction was too far south from the desired direction of 230 degrees, just west of southwest. “We saw this day coming a few days ago,” said Regatta Director Iain Murray. “We got the teams together last night to talk about the possibility of a light and variable wind from the south today. We do have an alternate course that we offered up to the teams, but they weren’t interested in sailing that course. They prefered to wait until the wind is back to the southwest on the normal racecourse. “The racing that’s left is extremely important and the teams don’t want to chance something that they’re not prepared for,” said Murray. Emirates Team New Zealand leads 8-3 and needs just one more victory to win the America’s Cup for the third time (1995, 2000). ORACLE TEAM USA, on the other hand, needs to win six consecutive races to retain the trophy it won in 2010, after being penalized 2 points by the International Jury. Race 14 is rescheduled for tomorrow at 1:15 pm PT, with Race 15 scheduled for 2:15 pm PT. UPDATE: 1420 hours The start of Race 14 has been rescheduled to 1440 as the race committee waits for the wind settle down. UPDATE: 1400 hours The race committee has pushed the start time back to 1430 in the interest of letting the wind settle down. The committee would like to see a direction of 230 degrees across the racecourse. As regatta director Iain Murray intimated this morning, this is far too important a race to have a skewed racecourse. UPDATE: 1350 hours Regatta Director Iain Murray said moments ago, “There’s a new cloud front coming through and the wind is 20-30 degrees from where it needs to be. “The breeze is 175 degrees at the bottom, and that’s not even a course. We’re confident once the front moves through and the skies clear we’ll have favorable wind. It’s just a matter if we get it before cut off time of 1440. “We’ve set the racecourse up in anticipation of the breeze filling in from the correct direction. But right now the boats are reaching up and down the course, and that’s not what we have in the America’s Cup.” UPDATE: 1335 hours The race committee has moved the start time to 1415 and may even reschedule to 1430 as it waits for the breeze to settle down. The wind is blowing around 13 knots but is still swinging through a 20-degree arc, between 210 and 230 degrees, just a bit too far left. UPDATE: 1305 hours The race committee has advised that it will attempt a start at 1400, 15 minutes earlier than previously announced. UPDATE: 1255 hours Regatta Director Iain Murray has released the two crews from their moorings at America’s Cup Park and is hoping to start a race at 1415. The most recent wind report indicates a strength of 13 to 16 knots from 215 degrees, still too far south to start a race but at least it’s starting to veer. UPDATE: 1115 hours It never rains in California, unless the America’s Cup is in town. San Francisco is awash this morning in the first significant rainfall since perhaps February. For ORACLE TEAM USA and Emirates Team New Zealand, this is problematic because of the southerly wind direction, which is skewed about 90 degrees from the racecourse for the 34th America’s Cup. “Where we’re at is the front is on top of us, it’s raining, light and variable wind, and the little wind that we have is out of the south, which would provide a reaching course up and down our city front racecourse,” said Regatta Director Iain Murray. “We have varying opinions of when it will pass, but our most optimistic is the front will pass and the breeze will return to southwest around 1330. So we’re likely to have a delay while we wait for the wind to switch. We may not get a race in today or we may get one race, but we probably won’t get two races in. It’s just something we have to wait out. When the breeze shifts we expect 15 knots,” Murray said. More updates to come. UPDATE: 0940 hours Today’s crew lists are the same as yesterday. ORACLE TEAM USA Crew List Skipper: Jimmy Spithill (9), Tactician: Ben Ainslie (12), Strategist: Tom Slingsby (10), Wing trimmer: Kyle Langford (8), Jib trimmer: Joe Newton (5), Off-side trimmer: Rome Kirby (4), Grinders: Shannon Falcone (1), Joe Spooner (2), Jono MacBeth (3), Gillo Nobili (6), Simeon Tienpont (7) Emirates Team New Zealand Crew List Skipper/helmsman: Dean Barker (14), Tactician: Ray Davies (10), Wing Trimmer: Glenn Ashby (3), Trimmer: James Dagg (9), Bow: Adam Beashel (2), Pit: Jeremy Lomas (8), Pedestal 1: Chris Ward (7), Pedestal 2: Rob Waddell (11), Pedestal 3: Winston MacFarlane (4), Pedestal 4: Chris McAsey (5), Float/Grinder: Derek Saward (12) UPDATE: 0845 hours Today’s forecast is for a southerly wind. It is not possible to set a racecourse for this wind direction. If the wind is southerly at race time, racing will be postponed until the wind shifts west with the passing of a front. The westerly, when it comes, is forecast to be 16-19 knots. Today in America’s Cup history September 21 is noteworthy on three instances, including a clinching win in 1964: <ul> <li>1964, Race 4, Sovereign vs. Constellation – Constellation wins by 15:40 and defends the America’s Cup for the New York Yacht Club, its 19th consecutive defense of the Cup. Sovereign marked the last British appearance in an America’s Cup match after 16 challenges since 1870.</li> <li>1980, Race 3, Australia vs. Freedom – Freedom wins by 53 seconds. Raced in winds of 12-16 knots, Freedom was lucky to win after selecting a light mainsail, not executing its start efficiently, tearing a headsail and spinnaker, messing up a spinnaker hoist and dropping a jib, and losing spinnaker pole overboard. If it were not for a building breeze Freedom would have been trailing the series.</li> <li>1983, Race 5, Australia II vs. Liberty – Australia II wins a must-win race by 1:47. In a southerly wind at 18 knots before the start, Liberty suffered a rigging failure. Despite not having its mainsail up at the 10-minute pre-start, Liberty forced Australia II over the line early and took a 37-second advantage at the start. The repair to Liberty’s rigging gave way and Australia II tacked out to the left and Liberty gambled on a right-hand shift that never came. Australia II led at the top mark and crossed the finish line 1 minute, 47 seconds in the lead, and closed the score to 3-2 in favor of Liberty.</li> </ul> America’s Cup Park 10:00 am – America’s Cup Park opens, free access to public 11:00 am – AC72s on moorings 11:45 am – Dock-Out Show, Presentation Stage 12:45 pm – Pre-Race Show with Andy Green and Tucker Thompson 1:00 pm – “America’s Cup Race Show” includes live commentary from 1:15pm, until 3:00 1:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 14: ORACLE Team USA vs. Emirates Team New Zealand 2:00 pm – Arr Hour: MOA Bar Drinks Specials – Beer Garden until 6:30 2:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 15*: ORACLE Team USA vs. Emirates Team New Zealand 3:00 pm – Post Race Q&A with Andy Green and Tucker Thompson 3:00 pm – DJ Set – Sweet Mix Kids, MOA Bar, Beer Garden until 6:00 3.15 pm – Poster Signing with team representatives from ORACLE Team USA 4:00 pm – Poster signing with team representatives from Emirates Team New Zealand 4:00 pm – Race Replay, North Point & Plaza 7:00 pm – Fall Out Boy with Panic! At the Disco, America’s Cup Pavilion America’s Cup Village 11:00 am – America’s Cup Village opens, free access to public 11:05 am – Morning welcome and schedule for the day – main stage 11:45 am – Dock-Out Show live from America’s Cup Park (Pier 27/29) – on the big screens 12:45 pm – Pre-Race Show live from the America’s Cup Park – on the main stage big screen 1:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 14: ORACLE Team USA vs. Emirates Team New Zealand 1:45 pm – Halftime Show shown on the America’s Cup Village big screens 2:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 15*: ORACLE Team USA vs. Emirates Team New Zealand 2:50 pm – Post-Race Show – on the main stage big screen 3:00 pm – Post-Race Q&A live from the America’s Cup Park – on the main stage big screen 4:00 pm – Race Replay – shown on the main stage big screen (* If necessary) ORIGINAL POST: 0655 hours Through the first 11 days of racing the 34th America’s Cup has delivered it all: close wins, large wins, light winds, strong winds, tacking duels, jibing duels and penalties to boot. It’s all added up to be one of the most fascinating Cup matches in history, and one that makes everyone wonder: What’s gonna happen today? RELATED STORY: <a href="http://www.americascup.com/en/news/3/news/18321/oracle-team-usa-victory-in-race-13-forces-34th-americas-cup-to-11th-day" target="_blank">ORACLE TEAM USA victory forces Cup to 11th day</a> Emirates Team New Zealand remains on match point after narrowly missing a chance to wrap the series yesterday. The Kiwis were about 1 nautical mile from the finish line of Race 13 – and nearly 1 nautical mile ahead of the defender – when it was abandoned because the 40-minute time limit expired. When it was re-sailed, ORACLE TEAM USA made a nice passing move on the first downwind leg, gaining a penalty on the Kiwis in the process, and sped away to a 1:24 victory, the largest of this series. “We felt very lucky, but also felt for the Kiwi guys,” said ORACLE TEAM USA tactician Ben Ainslie. “We’ve all been in a position where you have a hand on the trophy and have to come back and do it all again. We felt fortunate. We’ve had a rough time so we’ll ride our luck with that one.” “Luck’s a great thing. Luck beats skill every time,” said Emirates Team New Zealand tactician Ray Davies at yesterday afternoon’s press conference. “The odds are firmly in our favor at the moment. We have to go and execute like the first race (yesterday). We have to go out with the same sort of thinking.” Races 14 and 15 (if necessary) are scheduled for 1315 and 1415. In the U.S., the America’s Cup Finals will be broadcast live on the NBC Sports Network. Replays will be available on the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/americascup" target="_blank">America’s Cup YouTube channel</a>. Internationally, the America’s Cup Final can be viewed in more than 170 territories. All racing is also live on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/americascup" target="_blank">America’s Cup YouTube channel</a> (subject to territorial restrictions). You can also follow racing with America’s Cup App for android and iOS devices. <iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='584' height='359' src='http://www.youtube.com/embed/OJxXzrrr2LE?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent' frameborder='0'></iframe>
Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros put on an electric performance at America’s Cup Pavilion
9/21/2013 Read More

<img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18336" alt="AK_AC34SepD19_5028" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/AK_AC34SepD19_5028-780x519.jpg" width="584" height="388" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18337" alt="20/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA CA) - 34th America's Cup - Midlake (band)" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/AK_AC34SepD19_4732-780x519.jpg" width="584" height="388" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18338" alt="AK_AC34SepD19_5181" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/AK_AC34SepD19_5181-780x519.jpg" width="584" height="388" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18339" alt="AK_AC34SepD19_5131" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/AK_AC34SepD19_5131-780x519.jpg" width="584" height="388" /> Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, a Los Angeles based indie-folk band, put on electrifying performance at the America’s Cup Pavilion in San Francisco on Friday night. Midlake was the opening act as a packed house enjoyed a great night of music leading into an unexpected third weekend of America’s Cup racing. Earlier on Friday, band members had an opportunity to watch the America’s Cup racing on San Francisco Bay from the replica of the yacht America. Partial proceeds from ticket sales will benefit a charity nominated by the band.
ORACLE TEAM USA victory in Race 13 forces 34th America’s Cup to 11th day
9/20/2013 Read More

<img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18322" alt="GB_AC34_SepD19_974Z" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GB_AC34_SepD19_974Z-780x520.jpg" width="584" height="389" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18323" alt="GMR_AC34SepD19_4153" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD19_4153-780x519.jpg" width="584" height="388" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18324" alt="GMR_AC34SepD19_4234" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD19_4234-780x519.jpg" width="584" height="388" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18325" alt="GMR_AC34SepD19_4260" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD19_4260-780x519.jpg" width="584" height="388" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18326" alt="GMR_AC34SepD19_4293" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD19_4293-780x519.jpg" width="584" height="388" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18327" alt="GMR_AC34SepD19_4350" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD19_4350-780x519.jpg" width="584" height="388" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18328" alt="GMR_AC34SepD19_4382" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD19_4382-780x520.jpg" width="584" height="389" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18329" alt="GMR_AC34SepD19_4414" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD19_4414-780x519.jpg" width="584" height="388" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18330" alt="GMR_AC34SepD19_4442" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD19_4442-780x519.jpg" width="584" height="388" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18331" alt="GMR_AC34SepD19_4447" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD19_4447-780x519.jpg" width="584" height="388" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18332" alt="GMR_AC34SepD19_4505" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD19_4505-780x519.jpg" width="584" height="388" /> Emirates Team New Zealand came within one nautical mile of winning the 34th America’s Cup today, but then fell afoul of the 40-minute time limit. When Race 13 was re-sailed, the Kiwis were thwarted by a penalty and good speed from defender ORACLE TEAM USA. ORACLE TEAM USA won the second attempt at Race 13 by 1 minute, 24 seconds after staring down the barrel of defeat. The defender was trailing by an estimated eight-tenths of a nautical mile in the first attempt, which was abandoned when the 40-minute time limit expired and with the Kiwis eying the finish line. ORACLE TEAM USA’s fifth win kept the match alive at least one more day. Emirates Team New Zealand leads 8-3 and needs just one more victory to win the America’s Cup for the third time (1995, 2000). ORACLE TEAM USA, on the other hand, needs to win six consecutive races to retain the trophy it won in 2010, after being penalized 2 points by the International Jury. “It was disappointing to be that close yet so far away,” said Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker. “Sometimes it’s just not meant to be. The guys are very positive. We know we can win, we just have to put it together on the day.” “What can you do? Sometimes a couple of things go your way,” said Spithill of the first race that expired with the time limit. “We’re in a position where we have to take those things, but what a fantastic second race by the guys, really standing strong.” In the re-sail of Race 13, Barker fended off an aggressive move by Spithill in the prestart. Spithill went for a late push with about 25 seconds to the start, but Barker positioned himself to force Spithill to head up and into Emirates Team New Zealand’s bad air, and the Kiwis led by 3 seconds at the first turning mark. On the ensuing run, ORACLE TEAM USA rode a puff into a compromising position for Emirates Team New Zealand. The Kiwis were on port while the defender was on starboard. Spithill pulled his helm over hard to avoid a collision and the umpires penalized Emirates Team New Zealand. “The better move would’ve been to jibe before them and protect the long starboard,” said Kiwi tactician Ray Davies. “In a click more breeze you’re able to jibe in front of them and keep forward, but in that lighter air, by the time you hook up, you’re in their gas.” The Kiwis further complicated their race at the leeward gate. They were close behind ORACLE TEAM USA but the defender got to the three-boatlength zone and earned rights to round the right-hand gate. That forced Emirates Team New Zealand to round the left-hand mark at approximately 5 knots boatspeed while ORACLE TEAM USA was steaming upwind at approximately 20 knots. “There was a big right-hand shift coming into that gate,” said ORACLE TEAM USA’s Ben Ainslie. “We waited until the last second to make our decision. We were waiting to see their move before making our choice. It was a last-second thing which went well.” After another near miss – for both teams – Emirates Team New Zealand remains on the precipice of winning the America’s Cup, while ORACLE TEAM USA has no margin for error. Although the defender dodged a bullet today, the odds are still in favor of the challenger, which needs one win to the defender’s six. Both teams are confident of their chances and hoping for a little luck. “Luck is something you never walk away from,” said Barker. “It’s a case of executing a race. We entered today with a much better attitude than yesterday. Maybe we didn’t sail as well as we could’ve in that race, but we have a lot of confidence that we can go out and race to win.” “We believe we can win. It’s as simple as that,” said Spithill. “With these boats on that racecourse, you can dodge all sorts of bullets out there. At the start of regatta it felt like everything was going against us. Now it feels like it’s starting to turn.” Races 14 and 15 are slated for tomorrow, scheduled to start at 1:15 pm PT and 2:15 pm PT. In the U.S., the America’s Cup Finals will be broadcast live on the NBC Sports Network. Replays will be available on the America’s Cup YouTube channel. Internationally, the America’s Cup Final can be viewed in more than 170 territories. All racing is also live on America’s Cup YouTube channel (subject to territorial restrictions). You can also follow racing with <a href="http://www.americascup.com/en/apps">America’s Cup App</a> for android and iOS devices. —Sean McNeill 34th America’s Cup Standings (first to 9 points wins) <ul> <li>Emirates Team New Zealand – 8</li> <li>ORACLE TEAM USA – 3</li> </ul> Race 13 Performance Data <ul> <li>Course: 5 Legs/10.08 nautical miles</li> <li>Elapsed Time: OTUSA – 27:20, ETNZ – 28:44</li> <li>Delta: OTUSA +1:24</li> <li>Total distance sailed: OTUSA – 10.9 NM, ETNZ – 10.8 NM</li> <li>Average Speed: OTUSA – 24.16 knots (28 mph), ETNZ – 22.63 knots (26 mph)</li> <li>Top Speed: OTUSA – 33.90 knots (39 mph), ETNZ – 33.74 knots (39 mph)</li> <li>Windspeed: Average – 9.8 knots, Peak – 13.2 knots</li> <li>Number of Tacks/Jibes: OTUSA – 5/7, ETNZ – 6/8</li> </ul> <iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='584' height='359' src='http://www.youtube.com/embed/vmbRX6EQ5Tg?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent' frameborder='0'></iframe>
Day 10 racing blog
9/20/2013 Read More

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-18319" alt="DSC_5023" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/DSC_5023-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> UPDATE: 1412 hours ORACLE TEAM USA got a penalty on Emirates Team New Zealand on Leg 2 of Race 13 that allowed the defender to gain the lead. Skipper Jimmy Spithill and crew then held on for a 1 minute, 24-second win to live another day at the 34th America’s Cup. Skipper Dean Barker and the Kiwi crew nearly had the America’s Cup wrapped up in the first attempt at Race 13 today, but the 40-minute time limit expired with the crew little more than 1 nautical mile from the finish. Emirates Team New Zealand leads the series by 8 wins against ORACLE TEAM USA’s 5 wins. The Kiwis need just one more point to win the 34th America’s Cup. ORACLE TEAM USA needs six more points to retain the trophy it won in 2010, following a 2 point penalty from the International Jury. Races 14 and 15 (if necessary) are scheduled for tomorrow. 34th America’s Cup Standings (first to 9 points wins) <ul> <li>Emirates Team New Zealand – 8</li> <li>ORACLE TEAM USA – 3</li> </ul> Race 13 Performance Data <ul> <li>Course: 5 Legs/10.08 nautical miles</li> <li>Elapsed Time: OTUSA – 27:20, ETNZ – 28:44</li> <li>Delta: OTUSA +1:24</li> <li>Total distance sailed: OTUSA – 10.9 NM, ETNZ – 10.8 NM</li> <li>Average Speed: OTUSA – 24.16 knots (28 mph), ETNZ – 22.63 knots (26 mph)</li> <li>Top Speed: OTUSA – 33.90 knots (39 mph), ETNZ – 33.74 knots (39 mph)</li> <li>Windspeed: Average – 9.8 knots, Peak – 13.2 knots</li> <li>Number of Tacks/Jibes: OTUSA – 5/7, ETNZ – 6/8</li> </ul> UPDATE: 1452 hours ORACLE TEAM USA rounded the windward gate 46 seconds ahead of Emirates Team New Zealand beginning the penultimate leg to the finish line. UPDATE: 1441 hours ORACLE TEAM USA gained the lead on the run, using the advantage of starboard tack to get a penalty on Emirates Team New Zealand. ORACLE TEAM USA went through the gate just ahead of Emirates Team New Zealand, which got dead slow approaching the mark and rounded 20 seconds after the defender. UPDATE: 1434 hours Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker fended off ORACLE TEAM USA from getting a leeward hook by less than 10 feet and led onto the racecourse in Race 13. The Kiwis led by 3 seconds at the first turning mark. The wind is blowing 12 knots and although both crews have the Code 0 gennakers hoisted they aren’t unfurled. UPDATE: 1418 hours The wind is still light, around 10 knots, and blowing from 235 degrees. The second attempt at Race 13 is scheduled to start at 1433 hours. The Kiwis nearly had the America’s Cup wrapped up in that race, can they rebound and put forth another strong performance in the light winds? From Ray Davies, Emirates Team New Zealand tactician: “It was a bit of a shame. We were having a good race, just not enough breeze to finish in 40 minutes. Today was a bit of a shame really. We feel like we’re sailing well in these conditions and feel like the crew’s working well. Halfway down the last run Dean (Barker, skipper) mentioned the time limit. I had a look at my watch at that moment and we had 6 minutes to go, and realized it was unlikely.” From Ben Ainslie, ORACLE TEAM USA tactician: “The old adage it’s better to be lucky than good, I think that was the case in that race. We had a nice start, Jimmy (Spithill, skipper) did a good job. We were covering on run and they did a slightly better job jibing. We were staring down the barrel of defeat, but the time limit came into play. We had a problem with the halyard and sheets on the Code 0 gennaker. It wasn’t our smoothest race crew work-wise, and we’ve had a discussion on what we can do to clear that up.” UPDATE: 1408 hours Regatta Director Iain Murray said he’s hopeful that a second race can be run this afternoon. “We saw bits of 11 knots of wind and also down to 7 knots, with big changes in direction from 210 to 260 degrees. The tactics after the start, with the boats luffing each other, slowed the race down a lot. The breeze has averaged up and we’re set to run another race in 30 minutes.” The next race is considered Race 13, meaning Emirates Team New Zealand will have port tack in the pre-start maneuvers. The start is scheduled for 1433 hours. UPDATE: 1400 hours Emirates Team New Zealand’s hopes of winning the America’s Cup were temporarily thwarted by the time limit. The Kiwis led Race 13 by more than 1000 meters on the second downwind leg when the 40-minute time limit expired. The crew had just over 1 nautical mile remaining to the finish when the time limit expired. The race committee will attempt to rerun Race 13 at 1433 hours. UPDATE: 1358 hours ORACLE TEAM USA cleared up the halyard problem and has unfurled the Code 0 gennaker. The problem was due to a snarled sheet that had to be replaced. UPDATE: 1352 hours ORACLE TEAM USA rounded the windward gate 2:27 behind the Kiwis. The crew isn’t using the Code 0 gennaker presumably due to a problem with the halyard. UPDATE: 1350 hours Emirates Team New Zealand has rounded the windward gate with a significant advantage on ORACLE TEAM USA, but the wind may not be strong enough to propel the Kiwis to the finish line before the 40-minute time limit expires. The Kiwis need to finish by 1400 for the race to count. UPDATE: 1336 hours Emirates Team New Zealand rounded the leeward gate almost 14 minutes after the start. ORACLE TEAM USA rounded 1:42 in arrears. With a race time limit of 40 minutes, the first boat needs to finish by 1400 for the race to count. UPDATE: 1330 hours The two crews are on the first downwind leg working towards the leeward gate. The wind is still very light, between 8-10 knots, and is threatening the time limit for the race of 40 minutes. Emirates Team New Zealand has worked out a big lead by picking its way through the puffs. UPDATE: 1323 hours ORACLE TEAM USA got the better of the start in light winds, crossing the line slightly bow out on Emirates Team New Zealand. The reach to the first mark was hardly the screaming leg we’ve seen in the past with the winds just 8 knots. ORACLE TEAM USA luffed up the Kiwis approaching the mark but didn’t really gain a significant advantage. Both crews unfurled their Code 0 gennakers and jibed to port to round the first mark. ORACLE TEAM USA led by 10 seconds at the mark. UPDATE: 1314 hours With 3 minutes to the start of Race 13 the Race Committee postponed the sequence because the entry box was not aligned properly. The start has been rescheduled to 1320 hours. UPDATE: 1310 hours With the light winds both crews have Code 0 gennakers hoisted. For our International Race fans, please use this link to view the race: <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmbRX6EQ5Tg" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmbRX6EQ5Tg.</a> In the U.S. the racing can be viewed live on NBC Sports Network. UPDATE: 1305 hours There is heavy fog on the racecourse. While it might play havoc with the helicopters broadcasting images from the racecourse — the ceiling is 100 feet at the top end of the course and higher at the bottom end – it shouldn’t prevent racing. The average wind strength is 8 knots from 225-230 degrees. UPDATE: 1255 hours Some 20 minutes before the start of Race 13 the 30-second wind average is down to 6 knots from 225 degrees. UPDATE: 1230 hours Approximately 45 minutes to the start of Race 13, the wind on the racecourse is blowing 10 knots from a wide arc between 230 and 260 degrees. UPDATE: 1130 hours Races 13 and 14 are on the slate today, scheduled to start at 1315 and 1415 respectively. With a cold front approaching the Northern California region today’s weather is a bit unstable. The front was forecast to increase winds tonight, but that build has started earlier than expected. The original forecast called for winds of 10 to 15 knots with clouds increasing throughout the afternoon. But Regatta Director Iain Murray says the wind is already building. “It’s getting windier than that on racecourse. Already it’s blowing 15-18 knots at Anita Rock, in the sheltered part of San Francisco Bay, and more than that on Treasure Island,” said Murray. High tide in San Francisco is scheduled for 1249, which means there’ll be a slight increase in the base 23-knot wind limit for Race 13 (23.3 knots) and then a decrease for Race 14 (21.3 knots). “Were expecting the breeze to build all day and be very windy tonight,” Murray said. “We were confident of getting some races in on the earlier forecast, but the reality of what we see out there on the racecourse, it is windier – and this is pre-frontal as front comes through – we’ll have to play it by ear.” As for the teams, ORACLE TEAM USA was issued another certificate again this morning, its 13th in 13 races. A new certificate has to be issued for the slightest of changes, such as moving the rudderhead 10 millimeters, so it’s not surprising that the defender has constantly changed its boat in the search for the perfect setup. Today, the most notable change was the addition of the bowsprit, perhaps due to the original light-wind forecast. Emirates Team New Zealand will have port tack in the Race 13 pre-start and ORACLE TEAM USA will be on port in Race 14. UPDATE: 0925 hours The crew lists are out and if you’re like America’s Cup commentator Gary Jobson, who believes Grant Dalton is a lucky charm for Emirates Team New Zealand, you’ll be biting your nails. Dalton is replaced on Pedestal 3 by Winston MacFarlane. ORACLE TEAM USA Crew List Skipper: Jimmy Spithill (9), Tactician: Ben Ainslie (12), Strategist: Tom Slingsby (10), Wing trimmer: Kyle Langford (8), Jib trimmer: Joe Newton (5), Off-side trimmer: Rome Kirby (4), Grinders: Shannon Falcone (1), Joe Spooner (2), Jono MacBeth (3), Gillo Nobili (6), Simeon Tienpont (7) Emirates Team New Zealand Crew List Skipper/helmsman: Dean Barker (14), Tactician: Ray Davies (10), Wing Trimmer: Glenn Ashby (3), Trimmer: James Dagg (9), Bow: Adam Beashel (2), Pit: Jeremy Lomas (8), Pedestal 1: Chris Ward (7), Pedestal 2: Rob Waddell (11), Pedestal 3: Winston MacFarlane (4), Pedestal 4: Chris McAsey (5), Float/Grinder: Derek Saward (12) America’s Cup Park 10:00 am – America’s Cup Park opens, free access to the public 11:00 am – AC72s on moorings 11:45 am – Dock-Out Show, Presentation Stage 12:45 pm – Pre-Race Show with Andy Green and Tucker Thompson 1:00 pm – “America’s Cup Race Show” includes live commentary from 1:15pm, until 3:00 1:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 13: ORACLE Team USA vs Emirates Team New Zealand 2:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 14*: ORACLE Team USA vs Emirates Team New Zealand 3:00 pm – Weekend Kick Off – Peanut Butter Wolf (Stones Throw), House Shoes (Street Corner Music) and E. DA Boss (Myron & E/ Stones), until 7:00 3:00 pm – Post-Race Q&A with Andy Green and Tucker Thompson 3:00 pm – Arr Hour: MOA Bar Drinks Specials – Beer Garden until 6:30 3.15 pm – Poster Signing with team representatives from ORACLE Team USA 4:00 pm – Poster signing with team representatives from Emirates Team New Zealand 4:00 pm – Race Replay, North Point & Plaza 4:00 pm – Sundowner Specials at the America’s Cup Sports Bar presented by Peroni, until 6:00 8:00 pm – Concert: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, America’s Cup Pavilion America’s Cup Village 11:00 am – America’s Cup Village opens, free access to public 11:05 am – Morning welcome and schedule for the day – main stage 11:45 am – Dock-Out Show live from America’s Cup Park (Pier 27/29) – on the big screens 12:45 pm – Pre-Race Show live from the America’s Cup Park – on the main stage big screen 1:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 13: ORACLE Team USA vs. Emirates Team New Zealand 1:45 pm – Halftime Show shown on the America’s Cup Village big screens 2:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 14*: ORACLE Team USA vs. Emirates Team New Zealand 2:50 pm – Post-Race Show – on the main stage big screen 3:00 pm – Post-Race Q&A live from the America’s Cup Park – on the main stage big screen 4:00 pm – Race Replay – shown on the main stage big screen (*If necessary) ORIGINAL POST: 0700 hours Defender ORACLE TEAM USA and challenger Emirates Team New Zealand return to the racecourse today with the scenario exactly the same as yesterday: no margin for error. RELATED STORY: <a href="http://www.americascup.com/en/news/3/news/18291/oracle-team-usa-foils-kiwis-victory-plans-with-win-in-race-12" target="_blank">ORACLE TEAM USA foils Kiwis’ victory plans</a> Emirates Team New Zealand stands on match point, leading 8-2 and needing one more point to close out the series. ORACLE TEAM USA can’t afford another loss. Skipper Jimmy Spithill and crew put together a masterful performance in yesterday’s Race 12, winning by 31 seconds to stave off elimination. They need to repeat that performance similarly over the next seven races to retain the Cup. Emirates Team New Zealand also has no margin for error. The longer the series drags out the better the defender’s chances of victory. Skipper Dean Barker needs to put forth a better performance in the prestart today. Yesterday he got too close to the start line, which allowed Spithill to get a late hook and take a 6-second advantage onto the racecourse. Races 13 and 14 are on the slate today, scheduled to start at 1315 and 1415 respectively. If ORACLE TEAM USA wins the first race, the chances of the second race seem better today than the past few days because the tidal influence should be less. High tide in San Francisco is scheduled for 1249, which would mean the ebb factor isn’t as great today. <iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='584' height='359' src='http://www.youtube.com/embed/FRoFbNNg2nw?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent' frameborder='0'></iframe>
ORACLE TEAM USA foils Kiwis’ victory plans with win in Race 12
9/19/2013 Read More

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-18292" alt="GMR_AC34SepD18_3773" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD18_3773-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18293" alt="GMR_AC34SepD18_3761" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD18_3761-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18294" alt="GMR_AC34SepD18_3791" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD18_3791-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18295" alt="GMR_AC34SepD18_3770" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD18_3770-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18296" alt="GMR_AC34SepD18_3813" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD18_3813-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18297" alt="GMR_AC34SepD18_3830" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD18_3830-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18298" alt="GMR_AC34SepD18_3880" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD18_3880-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18299" alt="GMR_AC34SepD18_3824" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD18_3824-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18300" alt="19/09/13 - San Francisco (USA,CA) - 34th America's Cup - Final Match - Day 9" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/RP_AC34SepD18_4472-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> ORACLE TEAM USA kept alive its hope of retaining the America’s Cup with a wire-to-wire win in Race 12. Skipper Jimmy Spithill and crew defeated challenger Emirates Team New Zealand by 31 seconds, aided by a 6-second jump off the start line. Spithill did a great job in the prestart, gaining a leeward hook with 20 seconds to the start that forced Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker to tack away to avoid the risk of a foul. On the racecourse, the defender showed blazing boatspeed – foiling upwind at 30-32 knots and posting an average speed for the race just under 30 knots – and maintained a steady advantage to force the match into its 10th day tomorrow. Attempts to start Race 13, today’s scheduled second race, were abandoned when the wind exceeded the prescribed limit for the race with less than 90 seconds to the start. Emirates Team New Zealand leads the series 8-2 and needs just one more point to win the series. The defender needs to win out – seven consecutive races – to retain the trophy it won in 2010. “We were able to get a nice jump off the start line. From there Ben (Ainslie, tactician) and Tom (Slingsby, strategist) sailed a nice race, they had tough decisions to make,” said Spithill. “The way we sailed the boat was the best we’ve sailed it. We made zero mistakes and it was a very satisfying race for the guys on the boat.” Spithill said his team is reenergized by the recent performance of their AC72 and its given them the confidence that they can reel off seven consecutive wins. He said he’s also enjoying watching the Kiwis “squirm” as they hang on match point for another day, but Barker says his team hasn’t lost its confidence or direction. “We’re very aware of the support back in New Zealand and very thankful for it,” said Barker. “Today we made a meal of the start and got on the back foot. These guys (ORACLE TEAM USA) are sailing well enough that you don’t have a chance to get past them. We have to do better than what we did today. We’re very pleased with the way the boat is going, and if we sail properly we’ll give it our best run.” While the pendulum hangs in mid-balance, waiting to swing one way or the other, the performance of the AC72 continues to impress even the most hardened layman. Sailing upwind at speeds of 30 knots with closing speeds in excess of 70 knots has never been witnessed in the America’s Cup. “As the boats have gotten faster and faster they’re reaching speeds in much less wind than we were six, eight, 12 months ago,” said Emirates Team New Zealand wing trimmer Glenn Ashby. “The boats have become more powerful in a sense because they accelerate faster, stop faster, and turn faster than 12 months ago. You have to speed up the learning process as the boat’s going faster as well. But you just don’t need the wind strength anymore to get those top end speeds.” Races 13 and 14 are slated for tomorrow, scheduled to start at 1:15 pm PT and 2:15 pm PT. In the U.S., the America’s Cup Finals will be broadcast live on the NBC Sports Network. Replays will be available on the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/americascup" target="_blank">America’s Cup YouTube channel</a>. Internationally, the America’s Cup Final can be viewed in more than 170 territories. All racing is also live on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/americascup" target="_blank">America’s Cup YouTube channel</a> (subject to territorial restrictions). You can also follow racing with America’s Cup App for android and iOS devices. —Sean McNeill 34th America’s Cup Standings (first to 9 points wins) <ul> <li>Emirates Team New Zealand – 8</li> <li>ORACLE TEAM USA – 2</li> </ul> Race 12 Performance Data <ul> <li>Course: 5 Legs/10.16 nautical miles</li> <li>Elapsed Time: OTUSA – 23:49, ETNZ – 24:20</li> <li>Delta: OTUSA +:31</li> <li>Total distance sailed: OTUSA – 11.8 NM, ETNZ – 11.6 NM</li> <li>Average Speed: OTUSA – 29.90 knots (34 mph), ETNZ – 29.01 knots (33 mph)</li> <li>Top Speed: OTUSA – 42.62 knots (49 mph), ETNZ – 41.24 knots (47 mph)</li> <li>Windspeed: Average – 14.8 knots, Peak – 16.3 knots</li> <li>Number of Tacks/Jibes: OTUSA – 10/6, ETNZ – 10/8</li> </ul> Upcoming America’s Cup Schedule <ul> <li>Friday, Sept. 20: Race 13 (1:15 pm PT), Race 14* (2:15 pm PT)</li> <li>Saturday, Sept. 21: Race 15* (1:15 pm PT), Race 16* (2:15 pm PT)</li> <li>Sunday, Sept. 22: Race 17* (1:15 pm PT), Race 18* (2:15 pm PT)</li> <li>Monday, Sept. 23: Race 19* (1:15 pm PT) (*If necessary)</li> </ul> <iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='584' height='359' src='http://www.youtube.com/embed/3dLs7KzCszA?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent' frameborder='0'></iframe>
Day 9 racing blog
9/19/2013 Read More

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-18290" alt="DSC_4187" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/DSC_4187-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /><img class="aligncenter wp-image-18289" alt="GMR_AC34SepD17_3513" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD17_3513-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /><img class="aligncenter wp-image-18288" alt="Skippers_2" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Skippers_2-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> UPDATE: 1438 hours Race 13 was postponed with less than 2 minutes to the start because the wind exceeded the prescribed limit of 20 knots, which was lowered from 20.3 knots due to the start time being pushed so late. UPDATE: 1408 hours The wind strength keeps exceeding the 20.3-knot limit and has forced the race committee to push back the start time to 1425. UPDATE: 1400 hours Similar to yesterday, Emirates Team New Zealand will swap out the Pedestal 3 grinder, replacing Grant Dalton with Winston MacFarlane. “Winston will aboard for the next race,” said Dalton, the team’s general director. “We need more muscle on board.” The wind speed is up to 18-19 knots, just below the 20.3-knot limit prescribed for Race 13. The race is scheduled to start at 1415. ORACLE TEAM USA Crew List Skipper: Jimmy Spithill (9), Tactician: Ben Ainslie (12), Strategist: Tom Slingsby (10), Wing trimmer: Kyle Langford (8), Jib trimmer: Joe Newton (5), Off-side trimmer: Rome Kirby (4), Grinders: Shannon Falcone (1), Joe Spooner (2), Jono MacBeth (3), Gillo Nobili (6), Simeon Tienpont (7) Emirates Team New Zealand Crew List Skipper/helmsman: Dean Barker (14), Tactician: Ray Davies (10), Wing Trimmer: Glenn Ashby (3), Trimmer: James Dagg (9), Bow: Adam Beashel (2), Pit: Jeremy Lomas (8), Pedestal 1: Chris Ward (7), Pedestal 2: Rob Waddell (11), Pedestal 3: Winston MacFarlane (4), Pedestal 4: Chris McAsey (5), Float/Grinder: Derek Saward (12) UPDATE: 1350 hours With no margin for error, ORACLE TEAM USA staved off elimination in the 34th America’s Cup by winning Race 12 by 31 seconds. Team skipper Jimmy Spithill did a tremendous job in the pre-start, gaining a late hook to leeward of Emirates Team New Zealand about 20 seconds before the start and forcing the Kiwis to tack away to stay clear and avoid a foul. Spithill took his crew onto the racecourse 6 seconds ahead of the Kiwis and then led wire-to-wire to force another race. Emirates Team New Zealand leads the series 8-2 and needs one more point to win the America’s Cup. ORACLE TEAM USA needs to win seven consecutive races to retain the trophy it won in 2010. 34th America’s Cup Standings (first to 9 points wins) <ul> <li>Emirates Team New Zealand – 8</li> <li>ORACLE TEAM USA – 2</li> </ul> Race 12 Performance Data <ul> <li>Course: 5 Legs/10.16 nautical miles</li> <li>Elapsed Time: OTUSA – 23:49, ETNZ – 24:20</li> <li>Delta: OTUSA +:31</li> <li>Total distance sailed: OTUSA – 11.8 NM, ETNZ – 11.6 NM</li> <li>Average Speed: OTUSA – 29.90 knots (34 mph), ETNZ – 29.01 knots (33 mph)</li> <li>Top Speed: OTUSA – 42.62 knots (49 mph), ETNZ – 41.24 knots (47 mph)</li> <li>Windspeed: Average – 14.8 knots, Peak – 16.3 knots</li> <li>Number of Tacks/Jibes: OTUSA – 10/6, ETNZ – 10/8</li> </ul> UPDATE: 1332 hours ORACLE TEAM USA held its lead at the windward gate, rounding 10 seconds ahead of Emirates Team New Zealand. The two crews traded 10 tacks on the upwind leg, but ORACLE TEAM USA maintained the lead all the way. UPDATE: 1321 hours ORACLE TEAM USA rounded the leeward gate on port tack and with an 11-second lead over Emirates Team New Zealand, which rounded on starboard and began heading inshore towards stronger ebb tide. UPDATE: 1316 hours ORACLE TEAM USA skipper Jimmy Spithill completely outmaneuvered Emirates Team New Zealand in the pre-start, gaining a late hook with about 20 seconds to the start and forcing the Kiwis to tack away to avoid a foul. After all of that, however, ORACLE TEAM USA led by only 5 seconds at the first turning mark. UPDATE: 1255 hours The wind on the racecourse continues to blow around 14 to 16 knots and has backed to a direction of 235-240 degrees. UPDATE: 1215 hours At one hour before the start of Race 12, the wind on the racecourse is blowing 14-16 knots from 255-260 degrees. Race 12 is scheduled to start at 1315. UPDATE: 1115 hours The weather conditions today seem to be shaping up very similar to yesterday – light to moderate winds for the first race followed by stronger winds for the second. The question remains as to how strong it will build. Some models show it topping out around 18 knots while others have it bouncing off the 20.3-knot limit for the second race. “It’s very similar to yesterday. The thing that is different is that we’re starting to head to flood tides,” said Regatta Director Iain Murray. “The tidal correction factor is only -.8 in the first race, but in the second it’s back up to -2.7. So we’ll rattle on with the wind limits of 22.2 knots and 20.3 knots for the two races on the designated starting times.” ORACLE TEAM USA has port entry for the pre-start in both of today’s races. Race 12 is scheduled to start at 1315 and Race 13, if necessary, at 1415. Emirates Team New Zealand leads the match 8-1 on the scoreboard (8-3 in race wins) and needs just one more victory to close out the match and win the America’s Cup for the third time (1995, 2000). ORACLE TEAM USA needs to win eight consecutive races to retain the trophy it won in 2010. UPDATE: 0825 hours ORACLE TEAM USA Crew List Skipper: Jimmy Spithill (9), Tactician: Ben Ainslie (12), Strategist: Tom Slingsby (10), Wing trimmer: Kyle Langford (8), Jib trimmer: Joe Newton (5), Off-side trimmer: Rome Kirby (4), Grinders: Shannon Falcone (1), Joe Spooner (2), Jono MacBeth (3), Gillo Nobili (6), Simeon Tienpont (7) Emirates Team New Zealand Crew List Skipper/helmsman: Dean Barker (14), Tactician: Ray Davies (10), Wing Trimmer: Glenn Ashby (3), Trimmer: James Dagg (9), Bow: Adam Beashel (2), Pit: Jeremy Lomas (8), Pedestal 1: Chris Ward (7), Pedestal 2: Rob Waddell (11), Pedestal 3: Grant Dalton (6), Pedestal 4: Chris McAsey (5), Float/Grinder: Derek Saward (12) Today in America’s Cup history Three instances on September 19 are noted, in particular the “lights protest”: <ul> <li>1964, Race 3, Sovereign vs. Constellation – Constellation wins by 6:33.</li> <li>1980, Race 2, Australia vs. Freedom – Australia wins by 28 seconds after sunset, the first win by a challenger since Gretel II’s 1:02 win 10 years earlier in 1970. Dennis Conner, skipper of Freedom, protested Australia for failing to rig lights after sunset as required by the rules and by the International Collision Regulations. The Australians had attempted to do so, but their lights were not working and in the rush to rig them port and starboard were interchanged. With Australia at risk of being stripped of its win, another major America’s Cup protest incident began to brew. The Freedom team was split as to whether the protest should be pursued or not, the older members generally being against it, the younger insisting. The New York Yacht Club Committee was similarly divided. The International Jury refused to allow Freedom to withdraw the protest after it had been filed, but the Jury dismissed it due to a typographical error, and a controversy was avoided.</li> <li>1989 – New York Supreme Court First Division overturned an earlier New York Supreme Court decision awarding the America’s Cup to the Mercury Bay Boating Club for defending in a multihull yacht against a monohull yacht of the challenger, and restored victory to the San Diego Yacht Cup. Mercury Bay later unsuccessfully appealed to the New York Court of Appeals the highest court having jurisdiction over the 1887 Deed of Gift.</li> </ul> America’s Cup Park 10:00 am – America’s Cup Park opens, free access to the public 11:00 am – AC72s on moorings 11:45 am – Dock-Out Show, Presentation Stage 12:45 pm – Pre-Race Show with Andy Green and Tucker Thompson 1:00 pm – “America’s Cup Race Show” includes live commentary from 1:15pm, until 3:00 1:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 12: ORACLE Team USA vs. Emirates Team New Zealand 2:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 13*: ORACLE Team USA vs. Emirates Team New Zealand 3:00 pm – Post-Race Q&A with Andy Green and Tucker Thompson 3:00 pm – Arr Hour: MOA Bar Drinks Specials – Beer Garden until 6:30 3.15 pm – Poster Signing with team representatives from ORACLE Team USA 3:45 pm – America’s Cup Sweepstake, Plaza 4:00 pm – Poster signing with team representatives from Emirates Team New Zealand 4:00 pm – Race Replay, North Point & Plaza 4:00 pm – Sundowner Specials at the America’s Cup Sports Bar presented by Peroni, until 6:00 5:00 pm – Clear Channel Presents DJ Jay Plus (Wild 94.9) America’s Cup Village 11:00 am – America’s Cup Village opens 11:05 am – Morning welcome and schedule for the day – main stage 11:45 am – Dock Out Show live from America’s Cup Park (Pier 27/29) – on the big screens 12:45 pm – Pre Race Show live from the America’s Cup Park – on the main stage big screen 1:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 12: ORACLE Team USA vs. Emirates Team New Zealand 1:45 pm – Halftime Show shown on the America’s Cup Village big screens 2:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 13*: ORACLE Team USA vs. Emirates Team New Zealand 2:50 pm – Post Race Show – on the main stage big screen 3:00 pm – Post Race Q&A live from the America’s Cup Park – on the main stage big screen 4:00 pm – Race Replay – shown on the main stage big screen (*If necessary) ORIGINAL POST: 0700 hours Emirates Team New Zealand and ORACLE TEAM USA return to the racecourse today for Races 12 and 13 of the 34th America’s Cup. If the Kiwis can win either race, the series will end with the tiny island nation in the South Pacific the new America’s Cup champions. Emirates Team New Zealand enters the day leading the series 8-1 and needs just one more victory to hoist the Auld Mug for the third time (1995, 2000). ORACLE TEAM USA needs to win eight consecutive races to stave off the Kiwis’ charge and retain the trophy it won in 2010. Rival skippers Dean Barker and Jimmy Spithill have wheeled around their AC72s like singlehanded dinghies in the pre-start. Each has spoken of the closeness of the boats despite the different design approaches. Races 4 (ORACLE TEAM USA by 8 seconds), 10 (Emirates Team New Zealand by 16 seconds) and 11 (Kiwis by 15 seconds) all rank in the top-10 closest races in America’s Cup Match history. The Kiwis have won two of those three, which has enabled them to open a nearly insurmountable lead. “It’s hard to believe that the match would’ve been this close between two teams with different design concepts,” said Barker. “Both teams have reacted very well to what they’ve observed of the other team, and the boats have come together in terms of performance and strengths and weaknesses. It’s quite unbelievable that the two boats are so close in performance across a wide range f conditions.” Race 12 is scheduled to start at 1:15 pm PT, followed by Race 13 (if necessary) at 2:15 pm PT. The wind is forecast to be similar to today, light to moderate for the first race and building for the second race. In the U.S., the America’s Cup Finals will be broadcast live on the NBC Sports Network. Replays will be available on the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/americascup" target="_blank">America’s Cup YouTube channel</a>. Internationally, the America’s Cup Final can be viewed in more than 170 territories. All racing is also live on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/americascup" target="_blank">America’s Cup YouTube channel</a> (subject to territorial restrictions). You can also follow racing with America’s Cup App for android and iOS devices. <iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='584' height='359' src='http://www.youtube.com/embed/FhLNazUHoZQ?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent' frameborder='0'></iframe>
Emirates Team New Zealand on precipice of winning 34th America’s Cup
9/18/2013 Read More

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-18270" alt="18/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA CA) - 34th America's Cup -" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/AK_AC34SepD17_3745-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18271" alt="18/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA CA) - 34th America's Cup -" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/AK_AC34SepD17_3802-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18272" alt="GMR_AC34SepD17_3479" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD17_3479-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18273" alt="GMR_AC34SepD17_3484" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD17_3484-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /><img class="aligncenter wp-image-18274" alt="GMR_AC34SepD17_3521" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD17_3521-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18276" alt="GMR_AC34SepD17_3616" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD17_3616-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18277" alt="GMR_AC34SepD17_3609" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD17_3609-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18279" alt="GMR_AC34SepD17_3592" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD17_3592-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /><img class="aligncenter wp-image-18278" alt="GMR_AC34SepD17_3598" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD17_3598-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18280" alt="GMR_AC34SepD17_3533" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD17_3533-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /><img class="aligncenter wp-image-18275" alt="Day 8 of the Final Match at 34th America's Cup" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/RP_AC34SepD17_430-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /> Emirates Team New Zealand’s wire-to-wire win in Race 11 moved the challenger to match point in the 34th America’s Cup against defender ORACLE TEAM USA. About 38 minutes later, as the two crews were jockeying for position on the start line of Race 12, the race committee postponed the sequence because the wind strength had exceeded the prescribed 20-knot limit, forcing the Kiwis to wait until tomorrow for a chance to close out the series. Emirates Team New Zealand leads ORACLE TEAM USA 8-1 on the scoreboard, with the winner the first to score 9 points. The Kiwis need just one more victory to win the America’s Cup for the third time (1995, 2000), while ORACLE TEAM USA needs to win eight consecutive races to defend the trophy it won in 2010. “It’s not over; it’s a long way from over,” said ORACLE TEAM USA skipper Jimmy Spithill. “Both teams would’ve liked to sail the second race, but Iain (Murray, Regatta Director) has to stick by the limits that are set.” Race 11 didn’t feature the breathtaking back-and-forth lead changes that were a hallmark of Sunday’s Race 10, but it was every bit as exciting for the close-quarter action. Emirates Team New Zealand led at all four mark roundings – by 3, 6, 17 and 18 seconds – before settling for a 15-second victory. Barker did a good job in the pre-start, setting up to leeward of ORACLE TEAM USA. Both crews were late to the start line, mainly because Barker was holding the match up, slowing the defender until he was ready to rip onto the racecourse. The 3-nautical-mile upwind leg again proved pivotal to the match. The Kiwis began the leg with a 6-second advantage, but ORACLE TEAM USA once again attacked. The two crews traded 10 tacks on the leg, but the Kiwis fended off every advance with covering tactics and solid boatspeed. On the run to the final turning mark ORACLE TEAM USA closed up to Emirates Team New Zealand’s transom, but the Kiwis were able to sail a low course to round the mark, albeit at very slow speeds, while the defender had to put in two maneuvers to get around the mark. That gave the challenger enough breathing room on the final leg to the finish. “Every win here is so hard, they’re monumental battles, so you’re thankful for every win you get,” said Barker. “We had a bit of an idea how to attack it and it worked out as well as it could have. We had a nice little jump, sailed a good first run, at the bottom mark another split and backwards and forwards after that. We were happy to sneak away with another win.” Emirates Team New Zealand gets two chances tomorrow to close out the series. Race 12 is scheduled to start at 1:15 pm PT, followed by Race 13 (if necessary) at 2:15 pm PT. The wind is forecast to be similar to today, light to moderate for the first race and building for the second race. The lighter conditions seem to suit the Kiwis more than ORACLE TEAM USA. “The boat seems to go well in a breeze, that’s obvious,” said Spithill. “But I think we can still win races in the light stuff. We’re looking hard every night at what we can do. We’d love to get on with the racing, but we’ve got those wind limits and have to obey them. Whatever the conditions are we’ll go into it 100 percent.” In the U.S., the America’s Cup Finals will be broadcast live on the NBC Sports Network. Replays will be available on the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/americascup" target="_blank">America’s Cup YouTube channel</a>. Internationally, the America’s Cup Final can be viewed in more than 170 territories. All racing is also live on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/americascup" target="_blank">America’s Cup YouTube channel</a> (subject to territorial restrictions). You can also follow racing with America’s Cup App for android and iOS devices. —Sean McNeill 34th America’s Cup Standings (first to 9 points wins) <ul> <li>Emirates Team New Zealand – 8</li> <li>ORACLE TEAM USA – 1</li> </ul> Race 11 Performance Data <ul> <li>Course: 5 Legs/10.16 nautical miles</li> <li>Elapsed Time: ETNZ – 23:41, OTUSA – 23:56</li> <li>Delta: ETNZ +:15</li> <li>Total distance sailed: ETNZ – 11.7 NM, OTUSA – 11.5 NM</li> <li>Average Speed: ETNZ – 29.88 knots (34 mph), OTUSA – 29.04 knots (33 mph)</li> <li>Top Speed: ETNZ – 44.57 knots (51 mph), OTUSA – 42.70 knots (49 mph)</li> <li>Windspeed: Average – 15.4 knots, Peak – 18.0 knots</li> <li>Number of Tacks/Jibes: ETNZ – 10/6, OTUSA – 10/8</li> </ul> Upcoming America’s Cup Schedule <ul> <li>Thursday, Sept. 19: Race 12 (1:15 pm PT), Race 13* (2:15 pm PT)</li> <li>Friday, Sept. 20: Race 14* (1:15 pm PT), Race 15* (2:15 pm PT)</li> <li>Saturday, Sept. 21: Race 16* (1:15 pm PT), Race 17* (2:15 pm PT)</li> <li>Sunday, Sept. 22: Race 18* (1:15 pm PT), Race 19* (2:15 pm PT) (*If necessary)</li> </ul> <iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='584' height='359' src='http://www.youtube.com/embed/xOv_m_xaJvA?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent' frameborder='0'></iframe>
Day 8 racing blog
9/17/2013 Read More

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-18268" alt="_MR_9723-1" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/MR_9723-1-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /><img class="aligncenter wp-image-18267" alt="_MR_9647" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/MR_9647-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /><img class="aligncenter wp-image-18266" alt="15/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA CA) - 34th America's Cup -" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/AK_AC34SepD14_43611-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /><img class="aligncenter wp-image-18261" alt="15/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA,CA) - 34th America's Cup - Final Match, Day 6" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD14_2391-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /> UPDATE: 1425 hours Race 12 of the 34th America’s Cup has been postponed to tomorrow because the wind was exceeding the 20-knot limit during the pre-start. UPDATE: 1417 hours A lively pre-start saw Emirates Team New Zealand looking for a windward start, but ORACLE TEAM USA had leeward position, looking to luff the Kiwis. Four seconds after the start the race was postponed because the wind exceeded the 20-knot limit. The race has been rescheduled to start at 1432. UPDATE: 1350 hours Race 12 of the 34th America’s Cup is scheduled to start at 1415. Emirates Team New Zealand needs one more victory to win the Cup for a third time (1995, 2000). The Kiwis have replaced Grant Dalton with Winston MacFarlane on Pedestal 3. The wind limit for this race is 20 knots, accounting for a 3-knot ebb tide, and the wind is presently down to 13 knots from 240-245 degrees. ORACLE TEAM USA Crew List Skipper: Jimmy Spithill (9), Tactician: Ben Ainslie (12), Strategist: Tom Slingsby (10), Wing trimmer: Kyle Langford (8), Jib trimmer: Joe Newton (5), Off-side trimmer: Rome Kirby (4), Grinders: Shannon Falcone (1), Joe Spooner (2), Jono MacBeth (3), Gillo Nobili (6), Simeon Tienpont (7) Emirates Team New Zealand Crew List Skipper/helmsman: Dean Barker (14), Tactician: Ray Davies (10), Wing Trimmer: Glenn Ashby (3), Trimmer: James Dagg (9), Bow: Adam Beashel (2), Pit: Jeremy Lomas (8), Pedestal 1: Chris Ward (7), Pedestal 2: Rob Waddell (11), Pedestal 3: Winston MacFarlane (4), Pedestal 4: Chris McAsey (5), Float/Grinder: Derek Saward (12) UPDATE: 1346 hours Emirates Team New Zealand has moved to match point in the 34th America’s Cup after a 15-second win in Race 11. The Kiwis gained the lead off the start line and held it throughout the race, despite repeated attacks from ORACLE TEAM USA. The defender closed up to the challenger’s stern at the final turning mark, but the Kiwis were able to get around the mark on starboard jibe while ORACLE TEAM USA had to put in two maneuvers to round the mark. Emirates Team New Zealand leads the series 8-1 and needs one more victory to win the America’s Cup, while ORACLE TEAM USA needs to win eight consecutive races to retain the Cup. Race 12 is scheduled to start at 2:15 pm PT. 34th America’s Cup Standings (first to 9 points wins) <ul> <li>Emirates Team New Zealand – 8</li> <li>ORACLE TEAM USA – 1</li> </ul> Race 11 Performance Data <ul> <li>Course: 5 Legs/10.16 nautical miles</li> <li>Elapsed Time: ETNZ – 23:41, OTUSA – 23:56</li> <li>Delta: ETNZ +:15</li> <li>Total distance sailed: ETNZ – 11.7 NM, OTUSA – 11.5 NM</li> <li>Average Speed: ETNZ – 29.88 knots (34 mph), OTUSA – 29.04 knots (33 mph)</li> <li>Top Speed: ETNZ – 44.57 knots (51 mph), OTUSA – 42.70 knots (49 mph)</li> <li>Windspeed: Average – 15.4 knots, Peak – 18.0 knots</li> <li>Number of Tacks/Jibes: ETNZ – 10/6, OTUSA – 10/8</li> </ul> UPDATE: 1332 hours Emirates Team New Zealand leads by 17 seconds at the windward gate. The Kiwis kept their lead all the way up the beat, even though ORACLE TEAM USA closed up at one point to within 2 boatlengths. UPDATE: 1321 hours Emirates Team New Zealand maintained its advantage on the run and extended its lead to 6 seconds at the leeward gate. The Kiwis did three jibes on the run and ORACLE TEAM USA four, the last jibe to round the right-hand gate and gain a split beginning the upwind leg. UPDATE: 1316 hours Emirates Team New Zealand wins the start of Race 11, although both are late to line. The Kiwis had leeward position at the pin end with ORACLE TEAM USA on their windward quarter. The Kiwis eventually gained a position directly ahead of the defender and led at the first mark by 3 seconds. UPDATE: 1310 hours About 5 minutes from the start of Race 11, the wind has built slightly to 16-18 knots and the direction has backed to 235-240 degrees. UPDATE: 1255 hours With about 20 minutes to the start of Race 11, the wind is blowing 15 knots from 250-255 degrees. Emirates Team New Zealand will have port tack in the pre-start, and ORACLE TEAM USA will have it in Race 12. UPDATE: 1200 hours At noontime the wind on the racecourse was blowing 15 knots from 255 degrees. UPDATE: 1100 hours Regatta Director Iain Murray expressed confidence at his morning briefing that the conditions would be suitable for racing today, despite another day of strong ebb (outgoing) tide. “Our intel tells us around 15 knots for first race and 16-17, maybe 18 for the second race,” said Murray. “Once again, a strong ebb tide today increasing as day goes on: -2 for the first race so a 21-knot limit, and -3 for the second race, so a 20-knot limit. Once again we have a convergence of wind and current, but the forecast looks ok and we feel confident.” Today is an important day for both teams. ORACLE TEAM USA needs to win the two races to extend the series. Two wins by Emirates Team New Zealand and they win the America’s Cup. A split would extend the series, but serve Team New Zealand better. “From an event point of view it would be great if the American team had a couple of wins,” said ACEA CEO Stephen Barclay. “Last week I called Thursday moving day and Team New Zealand did all the moving. I think today is D-day. If ORACLE TEAM USA doesn’t sweep the day, don’t get two wins, I think it will be extremely difficult for it to come back. New Zealand could wrap it up, Oracle could win a couple; it could be all on.” Race 11 is scheduled to start at 1315 and Race 12 at 1415 PT. In the U.S., the America’s Cup Finals will be broadcast live on the NBC Sports Network. Replays will be available on the America’s Cup YouTube channel. Internationally, the America’s Cup Final can be viewed in more than 170 territories. All racing is also live on America’s Cup YouTube channel (subject to territorial restrictions). You can also follow racing with <a href="http://www.americascup.com/en/apps" target="_blank">America’s Cup App</a> for android and iOS devices. 34th America’s Cup Standings (first to 9 points wins) <ul> <li>Emirates Team New Zealand – 7</li> <li>ORACLE TEAM USA – 1</li> </ul> UPDATE: Sept. 18, 0835 hours ORACLE TEAM USA Crew List Skipper: Jimmy Spithill (9), Tactician: Ben Ainslie (12), Strategist: Tom Slingsby (10), Wing trimmer: Kyle Langford (8), Jib trimmer: Joe Newton (5), Off-side trimmer: Rome Kirby (4), Grinders: Shannon Falcone (1), Joe Spooner (2), Jono MacBeth (3), Gillo Nobili (6), Simeon Tienpont (7) Emirates Team New Zealand Crew List Skipper/helmsman: Dean Barker (14), Tactician: Ray Davies (10), Wing Trimmer: Glenn Ashby (3), Trimmer: James Dagg (9), Bow: Adam Beashel (2), Pit: Jeremy Lomas (8), Pedestal 1: Chris Ward (7), Pedestal 2: Rob Waddell (11), Pedestal 3: Grant Dalton (6), Pedestal 4: Chris McAsey (5), Float/Grinder: Derek Saward (12) Today in America’s Cup history September 18 is an auspicious day in America’s Cup history – the only day on which the Cup has been won three times: <ul> <li>1930 – Enterprise defeats Shamrock V in the fourth and deciding race</li> <li>1967 – Intrepid defeats Dame Pattie in the fourth and deciding race</li> <li>1977 – Courageous defeats Australia in the fourth and deciding race</li> <li>Intrepid (1967, ’70), Courageous (1974, ’77) and Columbia (1899, 1901) are the only yachts to have won the Americas Cup twice.</li> <li>1934, Race 2, Endeavour vs. Rainbow – Endeavour wins by 51 seconds. Held over a triangular course in a wet, 14-knot northwest wind, Endeavour pulled ahead after an even start to go up 2-0 in the match. Needing only two more victories to win the America’s Cup, it would be her last win.</li> <li>1962, Race 2, Gretel vs. Weatherly – Gretel wins by 47 seconds. Gretel caught and surfed a long wave to take the lead with her mast man yelling a war cry as she shot past Weatherly. Weatherly lost her spinnaker afterguy, causing the spinnaker pole to break against the forestay and with it any chance of catching Gretel. The bars of Newport that night filled to the sounds of “Waltzing Matilda.”</li> <li>1983, Race 3, Australia II vs. Liberty – Australia II wins by 3:14 to record her first win in the match. The race was attempted the day before but with Austraila II leading 2 miles from the finish line and Liberty 6 minutes behind, the race was called off as the time limit expired in light winds. “God must be an American,” claimed Conner. In the second sailing of Race 3, on September 18, in similar conditions, Australia II finished within the time limit to post her first victory by 3 minutes and 14 seconds, the largest victory margin of a challenger over a defender to that date. Conner was asked at the post-race press conference, “If God took Sundays off if he was an American?”</li> </ul> America’s Cup Park 10:00 am – America’s Cup Park opens, free access to public 11:00 am – AC72s on moorings 11:45 am – Dock-Out Show, Presentation Stage 12:45 pm – Pre-Race Show with Andy Green and Tucker Thompson 1:00 pm – “America’s Cup Race Show” includes live commentary from 1:15pm, until 3:00 1:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 11: ORACLE Team USA vs. Emirates Team New Zealand 2:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 12: ORACLE Team USA vs. Emirates Team New Zealand 3:00 pm – Post-Race Q&A with Andy Green and Tucker Thompson 3:00 pm – Arr Hour: MOA Bar Drinks Specials – Beer Garden until 6:30 3.15 pm – Poster Signing with team representatives from ORACLE Team USA 4:00 pm – Poster signing with team representatives from Emirates Team New Zealand 4:00 pm – Race Replay, North Point & Plaza 4:00 pm – Sundowner Specials at the America’s Cup Sports Bar presented by Peroni, until 6:00 America’s Cup Village 11:00 am – America’s Cup Village opens, free access to public 11:05 am – Morning welcome and schedule for the day – main stage 11:45 am – Dock-Out Show live from America’s Cup Park (Pier 27/29) – on the big screens 12:45 pm – Pre-Race Show live from the America’s Cup Park – on the main stage big screen 1:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 11: ORACLE Team USA vs. Emirates Team New Zealand 1:45 pm – Halftime Show shown on the America’s Cup Village big screens 2:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 12: ORACLE Team USA vs. Emirates Team New Zealand 2:50 pm – Post-Race Show – on the main stage big screen 3:00 pm – Post-Race Q&A live from the America’s Cup Park – on the main stage big screen 4:00 pm – Race Replay – shown on the main stage big screen ORIGINAL POST: Sept. 17, 1744 hours After today’s postponement the wind conditions look to be lighter for Wednesday and should allow for racing to begin as scheduled at 1:15 pm PT. Races 11 and 12 are on the docket and if Emirates Team New Zealand sweeps both it’ll win the America’s Cup for a third time. The Kiwis lead the America’s Cup Finals 7-1 over ORACLE TEAM USA. The first team to reach 9 points will hoist the Cup. The forecast is for winds between 14 and 17 knots, potentially gusting higher later in the afternoon. That could be the lightest average wind in this final series, and might produce different results. “At the moment we look good in higher winds and maybe they look better in lower winds, but that might change in the next few days,” said ORACLE TEAM USA designer Dirk Kramers, at a media briefing following the postponement. The defender looks better in higher winds due in part to the series of modifications it undertook last Friday in the quest to improve upwind performance. Kramers was coy in his explanation of the improvements. “The obvious changes were we went to the short spine (bowsprit). There were probably four or five more changes, all visible to the naked eye. So I challenge you to find them.” Emirates Team New Zealand designer Nick Holroyd picked up the conversation from there. “I think there’s been some rake change in the wing, beyond that where they’ve taken the spine structure away saves you a bunch of weight, which opens up opportunities to do things elsewhere. But I’ll go back and terrorize the recon department to find more,” said Holroyd. A strong ebb (outgoing) tide will lower the wind limits to 21 knots for the first race on Wednesday and 20 knots for the second race. Although the low limits were a hindrance to racing on Tuesday, the ebb tide serves to open up the racecourse, and if the wind is as forecast, shouldn’t cause a postponement. “We’ve seen the game change drastically from very one-sided track in flood (incoming) tides with good control to having an open racecourse,” said Holroyd. “The way the guys are thinking on the boat has to change quickly.” The two designers spoke this afternoon following the postponement of racing. They both agree that working on the AC72 design development has been the most fun challenge they’ve undertaken. “Essentially we’ve taken a two-dimensional sport and made it three dimensional, and it’s pretty fun,” said Holroyd. “Something similar to this is the future,” said Kramers. “As far as pure spectacle this is great, and we might not see it again.”
Strong winds postpone Day 7 of 34th America’s Cup
9/17/2013 Read More

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-18256" alt="GMR_AC34SepD16_3329" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD16_3329-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18257" alt="10/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA,CA) - 34th America's Cup - Final Match - Day 3" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD9_9350-1-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> All racing scheduled for Day 7 of the 34th America’s Cup has been postponed until tomorrow. Races 11 and 12 were postponed due to strong winds in excess of the prescribed limit. Today’s wind limit of 20.1 knots was especially low because of a strong ebb (outgoing) tide on San Francisco Bay. The ebb tide flows against the prevailing wind direction and creates a challenging sea state for the AC72 catamarans. At the time of postponement (1:31 pm PT), the wind was blowing 25 knots. The two races are rescheduled to tomorrow, at 1:15 pm and 2:15 pm PT, respectively. Challenger Emirates Team New Zealand leads defender ORACLE TEAM USA 7-1. The winner of the 34th America’s Cup will be the first team to score 9 points. For the Kiwis that means two additional race wins and for ORACLE TEAM USA it means eight. ORACLE TEAM USA’s first two victories don’t count towards its scoreline due to a penalty imposed by the International Jury. Racing resumes Tuesday with Races 11 and 12, scheduled for 1:15 pm PT and 2:15 pm PT. In the U.S., the America’s Cup Finals will be broadcast live on the NBC Sports Network. Replays will be available on the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/americascup" target="_blank">America’s Cup YouTube channel</a>. Internationally, the America’s Cup Final can be viewed in more than 170 territories. All racing is also live on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/americascup" target="_blank">America’s Cup YouTube channel</a> (subject to territorial restrictions). You can also follow racing with America’s Cup App for android and iOS devices. 34th America’s Cup Standings (first to 9 points wins) <ul> <li>Emirates Team New Zealand – 7</li> <li>ORACLE TEAM USA – 1</li> </ul> Upcoming America’s Cup Schedule <ul> <li>Wednesday, Sept. 18: Race 11 (1:15 pm PT), Race 12 (2:15 pm PT)</li> <li>Thursday, Sept. 19: Race 13* (1:15 pm PT), Race 14* (2:15 pm PT)</li> <li>Friday, Sept. 20: Race 15* (1:15 pm PT), Race 16* (2:15 pm PT)</li> <li>Saturday, Sept. 21: Race 17* (1:15 pm PT), Race 18* (2:15 pm PT)</li> <li>Sunday, Sept. 22: Race 19* (1:15 pm PT)</li> </ul> (*If necessary)
Tuesday racing postponed
9/17/2013 Read More

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-18250" alt="10/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA,CA) - 34th America's Cup - Final Match - Day 3" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD9_9350-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /><img class="aligncenter wp-image-18249" alt="_MR_9614" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/MR_9614-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /><img class="aligncenter wp-image-18248" alt="10/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA,CA) - 34th America's Cup - Final Match - Day 3" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD9_9116-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /><img class="aligncenter wp-image-18237" alt="Day 5 of the Final Match at 34th America's Cup" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/RP_AC34SepD13_2242-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> UPDATE: 1332 hours At 1331, the race committee informed the two teams that racing is postponed for the day. Races 11 and 12 are rescheduled for tomorrow, at 1315 and 1415, and the winds are expected to be much more favorable. UPDATE: 1330 hours The start of Race 11 is rescheduled to 1345, and it’s likely there won’t be many more resets of the start cycle. “I’m concerned about the boats getting home safely,” said Regatta Director Iain Murray. “We have a huge amount of wind along the city front. It’s windy and the current’s getting stronger by the minute. We must consider that although today is windy we have more racing to go. When the front passes tonight we’ll get back to good racing tomorrow and the rest of the week.” UPDATE: 1317 hours The start of Race 11 is now scheduled for 1332. UPDATE: 1310 hours The Race 11 start is now scheduled for 1325. UPDATE: 1305 hours The start of Race 11 has been pushed back 5 minutes to 1320 because the wind strength exceeded the 20.1-knot limit for 30 seconds. The start has to be rescheduled every time the 30-second rolling box car average eclipses the limit. The race committee has indicated it will keep trying to start Race 11 until 1345. UPDATE: 1250 hours The wind strength continues to bounce above and below the 20.1-knot limit for Race 11. Currently, the race committee plans to begin the start sequence as scheduled at 1310, with a start scheduled for 1315. UPDATE: 1200 hours The two crews want to go to the racecourse so Regatta Director Iain Murray will send them out. Wind reports from Regardless indicate the wind is blowing around the Race 11 limit of 20.1 knots. Race 11 is scheduled to start at 1315. UPDATE: 1108 hours With a weather forecast calling for winds gusting up to 28 knots coupled with a strong ebb tide, the prospect for racing today is questionable. Regatta Director Iain Murray put today’s forecast in stark terms at his morning briefing. “This is the strongest current day we’ve had all summer. This is getting up towards the day that ORACLE TEAM USA had its difficulty last October,” said Murray. Murray plans to send the race committee boat, Regardless, to the racecourse to monitor the wind conditions. After the dock-out show, around 1130, he’ll make a decision whether to send the crews to the racecourse or keep them moored at the America’s Cup Park, at Piers 27/29. “For a long time we’ve known that this would be the toughest tide day. It’s a strong ebb at 2.9 knots (for Race 11) and 2.7 (for Race 12), so we have a low wind limit, 20.1 knots and 20.3 knots for the two races,” said Murray. “Just to compliment the day we have our strongest wind forecast. The committee boat will set up on station and we’ll monitor the situation. We thought it would be tough on Sunday but we got two races in, so fingers crossed.” UPDATE: 0845 hours ORACLE TEAM USA Crew List Skipper: Jimmy Spithill (9), Tactician: Ben Ainslie (12), Strategist: Tom Slingsby (10), Wing trimmer: Kyle Langford (8), Jib trimmer: Joe Newton (5), Off-side trimmer: Rome Kirby (4), Grinders: Shannon Falcone (1), Joe Spooner (2), Jono MacBeth (3), Gillo Nobili (6), Simeon Tienpont (7) Emirates Team New Zealand Crew List Skipper/helmsman: Dean Barker (14), Tactician: Ray Davies (10), Wing Trimmer: Glenn Ashby (3), Trimmer: James Dagg (9), Bow: Adam Beashel (2), Pit: Jeremy Lomas (8), Pedestal 1: Chris Ward (7), Pedestal 2: Rob Waddell (11), Pedestal 3: Grant Dalton (6), Pedestal 4: Chris McAsey (5), Float/Grinder: Derek Saward (12) Today in America’s Cup history September 17 is notable on many instances in America’s Cup history, particularly in 1974: <ul> <li>1930, Race 3, Shamrock V vs. Enterprise – Enterprise wins and Shamrock V fails finish the race. The third race was a disaster for Shamrock V, despite winning the start her main halyard parted on the first leg and she lost her mainsail, leaving Enterprise to continue the course and finish alone to collect its third win in a first-to-four series</li> <li>1934, Race 1, Endeavour vs. Rainbow – Endeavour wins by 2:09. The New York Yacht Club Race Committee exercised discretion and delayed the start for 15 minutes to allow an injured crewman aboard Endeavour to be recovered after injuring himself while up the mast trying to free a halyard. Endeavour started well and was slightly ahead of Rainbow, but Rainbow rounded the mark 18 seconds ahead. Endeavour was clearly the faster down wind and she passed Rainbow to windward 20 minutes after rounding the mark.</li> <li>1964, Race 2, Sovereign vs. Constellation – Constellation wins by 20:24 the largest winning margin in the 12-Meter era.</li> <li>1974, Race 4, Southern Cross vs. Courageous – Courageous wins by 7:19 and successfully defends the America’s Cup. It was Dennis Conner’s introduction to an America’s Cup match as a starting helmsman under Skipper Bob Bavier. Conner brought his trademark aggressive starting tactics, which led Alan Bond to complain, “We are fearful that fouling and striking tactics will be introduced to America’s Cup starts… We deplore this approach, which is degrading to the dignity and prestige of the America’s Cup as one of the world’s most important sporting events, and we are most concerned that this style of racing could be condoned by the NYYC… Apart from unsportsmanlike nature of this approach there is a definite element of danger to the safety of the crews and boats by the adoption of rodeo tactics afloat.”</li> <li>1977, Race 3, Australia vs. Courageous – Courageous wins by 2:32.</li> <li>1983, Race 3, Australia II vs. Liberty – The race was abandoned in light winds with Australia II ahead.</li> <li>2011 – Emirates Team New Zealand wins the America’s Cup World Series Plymouth AC45 match race regatta.</li> </ul> ORIGINAL POST: 0700 hours As if Emirates Team New Zealand and ORACLE TEAM USA didn’t deliver enough thrills and spills over the weekend, today the stakes are raised even higher: two more wins for Emirates Team New Zealand and the Kiwis win the America’s Cup for the third time (1995, 2000). ORACLE TEAM USA, of course, isn’t going to stop believing. The defender was out on San Francisco Bay yesterday practicing and last night got a special shout out at the Journey concert at the America’s Cup Pavilion (see video at bottom). The team has made a noticeable leap with its upwind boatspeed and tactics, and they’ll need both today to stave off the Kiwis march. RELATED STORY: <a href="http://www.americascup.com/en/news/3/news/18215/34th-americas-cup-delivers-more-heart-pounding-action-as-teams-split-the-day" target="_blank">34th America’s Cup delivers more heart-pounding action</a> “The development of these two teams through the finals has been immense,” said ORACLE TEAM USA tactician Ben Ainslie. “Where we’d be in six months time, how would we be sailing these boats around the course, would be so much better, so much faster, the handling so much better. Certainly the sailors have enjoyed the challenge of taking on this new class of boat and developing.” Emirates Team New Zealand will have port tack in the pre-start maneuvers for Race 11 and ORACLE TEAM USA will have it in Race 12. The question is will the conditions prevent the teams from racing? On Sunday Regatta Director Iain Murray intimated that the winds could be too strong and yesterday’s forecast wasn’t favorable. An ebb tide of 3 knots is expected with winds of 20 to 25 knots, gusting higher. Race 11 is scheduled to start at 1315 and Race 12 at 1415 PT. In the U.S., the America’s Cup Finals will be broadcast live on the NBC Sports Network. Replays will be available on the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/americascup" target="_blank">America’s Cup YouTube channel</a>. Internationally, the America’s Cup Final can be viewed in more than 170 territories. All racing is also live on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/americascup" target="_blank">America’s Cup YouTube channel</a> (subject to territorial restrictions). You can also follow racing with America’s Cup App for android and iOS devices. 34th America’s Cup Standings (first to 9 points wins) <ul> <li>Emirates Team New Zealand – 7</li> <li>ORACLE TEAM USA – 1</li> </ul> <iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='584' height='359' src='http://www.youtube.com/embed/7h4RpX0gca4?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent' frameborder='0'></iframe>
Journey won’t stop believing
9/16/2013 Read More

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-18239" alt="GMR_AC34SepD15_2828" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD15_2828-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18240" alt="GMR_AC34SepD15_2920" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD15_2920-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18241" alt="GMR_AC34SepD15_2846" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD15_2846-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18242" alt="GMR_AC34SepD15_2824" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD15_2824-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> Journey, San Francisco born and bred, came home to the newest concert venue along the city’s Embarcadero on Monday night. The band played a sold-out show at America’s Cup Pavilion, with Tower of Power opening the night. “San Francisco is the best city in the world,” said Neal Schon, the lead guitarist for the band. “I love it here, I love playing here, and I grew up here, so how can you get better than that?” Todd Harris, commentator for NBC’s coverage of the America’s Cup, introduced the show, and the America’s Cup trophy was back stage for the band to see. During their encore, Journey dedicated their hit “Don’t Stop Believing” to ORACLE TEAM USA, which needs to mount a comeback against Emirates Team New Zealand to retain the America’s Cup for the United States. “I wish them luck and I hear they are coming back, so we’ll see what happens tomorrow,” Shon said before the show. “The song might have more meaning for them!” On the weekend bass player Ross Valory and keyboardist Jonathan Cain were guests of ORACLE TEAM USA and watched Sunday’s races. And it was Cain at the end of the night, saying, “We’d like to dedicate our last song… There’s some amazing athletes out there on the Bay — ORACLE TEAM USA.” Partial proceeds from ticket sales will go to the America’s Cup Healthy Ocean Project’s local Bay Area initiative to benefit and the restore the San Francisco Bay, managed by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the State Coastal Conservancy. The project is an environmental restoration project to remove toxic derelict pier pilings from San Francisco Bay, which will leave a legacy of a cleaner and safer marine environment. The next concert at the America’s Cup Pavilion is Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes on September 20.
Barclay: The Best America’s Cup Ever?
9/16/2013 Read More

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-18231" alt="15/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA,CA) - 34th America's Cup - Final Match, Day 6" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD14_2365-780x519.jpeg" width="780" height="519" /> “We have now seen more passing in this Cup than any other dating back to the first defense in 1870.” - Gary Jobson, NBC commentator. “Yesterday’s race 10 in the 34th America’s Cup match between Team New Zealand and ORACLE TEAM USA will, according to many observers, go down in the history books as one of the greatest sailboat races of all time.” – New Zealand Herald Tuesday Sept 17. “I knew these boats were great for fleet racing but not for match racing. But match racing when they are equal like today is amazing. It will be difficult to go back.” – Bruno Troublé, instigator of the Louis Vuitton Cup. “If you didn’t enjoy [Sunday’s] racing then I think you should probably find another sport.” - Dean Barker, skipper Emirates Team New Zealand <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18232" alt="Day 4 of the Final Match at 34th America's Cup" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/RP_AC34SepD11_1434-780x519.jpeg" width="584" height="388" /> There is a theme running through these quotes: this high adrenalin, fast, on-the-edge racing is actually pretty good. This sentiment is a far cry from the cynicism several columnists and reporters displayed only a few short weeks ago. Nothing is 100% perfect and everything is open to fair comment. But while the critics were quick to pounce earlier, where are the same columnists and reporters’ opinions now? <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18233" alt="15/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA CA) - 34th America's Cup -" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/AK_AC34SepD14_4361-780x519.jpeg" width="584" height="388" /> Similarly the collective silence from San Francisco’s elected officials is deafening. This against a backdrop of the often abused economics of the America’s Cup. The facts are the City’s general fund will be close to breaking even and San Francisco has and will receive hundreds of millions in direct economic benefit and thousands of jobs. Beyond this, there are the intangible benefits of having the city on show in our race broadcasts in 170 territories around the world along with the social media chatter of visitors having a fantastic time in the city. In the absence of reading it anywhere else, let me give credit where credit is due. Larry Ellison could have chosen anywhere in the world to host the racing and he chose San Francisco. He and Russell Coutts set a bold vision and delivered it. Sure, we wanted more challengers but like all America’s Cup editions, what we remember, what captures our imagination, is the Finals, the actual competition for the America’s Cup…what we are seeing on the Bay right now. Thank you San Francisco for voting with your feet in the thousands. Some 700,000 of you so far have packed our official venues to the point of us having to halt entry. You could more than double that number if you count the unofficial sites along the waterfront, and this America’s Cup not over yet. Whether it is the official venues – America’s Cup Park at Piers 27/29 and America’s Cup Village at Marina Green, or the public vantage points all along the city front, such as Crissy Field, Fort Mason or Aquatic Park, you are witnessing a vision delivered. <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18234" alt="FDK_AC34SepD14_0066" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/FDK_AC34SepD14_0066-780x519.jpeg" width="584" height="388" /> Enjoy the climax of what could be the best America’s Cup ever, San Francisco’s America’s Cup. Stephen Barclay CEO, America’s Cup Event Authority <a href="https://twitter.com/stephenjbarclay" target="_blank">@stephenjbarclay</a>
34th America’s Cup delivers more heart-pounding action as teams split the day
9/15/2013 Read More

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-18216" alt="15/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA,CA) - 34th America's Cup - Final Match, Day 6" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD14_2503-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18217" alt="Day 6 of the Final Match at 34th America's Cup" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/RP_AC34SepD14_9966-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18218" alt="15/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA,CA) - 34th America's Cup - Final Match, Day 6" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD14_2486-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18219" alt="Day 6 of the Final Match at 34th America's Cup" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/RP_AC34SepD14_3037-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18220" alt="Day 6 of the Final Match at 34th America's Cup" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/RP_AC34SepD14_3016-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18221" alt="Day 6 of the Final Match at 34th America's Cup" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/RP_AC34SepD14_2761-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18222" alt="Day 6 of the Final Match at 34th America's Cup" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/RP_AC34SepD14_2658-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18223" alt="15/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA,CA) - 34th America's Cup - Final Match, Day 6" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD14_2365-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18224" alt="15/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA,CA) - 34th America's Cup - Final Match, Day 6" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD14_2440-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18225" alt="15/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA,CA) - 34th America's Cup - Final Match, Day 6" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD14_2410-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18226" alt="15/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA CA) - 34th America's Cup -" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/AK_AC34SepD14_4361-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18227" alt="FDK_AC34SepD14_0251" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/FDK_AC34SepD14_0251-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18228" alt="15/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA,CA) - 34th America's Cup - Final Match, Day 6" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD14_2361-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /> In what ranks as one of the most enthralling races from start to finish in America’s Cup history, Emirates Team New Zealand scored a 16-second victory in Race 10 of the 34th America’s Cup. The win came after ORACLE TEAM USA scored a 47-second victory in Race 9 to gain its first point of the series. Another large crowd estimated above 35,000 was on hand at the two America’s Cup venues on the shores of San Francisco Bay taking in the action on a sun-drenched day. In its 162-year history the America’s Cup has rarely delivered such close racing. The 1983 match goes down as the closest in terms of needing all seven races and the 2007 match goes down as the closest in terms of average finish time. Rarely have two crews traded tacks and jibes all the way around the racecourse as Emirates Team New Zealand and ORACLE TEAM USA have in the last three races. Certainly crews in the past weren’t approaching each other at closing speeds in excess of 70 knots. It’s simply heart-pounding, hair-raising action. The new look America’s Cup was captured today in Race 10, where the lead changed hands four times in the 10-nautical mile race and the four mark roundings had deltas of 3 seconds, 11 seconds, 1 second and 11 seconds. The lead changed hands three times alone on the 3-nautical-mile windward leg. “If you didn’t enjoy today’s racing you should probably watch another sport,” said Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker, competing in his fourth America’s Cup. “I can honestly say this is the most fun and exciting sailing I’ve been involved with,” said ORACLE TEAM USA tactician Ben Ainslie, a four-time Olympic gold medalist. With today’s split Emirates Team New Zealand leads on the scoreboard 7-1. The winner of the 34th America’s Cup will be the first team to score 9 points. For the Kiwis that means two additional race wins and for ORACLE TEAM USA it means eight. ORACLE TEAM USA’s first two victories don’t count towards its scoreline due to a penalty imposed by the International Jury. ORACLE TEAM USA won Race 9 with a wire-to-wire performance. Skipper Jimmy Spithill did a masterful job in the pre-start, gaining a position to leeward of Emirates Team New Zealand late in the 2-minute sequence and preventing the Kiwis from entering the racecourse. Spithill and crew led at the first mark 4 seconds and then sped away from the challenger, gaining time on every leg of the course with its new found boatspeed. “This is a development boat. Like any racing sport, whether it’s F1 or Moto GP, you’re constantly learning how to race them,” said Spithill of the AC72, the first of which was launched just over one year ago. “We finally get to the race now, and this is the most we learn. Hindsight’s a beautiful thing, but what’s important is how you react and go forward. Even today we have a heap of stuff we’d like to do to the boat.” Emirates Team New Zealand reacted to losing Race 9 by bouncing back with a thrilling win in Race 10. This time the Kiwis got the better of the defender in the pre-start, coming off the line positioned to leeward. That was key because ORACLE TEAM USA nearly rolled them on the high-speed reach to the first mark, but the Kiwis’ position allowed them to control the action around the turning mark. The fireworks came on the upwind leg. The two crews met seven different times on the leg and the lead changed hands three times. ORACLE TEAM USA got the better of the last cross and led around the windward gate by 1 second. Emirates Team New Zealand, however, got a split that allowed it to regain the lead at the first meeting on the ensuing downwind leg, and that meeting was the one that finally decided the race. ORACLE TEAM USA was on port tack and had to keep clear of the Kiwis, who were on starboard. ORACLE TEAM USA decided to cross behind and get to the left, but according to Ainslie they had few options. “It was pretty close on that run to the finish,” said Ainslie. “The situation where we were, if we jibed before Team New Zealand they would’ve been in a strong position to defend, so we elected to go behind and hope for a piece when they jibed back. It’s really hard to judge that right when you’re going along at almost 40 knots. We didn’t do too bad a job, but it wasn’t quite enough to get back into it.” The win brought a level of relief to Barker as it stemmed ORACLE TEAM USA’s two race winning streak, going back to yesterday. “It was very important to bounce back after the first race; the Oracle boat sailed a great race and gave us no opportunities,” said Barker. “The second race was close across the first reach; they touched the water once, which gave us the lead at the mark. We felt strong at the bottom mark but they sailed a good upwind leg and were right there at the top.” Racing resumes Tuesday with Races 11 and 12, scheduled for 1:15 pm PT and 2:15 pm PT. In the U.S., the America’s Cup Finals will be broadcast live on the NBC Sports Network. Replays will be available on the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/americascup" target="_blank">America’s Cup YouTube channel</a>. Internationally, the America’s Cup Final can be viewed in more than 170 territories. All racing is also live on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/americascup" target="_blank">America’s Cup YouTube channel</a> (subject to territorial restrictions). You can also follow racing with America’s Cup App for android and iOS devices. —Sean McNeill 34th America’s Cup Standings (first to 9 points wins) <ul> <li>Emirates Team New Zealand – 7</li> <li>ORACLE TEAM USA – 1</li> </ul> Race 9 Performance Data <ul> <li>Course: 5 Legs/10.02 nautical miles</li> <li>Elapsed Time: OTUSA – 21:53, ETNZ – 22:40</li> <li>Delta: OTUSA +:47</li> <li>Total distance sailed: OTUSA – 11.3 NM, ETNZ – 11.5 NM</li> <li>Average Speed: OTUSA – 31.63 knots (36 mph), ETNZ – 31.32 knots (36 mph)</li> <li>Top Speed: OTUSA – 42.52 knots (49 mph), ETNZ – 42.54 knots (49 mph)</li> <li>Windspeed: Average – 17.6 knots, Peak – 20.8 knots</li> <li>Number of Tacks/Jibes: OTUSA – 8/6, ETNZ – 8/8</li> </ul> Race 10 Performance Data <ul> <li>Course: 5 Legs/10.02 nautical miles</li> <li>Elapsed Time: ETNZ – 22:00, OTUSA – 22:16</li> <li>Delta: ETNZ +:16</li> <li>Total distance sailed: ETNZ – 11.8 NM, OTUSA – 11.7 NM</li> <li>Average Speed: ETNZ – 32.25 knots (37 mph), OTUSA – 31.76 knots (36 mph)</li> <li>Top Speed: ETNZ – 43.01 knots (49 mph), OTUSA – 44.98 knots (52 mph)</li> <li>Windspeed: Average – 18.3 knots, Peak – 22.3 knots</li> <li>Number of Tacks/Jibes: ETNZ – 7/7, OTUSA – 7/7</li> </ul> Upcoming America’s Cup Schedule <ul> <li>Monday, Sept. 16: No racing scheduled</li> <li>Tuesday, Sept. 17: Race 11 (1:15 pm PT), Race 12 (2:15 pm PT)</li> <li>Wednesday, Sept. 18: Race 13* (1:15 pm PT), Race 14* (2:15 pm PT)</li> <li>Thursday, Sept. 19: Race 15* (1:15 pm PT), Race 16* (2:15 pm PT) (*If necessary)</li> </ul> <iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='584' height='359' src='http://www.youtube.com/embed/gI23dMgAD_k?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent' frameborder='0'></iframe>
Day 6 racing blog
9/15/2013 Read More

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-18214" alt="_B1_6375-1" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/B1_6375-1-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /><img class="aligncenter wp-image-18213" alt="14/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA,CA) - 34th America's Cup - Final Match, Day 5" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD12_1958-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /><img class="aligncenter wp-image-18208" alt="14/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA,CA) - 34th America's Cup - Final Match, Day 5" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD12_21121-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> UPDATE: 1456 hours Emirates Team New Zealand earned a split of the day with ORACLE TEAM USA after winning a thrilling Race 10 by 16 seconds. The Kiwis held the lead early in the race, but the defender made a huge charge on the upwind leg and rounded the windward gate with a 1 second advantage. The two crews split early on the ensuing run and when they came back together it was the Kiwis with starboard advantage and the lead, which they held to the finish. The lead changed hands four times in the race. Emirates Team New Zealand leads on the scoreboard 7-1, and 7-3 in wins. The winner of the 34th America’s Cup will be the first team to win 9 points. For the Kiwis that means two additional race wins and for ORACLE TEAM USA it means eight. ORACLE TEAM USA isn’t credited with its first two wins of the match due to a penalty imposed by the International Jury. 34th America’s Cup Standings (first to 9 points wins) <ul> <li>Emirates Team New Zealand – 7</li> <li>ORACLE TEAM USA – 1</li> </ul> Race 10 Performance Data <ul> <li>Course: 5 Legs/10.02 nautical miles</li> <li>Elapsed Time: ETNZ – 22:00, OTUSA – 22:16</li> <li>Delta: ETNZ +:16</li> <li>Total distance sailed: ETNZ – 11.8 NM, OTUSA – 11.7 NM</li> <li>Average Speed: ETNZ – 32.25 knots (37 mph), OTUSA – 31.76 knots (36 mph)</li> <li>Top Speed: ETNZ – 43.01 knots (49 mph), OTUSA – 44.98 knots (52 mph)</li> <li>Windspeed: Average – 18.3 knots, Peak – 22.3 knots</li> <li>Number of Tacks/Jibes: ETNZ – 7/7, OTUSA – 7/7</li> </ul> UPDATE: 1442 hours ORACLE TEAM USA and Emirates Team New Zealand went through the windward gate on opposite tacks and virtually tied, with ORACLE TEAM USA holding a slim 1 second lead. UPDATE: 1432 hours With the two crews pacing downwind at 38-40 knots of boatspeed, Emirates Team New Zealand extended its slim 3-second advantage at the first turning mark to 11 seconds at the leeward gate. The wind is still whistling through the rigs, blowing 18-20 knots as the crews head upwind on opposite tacks. UPDATE: 1427 hours Emirates Team New Zealand starts to leeward of ORACLE TEAM USA but the defender had speed on the reach and nearly rolled over the top. Emirates Team New Zealand’s leeward position kept it in the lead by 3 seconds at the reach mark. UPDATE: 1415 hours The start of Race 10 has been delayed to 1426 hours, due to 30-second winds in excess of the 21.4-knot limit. The clock is restarted and the wind limit is also increased to 21.5 knots. UPDATE: 1400 hours Race 10 is scheduled to start at 1415. The wind limit is raised to 21.4 knots for the race and the wind reports from the course show the wind from 250 degrees between 18 and 21 knots. UPDATE: 1348 hours Post-race comments: Dean Barker: “They’re going well. They’ve stepped up. We always expected they would. It’s hard racing… We didn’t get off the start line as we would have liked… We’ll look to do a much better job in the next race this afternoon. “We felt like we were going just fine. I think they made a nice gain at the bottom gate. It was always going to be hard… they’ve found another gear in these conditions. “We know this is going to be a battle, we’ve been saying this from the start… We know we have to keep pushing hard.” Jimmy Spithill: “What a fantastic effort by the boys. They really, really dug in. It was a physical race. Last night we tuned up the software for the pre-start and we had a great game plan for the start today. Full credit to coach Philippe Presti…” UPDATE: 1343 hours ORACLE TEAM USA is a team renewed with vigor after winning Race 9 of the 34th America’s Cup. The defender won the race by 47 seconds over Emirates Team New Zealand in a wire-to-wire victory, one that puts the team’s first point on the scoreboard. Emirates Team New Zealand leads on the scoreboard 6-1, and 6-3 in wins. The winner of the 34th America’s Cup will be the first team to win 9 points. For the Kiwis that means three additional race wins and for ORACLE TEAM USA it means eight. ORACLE TEAM USA isn’t credited with its first two wins of the match due to a penalty imposed by the International Jury. 34th America’s Cup Standings (first to 9 points wins) <ul> <li>Emirates Team New Zealand – 6</li> <li>ORACLE TEAM USA – 1</li> </ul> Race 9 Performance Data <ul> <li>Course: 5 Legs/10.02 nautical miles</li> <li>Elapsed Time: OTUSA – 21:53, ETNZ – 22:40</li> <li>Delta: OTUSA +:47</li> <li>Total distance sailed: OTUSA – 11.3 NM, ETNZ – 11.5 NM</li> <li>Average Speed: OTUSA – 31.63 knots (36 mph), ETNZ – 31.32 knots (36 mph)</li> <li>Top Speed: OTUSA – 42.52 knots (49 mph), ETNZ – 42.54 knots (49 mph)</li> <li>Windspeed: Average – 17.6 knots, Peak – 20.8 knots</li> <li>Number of Tacks/Jibes: OTUSA – 8/6, ETNZ – 8/8</li> </ul> UPDATE: 1330 hours ORACLE TEAM USA had great speed on the upwind leg and sailed away from Emirates Team New Zealand. On the 3-nautical-mile leg, the defender stretched its lead from 18 seconds to 33 seconds at the windward gate, beginning the run home. UPDATE: 1320 hours ORACLE TEAM USA opened its lead on Emirates Team New Zealand to 18 seconds at the leeward gate. There was a split with ORACLE TEAM USA rounding on port and the Kiwis on starboard. UPDATE: 1316 hours ORACLE TEAM USA got the better of the Race 9 start, controlling Emirates Team New Zealand from a leeward position and stalling the match before the two took to the racecourse. ORACLE TEAM USA held a lead of 4 seconds at the first mark. UPDATE: 1300 hours ORACLE TEAM USA will have port tack in the Race 9 pre-start maneuvers. The wind is blowing from 235 degrees at 18.7 knots, with a peak of 20.7 knots. UPDATE: 1220 hours With about 50 minutes to the start of Race 9 the wind is blowing 15 to 18 knots from about 250 degrees. UPDATE: 1110 hours Today stands as perhaps the most pivotal day in the 34th America’s Cup. ORACLE TEAM USA won yesterday’s Race 8 by 52 seconds after Emirates Team New Zealand narrowly averted a capsize that could’ve put paid to their dream of winning the Cup. Conversely, the win has breathed new life into the defender’s dream of retaining the Cup. ORACLE TEAM USA appeared a faster boat upwind yesterday than it had been in the first four days of racing. A series of modifications on Friday and technique changes seems to have put the defender even with the Kiwis on the upwind leg. More importantly, yesterday’s victory meant that ORACLE TEAM USA had finally exonerated the penalty imposed by the International Jury. Now, ORACLE TEAM USA starts scoring points with each victory. If ORACLE TEAM USA can win both of today’s scheduled races, the series starts getting tight for Emirates Team New Zealand. But if the Kiwis sweep today they move to match point and would need one more win to ORACLE TEAM USA’s nine to win the America’s Cup. A split would simply help the Kiwis run out the clock. Races 9 and 10 are scheduled to start at 1315 and 1415, respectively, and ORACLE TEAM USA has the advantage of port tack in the pre-start maneuvers. The weather forecast is calling for strong winds, which might again be up against the wind limits that have been lowered due to an ebb (outgoing) tide. The base wind limit of 23 knots is reduced to 20.8 knots in Race 9 and 21.4 knots in Race 10. “If you believe the weather forecasters, we’ll get two races today; the weather forecasts are talking 18-20 knots,” said Regatta Director Iain Murray. “Today we have a quite strong ebb tide. As we saw yesterday, that makes for a nice even racecourse. It’s good and bad in a way that they’re strong, 2.2 knots in the first race reducing to 1.6 in the second, so a relatively low windspeed. “The bad news side is that the wind was up to 18 knots earlier,” Murray continued. “It’s come down to 14 knots as the temperature differential further east and here evens out. So it’s going to be close again today. As we keep saying it’s a microclimate and a lot changes quickly.” In the U.S., the America’s Cup Finals will be broadcast live on the NBC Sports Network. Replays will be available on the America’s Cup YouTube channel. Internationally, the America’s Cup Final can be viewed in more than 170 territories. All racing is also live on America’s Cup YouTube channel (subject to territorial restrictions). You can also follow racing with <a href="http://www.americascup.com/en/apps" target="_blank">America’s Cup App</a> for android and iOS devices. UPDATE: 0925 hours ORACLE TEAM USA Crew List Skipper: Jimmy Spithill (9), Tactician: Ben Ainslie (12), Strategist: Tom Slingsby (10), Wing trimmer: Kyle Langford (8), Jib trimmer: Joe Newton (5), Off-side trimmer: Rome Kirby (4), Grinders: Shannon Falcone (1), Joe Spooner (2), Jono MacBeth (3), Gillo Nobili (6), Simeon Tienpont (7) Emirates Team New Zealand Crew List Skipper/helmsman: Dean Barker (14), Tactician: Ray Davies (10), Wing Trimmer: Glenn Ashby (3), Trimmer: James Dagg (9), Bow: Adam Beashel (2), Pit: Jeremy Lomas (8), Pedestal 1: Chris Ward (7), Pedestal 2: Rob Waddell (11), Pedestal 3: Grant Dalton (6), Pedestal 4: Chris McAsey (5), Float/Grinder: Derek Saward (12) Today in America’s Cup history September 15 is notable for six instances in America’s Cup history: <ul> <li>1887: Volunteer is selected by the New York Yacht Club as the defender yacht to meet Scots challenger Thistle. Thistle was designed by Scotsman George Lennox Watson, whose reputation as a revolutionary and highly successful designer was well known in America where his yachts were winning regatta after regatta, putting considerable fear into the NYYC that the Cup was at risk. Thistle’s challenge resulted in the Deed of Gift to be re-written after the match and it remains the document governing racing for the America’s Cup today.</li> <li>1930, Race 2, Shamrock V vs. Enterprise – Enterprise wins by 9:34. Shamrock V was Sir Thomas Lipton’s last challenge for the Americas Cup and the first match between yachts built to a class rule, removing a long standing complaint of injustice from the challenger, which had to build a yacht capable of withstanding an oceanic voyage to the venue, while the defender could build a lightweight defender yacht.</li> <li>1962, Race 1, Gretel vs. Weatherly – Weatherly wins by 3:43. The first non-British challenge for the America’s Cup and the first Australian challenge. It would take seven challenges over 21 years of effort for Australia to win the Cup.</li> <li>1964, Race 1, Sovereign vs. Constellation – Constellation wins by 5:54. Affectionately known as “Connie,” Constellation holds the record for the greatest victory margin during the 12-Meter era, 20:24. It was the 16th and last British challenge in a match for the America’s Cup, which Sovereign lost 4-0 (there were two Canadian challenges in 1876 and 1881).</li> <li>1970, Race 1, Gretel II vs. Intrepid – Intrepid wins by 5:52. Gretel II was Sir Frank Packer’s last challenge for the Cup before he passed the torch to Alan Bond. It was after a controversial protest during this series that Packer memorably announced, “An Australian skipper complaining to the New York Yacht Club Committee is like complaining to his mother-in-law about his wife”</li> <li>1983, Race 2, Australia II vs. Liberty – Liberty wins by 1:33 after Australia II sails into a hole mid-way through the race, to go up 2-0 in the first-to-four series against the highly touted Australia II, and it looked as if the Defender would win again and the old order would continue.</li> </ul> America’s Cup Park 10:00 am – America’s Cup Park opens, free access to the public 11:00 am – AC72s on moorings 11:00 am – America’s Cup Trophy on display, Big A, Main entrance until 12:00 11:45 am – Dock-Out Show, Presentation Stage 12:45 pm – Pre-Race Show with Andy Green and Tucker Thompson 1:00 pm – “America’s Cup Race Show” includes live commentary from 1:10pm 1:00 pm – America’s Cup Trophy on display, Flying on Water until 2:00 1:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 9: ORACLE Team USA vs. Emirates Team New Zealand 2:00 pm – Arr Hour: MOA Bar Drinks Specials – Beer Garden until 6:30 2:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 10: ORACLE Team USA vs. Emirates Team New Zealand 3:00 pm – Post-Race Q&A with Andy Green and Tucker Thompson 3:00 pm – DJ Set: DJ Puzzles from New Zealand at Moa Bar Beer Garden, until 6:00 3:15 pm – Poster Signing with team representatives from ORACLE Team USA 4:00 pm – Poster signing with team representatives from Emirates Team New Zealand 4:00 pm – Race Replay- North Point & Plaza America’s Cup Village 11:00 am – America’s Cup Village opens, free access to the public 11:05 am – Morning welcome and schedule for the day – main stage 11:45 am – Dock-Out Show live from America’s Cup Park (Pier 27/29) – on the big screens 12:45 pm – Pre-Race Show live from the America’s Cup Park – on the main stage big screen 1:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 9: ORACLE Team USA vs. Emirates Team New Zealand 1:45 pm – Halftime Show shown on the America’s Cup Village big screens 2:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 10: ORACLE Team USA vs. Emirates Team New Zealand 2:50 pm – Post-Race Show – on the main stage big screen 3:00 pm – Post-Race Q&A live from the America’s Cup Park – on the main stage big screen 4:00 pm – Race Replay – shown on the main stage big screen 5:00 pm – America’s Cup Village closes ORIGINAL POST: 0700 hours If the sixth day of the 34th America’s Cup is anything like the first five, there’ll be no shortage of action to take your breath away. Some of the highlights to date: <ul> <li>Yesterday, Emirates Team New Zealand was “half a degree” away from capsizing and potentially ruining their bid to win the “Auld Mug.”</li> <li>In Race 4 on Thursday, the Kiwis played a game of chicken with ORACLE TEAM USA known as a “dial-down,” where the right-of-way yacht (the Kiwis) makes a course straight for its opponent (ORACLE TEAM USA). In this case, the closing speeds were in excess of 40 knots, white-knuckle stuff more akin to a demolition derby.</li> <li>At various times throughout the regatta ORACLE TEAM USA has stuffed both bows, worrying onlookers who remember last fall’s incident when the defender capsized and nearly lost its first AC72.</li> </ul> “These boats demand a huge amount of respect. Everyone who has sailed one has that respect,” said Kiwi skipper Dean Barker. “We don’t think these boats are dangerous. You have to manage everything and be on your game. There are all sorts of examples of danger in sport. When pushing on the edge it’s going to be dangerous at times.” Races 9 and 10 of the series are scheduled today, scheduled to start at 1315 and 1415. Despite yesterday’s loss in Race 8, the Kiwis still hold a 6-point lead. The 52-second victory was important for the defender because now it’s back at square one. ORACLE TEAM USA had been saddled with a penalty imposed by the International Jury that prevented it from scoring points until after its first two victories. Now that those victories are on the board, skipper Jimmy Spithill says the points won’t be far behind. “I think we’ve gained a lot in that we’ve improved our boat,” Spithill said yesterday afternoon of the modifications made on Friday. “We came from behind on the upwind leg and passed. That’s a huge confidence booster and exactly what we needed. The guys have more ideas and we’ll come out (today) trying to step it up once more.”
Near disaster for challenger as defender wins for second time
9/14/2013 Read More

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-18194" alt="14/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA CA) - 34th America's Cup -" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/AK_AC34SepD13_4326-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18204" alt="14/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA,CA) - 34th America's Cup - Final Match, Day 5" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD12_19651-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18205" alt="14/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA,CA) - 34th America's Cup - Final Match, Day 5" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD12_1969-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18196" alt="GB_AC34_SepD13_5602" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GB_AC34_SepD13_5602-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18197" alt="14/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA,CA) - 34th America's Cup - Final Match, Day 5" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD12_1987-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18198" alt="14/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA,CA) - 34th America's Cup - Final Match, Day 5" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD12_2106-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18199" alt="14/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA,CA) - 34th America's Cup - Final Match, Day 5" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD12_2112-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18200" alt="14/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA CA) - 34th America's Cup -" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/AK_AC34SepD13_3491-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18201" alt="14/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA,CA) - 34th America's Cup - Final Match, Day 5" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD12_1953-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18202" alt="14/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA CA) - 34th America's Cup -" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/AK_AC34SepD13_3907-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> <img class="aligncenter wp-image-18203" alt="14/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA,CA) - 34th America's Cup - Final Match, Day 5" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD12_1897-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> A crowd of some 50,000 people flocked to the shores of San Francisco Bay to take in the 34th America’s Cup and were treated to heart-stopping action between defender ORACLE TEAM USA and challenger Emirates Team New Zealand. Only one race was held today, but tonight fans of the defender see a chance for a comeback after a 52-second victory in Race 8. Fans of the challenger are thankful their AC72 is still upright and in one piece, safely tucked back in the team base after a <a href="http://youtu.be/yoOjcDf_dJA" target="_blank">near capsize on the upwind leg</a>. “We got about as close as you can possibly get to having the thing end up on its side,” said Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker, who was stuck in the leeward hull looking up at the rest of the 46-foot wide catamaran. “We still take a lot of positives out of today. We’re still very happy with the way the boat’s going and there are still things we can improve. We’ll be out there fighting for points tomorrow.” Emirates Team New Zealand still leads on the scoreboard 6-0, and 6-2 in wins. The winner of the 34th America’s Cup will be the first team to win 9 points. For the Kiwis that means three additional race wins and for ORACLE TEAM USA it means nine. But now that its second victory is in the books, ORACLE TEAM USA has exonerated the penalty imposed by the International Jury and will start receiving points for race wins beginning with its next victory. “It’s what the team needed. I can’t tell you how hard the team around us works,” said ORACLE TEAM USA skipper Jimmy Spithill. “We’ve been saying it in house that we can win races. We don’t care what the scoreline is. At some point it’s going to turn. Today was a big moment for us. We clearly made a step in the boat’s performance. It’s a big step and a key moment in the regatta.” ORACLE TEAM USA spent yesterday in the boatshed making a series of minor modifications in the quest for more speed. The “mods” seemed to pay off when the defender took the action to Emirates Team New Zealand on the upwind leg of Race 8, a reversal of what had played out in the first four days of racing. Spithill wouldn’t say what changes were made to the team’s AC72, other than the forward bowsprit being removed, which saves a bit of weight. ORACLE TEAM USA won Race 8 after trailing off the start line and at the first two mark roundings, but its win was aided by Emirates Team New Zealand’s near capsize on the 3-nautical-mile upwind leg. The crews had been engaged in a tacking duel and had traded four tacks. At the fifth meeting about three-quarters up the leg Emirates Team New Zealand attempted to tack to starboard and to leeward of ORACLE TEAM USA. But the crew had a problem with the hydraulics and the wing didn’t “pop” onto the new tack. With the wing inverted Emirates Team New Zealand’s starboard hull rose high in the air to the point where it was on the precipice of capsizing. The crew kept grinding away to restore hydraulic power and the wing was eventually straightened out. The starboard hull slammed back in the water, the boat upright. Had it gone over there’s no telling what damage could’ve occurred to the boat, crew or the team’s hopes of winning the America’s Cup. “We were having a good tussle with the Oracle boys, getting near the top of the upwind,” said Barker. “It was sort of a marginal cross and we made the call to tack to leeward. We were a little bit rushed and we missed the hydraulics. If you don’t get the hydraulics and the boat tacks, the wind starts sucking the boat over. We got about as close as you can possibly get to having the thing end up on its side.” After a break of some 30 minutes, the two crews lined up for the start of Race 9, and again Barker got the better of Spithill. The Kiwis came off the line ahead of ORACLE TEAM USA, led by 4 seconds at the first mark and 7 seconds at the leeward gate. As the two crews began the upwind leg on opposite sides of the racecourse, the race committee abandoned the race because the windspeed exceeded the prescribed race limit of 22.6 knots. Racing resumes tomorrow with Races 9 and 10, scheduled for 1:15 pm PT and 2:15 pm PT. In the U.S., the America’s Cup Finals will be broadcast live on the NBC Sports Network. Replays will be available on the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/americascup" target="_blank">America’s Cup YouTube channel</a>. Internationally, the America’s Cup Final can be viewed in more than 170 territories. All racing is also live on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/americascup" target="_blank">America’s Cup YouTube channel</a> (subject to territorial restrictions). You can also follow racing with America’s Cup App for android and iOS devices. —Sean McNeill 34th America’s Cup Standings (first to 9 points wins) <ul> <li>Emirates Team New Zealand – 6</li> <li>ORACLE TEAM USA – 0</li> </ul> Race 8 Performance Data <ul> <li>Course: 5 Legs/10.16 nautical miles</li> <li>Elapsed Time: OTUSA – 23:09, ETNZ – 24:01</li> <li>Delta: OTUSA +:52</li> <li>Total distance sailed: OTUSA – 11.4 NM, ETNZ – 11.7 NM</li> <li>Average Speed: OTUSA – 29.90 knots (34 mph), ETNZ – 29.32 knots (34 mph)</li> <li>Top Speed: OTUSA – 44.58 knots (51 mph), ETNZ – 47.02 knots (54 mph)</li> <li>Windspeed: Average – 16.6 knots, Peak – 19.6 knots</li> <li>Number of Tacks/Jibes: OTUSA – 8/8, ETNZ – 9/7</li> </ul> Upcoming America’s Cup Schedule <ul> <li>Sunday, Sept. 15: Race 9 (1:15 pm PT), Race 10 (2:15 pm PT)</li> <li>Monday, Sept. 16: No racing scheduled</li> <li>Tuesday, Sept. 17: Race 11 (1:15 pm PT), Race 12* (2:15 pm PT)</li> <li>Wednesday, Sept. 18: Race 13* (1:15 pm PT), Race 14* (2:15 pm PT)</li> <li>Thursday, Sept. 19: Race 15* (1:15 pm PT), Race 16* (2:15 pm PT) (*If necessary)</li> </ul> <iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='584' height='359' src='http://www.youtube.com/embed/M11shiFtGO0?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent' frameborder='0'></iframe>
Day 5 racing blog
9/14/2013 Read More

<img class="aligncenter wp-image-18190" alt="GMR12146" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR12146-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /><img class="aligncenter wp-image-18189" alt="AK1_1605" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/AK1_1605-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /><img class="aligncenter wp-image-18188" alt="DSC_1829" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/DSC_1829-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /><img class="aligncenter wp-image-18185" alt="GMR11837" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR11837-780x520.jpg" width="780" height="520" /><img class="aligncenter wp-image-18178" alt="10/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA,CA) - 34th America's Cup - Final Match - Day 3" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD9_9516-780x519.jpg" width="780" height="519" /> UPDATE: 1431 hours Emirates Team New Zealand rounds the leeward gate on starboard, 7 seconds ahead of ORACLE TEAM USA, which rounds on port, creating another split at the beginning of the beat. But moments after the rounding the Race Committee was forced to abandon the race because the wind strength surpassed the 22.6-knot limit set for Race 9. UPDATE: 1425 hours Emirates Team New Zealand comes off the start line to leeward and slightly bow out on ORACLE TEAM USA. Another ripping drag race to the reach mark sees the Kiwis reach it first, 4 seconds in the lead. UPDATE: 1420 hours The wind is a steady 20 knots but the start of Race 9 has entered the 5-minute mark. UPDATE: 1343 hours ORACLE TEAM USA won its second race of the 34th America’s Cup, Race 8 of the series, when Emirates Team New Zealand nearly capsized on the upwind leg. The two crews had met four times on the upwind leg with the Kiwis holding the advantage. At the fifth meeting Emirates Team New Zealand went to tack to starboard but the wing didn’t pop through and the 72-foot long catamaran was on the edge of capsizing. ORACLE TEAM USA grabbed the lead and extended to win by 52 seconds. “We’re all good; disappointed to let the lead go,” said Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker. “They got nicely out of phase and chipped away. We didn’t get the hydraulics and if the wing doesn’t tack when the boat does, you’re in trouble… Fortunately the boat came up and no collision with the other guys.” Emirates Team New Zealand still leads on the scoreboard 6-0, and in wins 6-2. The winner of the 34th America’s Cup will be the first team to win 9 points. For the Kiwis that means three additional race wins and for ORACLE TEAM USA it means nine, due to a penalty imposed by the International Jury. 34th America’s Cup Standings (first to 9 points wins) <ul> <li>Emirates Team New Zealand – 6</li> <li>ORACLE TEAM USA – 0</li> </ul> Race 8 Performance Data <ul> <li>Course: 5 Legs/10.16 nautical miles</li> <li>Elapsed Time: OTUSA – 23:09, ETNZ – 24:01</li> <li>Delta: OTUSA +:52</li> <li>Total distance sailed: OTUSA – 11.4 NM, ETNZ – 11.7 NM</li> <li>Average Speed: OTUSA – 29.90 knots (34 mph), ETNZ – 29.32 knots (34 mph)</li> <li>Top Speed: OTUSA – 44.58 knots (51 mph), ETNZ – 47.02 knots (54 mph)</li> <li>Windspeed: Average – 16.6 knots, Peak – 19.6 knots</li> <li>Number of Tacks/Jibes: OTUSA – 8/8, ETNZ – 9/7</li> </ul> UPDATE: 1332 hours ORACLE TEAM USA leads around the windward gate after a captivating beat. Emirates Team New Zealand was protecting its lead in four crossings up the leg until the fifth cross. Emirates Team New Zealand tried to tack to leeward but the wing didn’t pop to the new side and the boat nearly capsized. ORACLE TEAM USA led by 28 seconds at the gate. UPDATE: 1320 hours Emirates Team New Zealand leads by 8 seconds at the leeward gate. The Kiwis took starboard through the gate and ORACLE TEAM USA port beginning the 3-nautical-mile beat that’s been an Achilles heel for the defender. UPDATE: 1316 hours Emirates Team New Zealand came off the start line just in front of ORACLE TEAM USA, which was trying for a late hook in the pre-start. Both boats’ bows were buried as they were getting up to speed, but the Kiwis converted the lead off the start line into a 3-second advantage at the first reach mark. UPDATE: 1310 hours The wind is still blowing 17-18 knots from 255 degrees. From Jimmy Spithill before boarding: “We’ve taken the spine off, so no option for the Code 0. We’ll save some weight there and have made other changes to boat. We’ve been very aggressive, but we need to be.” UPDATE: 1300 hours Counting down 15 minutes to the start of Race 8 and the windspeed is up to 18 knots from 260-265 degrees, farther right than we’ve seen in the first four days of racing. UPDATE: 1235 hours The skies have cleared in San Francisco after heavy clouds this morning and the first wind reports are in from the racecourse: 16 to 17 knots from an average of 255 degrees. UPDATE: 1150 hours At his morning briefing, Regatta Director Iain Murray said that both ORACLE TEAM USA and Emirates Team New Zealand had been issued new rating certificates. Although he didn’t elaborate on the extent of the modifications, one is very clear on the defender’s yacht: a new, shorter bowsprit (see picture). UPDATE: 1110 hours The wind is forecast to be near the top end of the range at 19-23 knots and the second race could bump up against the wind limit. PRO John Craig says, “It’s going to be windy today.” Compounding the problem is an ebb (outgoing) tide, which reduces the base wind limit of 23 knots. For the first race the wind limit is 21.7 knots and for the second it’s 22.6 knots. “The current flows quite differently on various parts of the racecourse,” said Regatta Director Iain Murray. “We see that with the yachts chasing the cone in behind Alcatraz in flood tides. Likewise, on the ebb tides, there’s a compression on the front side of Alcatraz, so there’s quite steep, short waves there, particularly in big ebb tides. With the compression coming around Alcatraz we can easily see 4 knots. When ORACLE TEAM USA capsized last year there was 6 knots there. Can be quite substantial seas off Alcatraz, and it has quite an effect on racecourse. “We had one day earlier in the series (last Saturday) when the wind was up on the limit,” Murray continued. “What we have today is ebb tide. At race time we’ll be on the tail end of the ebb tide, but the sea state will be up and then decreasing as the day goes on in our race period. The first race may not be at the wind limit, but I think the crews will experience the roughest water they’ve seen.” Emirates Team New Zealand has port entry in both pre-starts today. UPDATE: 0840 hours Today in America’s Cup history September 14 is notable for two instances in America’s Cup history: <ul> <li>1967, Race 3, Dame Pattie (AUS) v. Intrepid (USA) – Intrepid won by 4:41. Named for the wife of long-serving Australian Prime Minister Menzies, Dame Pattie was denied access to American-made Dacron sail cloth. That forced the Aussies to use a substitute, inferior sail cloth made in Australia.</li> <li>1983, Race 1, Australia II (AUS) v. Liberty (USA) – First race of the match that would go down in the history books as one of the most dramatic contests ever. Liberty wins by 1:10 after taking the lead with better downwind tactics on the first run. Australia II’s steering gear failed as she threatened to retake the lead on the second downwind leg, losing all hope of winning the first race.</li> </ul> ORACLE TEAM USA Crew List Skipper: Jimmy Spithill (9), Tactician: Ben Ainslie (12), Strategist: Tom Slingsby (10), Wing trimmer: Kyle Langford (8), Jib trimmer: Joe Newton (5), Off-side trimmer: Rome Kirby (4), Grinders: Shannon Falcone (1), Joe Spooner (2), Jono MacBeth (3), Gillo Nobili (6), Simeon Tienpont (7) Emirates Team New Zealand Crew List Skipper/helmsman: Dean Barker (14), Tactician: Ray Davies (10), Wing Trimmer: Glenn Ashby (3), Trimmer: James Dagg (9), Bow: Adam Beashel (2), Pit: Jeremy Lomas (8), Pedestal 1: Chris Ward (7), Pedestal 2: Rob Waddell (11), Pedestal 3: Race 8 – Winston MacFarlane (4), Race 9 – Grant Dalton (6), Pedestal 4: Chris McAsey (5), Float/Grinder: Derek Saward (12) America’s Cup Park 10:00 am – America’s Cup Park opens, free access to public 11:00 am – AC72s on moorings 11:00 am – America’s Cup Trophy on display, Big A, Main entrance until 12:00 11:15 am – Marching band starts at America’s Cup Park 11:45 am – Dock Out Show, Presentation Stage 12:00 pm – America’s Cup Trophy on display, Flying on Water until 1:00 12:15 pm – Q & A with Julian Guthrie, Presentation Stage 12:45 pm – Pre-Race Show with Andy Green and Tucker Thompson 1:00 pm – “America’s Cup Race Show” includes live commentary from 1:10pm 1:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 8: ORACLE Team USA vs Emirates Team New Zealand 2:00 pm – Arr Hour: MOA Bar Drinks Specials – Beer Garden until 6:30 2:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 9: ORACLE Team USA vs Emirates Team New Zealand 3:00 pm – Book signing with Julian Guthrie, author of “The Billionaire and the Mechanic,” until 5:00, outside the 34th America’s Cup Park Store 3:00 pm – Post-Race Q&A with Andy Green and Tucker Thompson 3:00 pm – DJ Set: DJ Puzzles from New Zealand at the Moa Bar Beer Garden, until 6:00 3:00 pm – Special Event: J. Rocc, DJ Day, and DJ Hakobo at the PUMA YARD, until 7:00 3:15 pm – Poster Signing with team representatives from ORACLE Team USA 4:00 pm – Poster signing with team representatives from Emirates Team New Zealand 4:00 pm – Race Replay: America’s Cup Final Races 5 & 6, North Point & Plaza America’s Cup Village 11:00 am – America’s Cup Village opens, free access to public 11:05 am – Morning welcome and schedule for the day – main stage 11:45 am – Dock-Out Show live from America’s Cup Park (Pier 27/29) – on the big screens 12:45 pm – Pre-Race Show live from the America’s Cup Park – on the main stage big screen 1:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 8: ORACLE Team USA vs. Emirates Team New Zealand 1:45 pm – Halftime Show shown on the America’s Cup Village big screens 2:15 pm – America’s Cup Final 9: ORACLE Team USA vs. Emirates Team New Zealand 2:50 pm – Post-Race Show – on the main stage big screen 3:00 pm – Post-Race Q&A live from the America’s Cup Park – on the main stage big screen 4:00 pm – Race Replay: America’s Cup Final Races 5 & 6 – shown on the main stage big screen ORIGINAL POST: 0700 hours Facing a barrage of “what if” performance questions at Thursday’s press conference, ORACLE TEAM USA skipper Jimmy Spithill put on a brave face. “The question is, imagine if those guys lost from here; what an upset that would be,” said Spithill. RELATED STORY: <a href="http://www.americascup.com/en/news/3/news/18117/emirates-team-new-zealand-sweeps-two-from-oracle-team-usa-in-2013-americas-cup-final" target="_blank">Emirates Team New Zealand sweeps two from ORACLE TEAM USA</a> Emirates Team New Zealand leads the 34th America’s Cup 6-0, with the goal being 9 points. In effect the defender needs to win 10 races due to the penalty from the International Jury. “They almost have it in the bag. That’s my motivation. That would be one hell of a comeback and something I’d like to be part of. I speak on behalf of all the team, that’s our motivation into the rest of the series. We feel we have just as much chance to win this and we’re going to do whatever we can,” said Spithill. RELATED STORY: <a href="http://www.americascup.com/en/news/3/news/18132/pedrick-ac72-technology-is-a-moon-shot" target="_blank">Pedrick: AC72 technology a ‘moon shot’</a> He gets to begin that comeback attempt today, with Races 8 and 9 of the series. ORACLE TEAM USA spent yesterday off the water resting and carrying out what the team termed as “minor modifications.” Will they add up? Emirates Team New Zealand also spent the day off the water, resting and recuperating for what could be the team’s final push to the winner’s circle. The Kiwis need three additional race victories to win the America’s Cup, and potentially four consecutive days of racing lie ahead if Monday’s scheduled reserve day comes into play. “It’s easy to get flustered when you’re tired,” said Emirates Team New Zealand wing trimmer Glenn Ashby. “Both teams have done a good job keeping their heads under pressure. Good maneuvers and speed in the corners are what make the little gains. We’ll keep chipping away.” RELATED STORY: <a href="http://www.americascup.com/en/news/3/news/18099/kiwis-lie-in-wait-as-oracle-team-usa-tries-to-find-the-answer" target="_blank">Kiwis lie in wait as ORACLE TEAM USA tries to find the answer</a> Racing today is scheduled to begin at 1315 and can be followed live in the U.S. on the NBC Sports Network, beginning at 1300. Internationally, the America’s Cup Final can be viewed in more than 170 territories. All racing is also live on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/americascup" target="_blank">America’s Cup YouTube channel</a> (subject to territorial restrictions). You can also follow racing with <a href="http://www.americascup.com/en/apps" target="_blank">America’s Cup App</a> for android and iOS devices.
Superyachts grace San Francisco Bay
9/13/2013 Read More

<img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18147" alt="13/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA CA) - 34th America's Cup -" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/AK_AC34SepD12_4559-780x519.jpg" width="584" height="388" /><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18183" alt="13/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA,CA) - 34th America's Cup -" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD12_1788_11-780x519.jpg" width="584" height="388" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18165" alt="13/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA CA) - 34th America's Cup -" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/AK_AC34SepD12_30641-780x519.jpg" width="584" height="388" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18166" alt="13/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA CA) - 34th America's Cup -" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/AK_AC34SepD12_32011-780x519.jpg" width="584" height="388" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18167" alt="GMR_AC34SepD12_0943" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD12_09431-780x519.jpg" width="584" height="388" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18168" alt="GMR_AC34SepD12_1229" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD12_12291-780x519.jpg" width="584" height="388" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18169" alt="GMR_AC34SepD12_1353" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD12_13531-780x519.jpg" width="584" height="388" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18170" alt="13/09/2013 - San Francisco (USA CA) - 34th America's Cup -" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/AK_AC34SepD12_38881-780x519.jpg" width="584" height="388" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18171" alt="GMR_AC34SepD12_1417" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD12_14171-780x519.jpg" width="584" height="388" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18172" alt="GMR_AC34SepD12_1475" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD12_14751-780x519.jpg" width="584" height="388" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18173" alt="GMR_AC34sepD12_1612" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34sepD12_16121-780x519.jpg" width="584" height="388" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18174" alt="GMR_AC34SepD12_1504" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD12_15041-780x519.jpg" width="584" height="388" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18175" alt="GMR_AC34sepD12_1628" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34sepD12_16281-780x519.jpg" width="584" height="388" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18176" alt="GMR_AC34SepD12_1538" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD12_15381-780x519.jpg" width="584" height="388" /> The America’s Cup Superyacht Regatta brought grace and elegance to San Francisco Bay this week, with three days of racing during the first week of the America’s Cup Finals. Our photographers were on hand to capture the best images of the day, including a stunning shot of the replica of America, in shadow, by Gilles Martin-Raget. <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18148" alt="GMR_AC34SepD12_1384" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD12_1384-780x519.jpg" width="584" height="388" />
Pedrick: AC72 technology a ‘moon shot’
9/13/2013 Read More

<img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18133" alt="GMR_AC34SepD6_5679" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD6_5679-780x520.jpg" width="584" height="389" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18134" alt="GMR_AC34SepD9_9495" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD9_9495-780x519.jpg" width="584" height="388" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18135" alt="GMR_AC34SepD6_5791" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD6_5791-780x519.jpg" width="584" height="388" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-18136" alt="GMR_AC34SepD6_5794" src="http://americascup-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/GMR_AC34SepD6_5794-780x519.jpg" width="584" height="388" /> America’s Cup luminaries have been visiting the America’s Cup Park this week, taking in the incredible action that the foiling, flying AC72 delivers. This week we ran into past Australian skipper Sir James Hardy and yacht designer David Pedrick of the U.S. To say that these two avowed monohullers were taken aback by the AC72 is an understatement. Pedrick had the honor of working alongside the great Olin Stephens in the early 1970s as a 24-year-old just out of naval architecture school. He wouldn’t speculate on what Stephens might’ve thought about the AC72, but noted that one of the greatest designers in America’s Cup history was always admirable of other’s innovations. For Pedrick’s part, he likened the advance in technology with hydrofoils and wing sails to a moon shot. “What this has done for sailing technology is as much of a leap as going from earth orbit to the moon,” Pedrick said. “The whole idea of foiling cats at this scale is incredible,” Pedrick continued. “It’s not the invention of foiling or foiling cats, but to put it at this size and performance, with very powerful wing rigs and then the balance issues of getting the boats to fly on their foils… they’re just incredible machines that are so far beyond what sailing has ever done before.” Hardy, recalling the classic national crews of Baron Bich, Dennis Conner and even his own, would like to see a stronger nationality rule. As far as the technology is concerned, he believes the horse has left the barn. “I’m seeing speed that is blowing my mind apart,” said the 80-year-old Hardy, who was known as “Gentleman Jim” when he skippered three unsuccessful Australian challengers in 1970, ’74 and ’80. “Every second of these races, my heartbeat is right up because anything can happen so quickly. “I think going back to monohulls, which I prefer, you couldn’t’ get this much exhilaration,” Hardy said. “I love the development. This is quite nerve-wracking to me watching these boats on the edge all the time.” Pedrick believes the action captivates the attention of the younger generation and the broader non-sailing audience. He echoes Hardy, saying that a move back to monohulls would be difficult. “In the case of the hydrofoils you need an extremely lightweight platform; it can’t be ballasted, so the multihull platform is necessary,” Pedrick said. “From a rig stand point, the weight and supporting it, being able to stay the rig outboard far enough is something where the wide platform of a catamaran or multihull is the way to go.” Historical context The path forward is yet to be determined, but the 34th Match for the America’s Cup is in the record books for more than the blistering speed of the AC72. ORACLE TEAM USA’s 8-second victory in Race 4 ranks as the sixth closest race in the history of the America’s Cup Match. Through yesterday’s race there have been 134 races for the America’s Cup since the first defense in 1870. The closest finish was a dead heat in 1920 between Shamrock IV (GBR) and Resolute (USA). The full list is below. No. 1: Dead heat 1920, Race 3: Shamrock IV v. Resolute – This result came after more than four hours of sailing (the official elapsed time was 4 hours, 3 minutes, 6 seconds). Like all Cup races before 1930, this race was scored on ratings and Resolute won on corrected time. But the two massive yachts – Resolute measured 106 feet LOA and Shamrock IV 110 feet – still got around the 30-mile course at exactly the same speed. No. 2: 1 second 2007, Race 7: Alinghi (SUI-100) d. Team New Zealand (NZL-82) to win 32nd Match, 5-2 – Alinghi scoots across finish line with jib hoisted after a huge wind shift, making the run a reach/beat and with TNZ doing penalty turn on the finish line. It was the closest race in the closest Match in America’s Cup history; average delta 21 seconds. No. 3: 2 seconds 1901, Race 3: Shamrock II d. Columbia – Like the dead heat race in 1920 this delta is based on elapsed time, but Columbia won on corrected time by 41 seconds. No. 4: 3 seconds 1992, Race 2: Il Moro di Venezia d. America3 – The first Cup Match featuring the America’s Cup Class sloop; both boats ghosted downwind across the finish line with spinnaker sheets eased and mains nearly luffing the wind was so light. No. 5: 7 seconds 2003, Race 2: Alinghi d. New Zealand – Hosting its second defense, Team New Zealand had been leading after its demoralizing WD in Race 1 (when the yacht nearly sank on the upwind leg), but Alinghi won a downwind duel to the finish line, gaining 33 seconds. No. 6: 8 seconds 2013, Race 4: ORACLE TEAM USA 17 d. Aotearoa – The closest race in perhaps the most spectacular America’s Cup Match. No. 7: 19 seconds 2007, Race 5: Alinghi d. Team New Zealand – Second closest race in the closest match in history. No. 8: 23 seconds 2003, Race 3: Alinghi d. Team NZ – Team NZ finished only three of the five races in ’03, and made two of them memorable. No. 9: 25 seconds 2007, Race 3: Team New Zealand d. Alinghi – The Kiwis take a 2-1 lead when they win their second consecutive race in the 32nd Match off Valencia, but it would be their last victory in the closest Match in Cup history. No. 10: 26 seconds 1962, Race 4: Weatherly defeated Gretel – One of the rare occasions when the faster boat lost. —Sean McNeill <iframe class='youtube-player' type='text/html' width='584' height='359' src='http://www.youtube.com/embed/RYW9gU13NAI?version=3&rel=1&fs=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&wmode=transparent' frameborder='0'></iframe>

Artemis Racing’s Törnqvist Joins the Team on the AC45
6/20/2013 Read More Artemis Racing

<div id="attachment_4556" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 790px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/artemis/files/2013/06/DSC_2463_4-website-photo.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-4556" alt="© Artemis Racing" src="http://americascup-news.com/artemis/files/2013/06/DSC_2463_4-website-photo-960x456.jpg" width="780" height="370" /></a>© Artemis Racing</div> Artemis Racing’s owner, Torbjörn Törnqvist, this week visited San Francisco, where he spent time with the team—working out, participating in dive training, and sailing on the AC45 (even notching a new speed record). It was Torbjörn’s second visit in the last month. “It has been great to be together with the team, and I am impressed with what they’ve been able to accomplish under such difficult circumstances,” Torbjörn said. “There is clearly still a lot of work to do, but safety remains the central consideration.” For more on Torbjörn’s visit, <a href="http://youtu.be/i2Z38K7UxRs">check out this video.</a>
Tribute to Bart
5/16/2013 Read More Artemis Racing

<div id="attachment_4532" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 790px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/artemis/files/2013/05/Artemis-Racing-Launch-©-Sander-van-der-Borch6.jpg"><img class=" wp-image-4532" alt="" src="http://americascup-news.com/artemis/files/2013/05/Artemis-Racing-Launch-©-Sander-van-der-Borch6-960x455.jpg" width="780" height="369" /></a>© Artemis Racing/ Sander van der Borch</div> Artemis Racing today held a private ceremony commemorating the memory of our friend and teammate Andrew “Bart” Simpson. After eight bells, a wreath was cast upon the water by representatives of the four teams of the 34th America’s Cup. Then the morning’s rain parted and sunshine spread across San Francisco Bay. The Artemis Racing team thanks everyone for their support. Bart, may you rest in peace.
Foiling AC45
3/23/2013 Read More Artemis Racing

A big step forward for Artemis Racing as we launched our foiling AC45 onto San Francisco Bay. This is the first step in our foiling training for our second AC72. The modifications from our one design AC45 to our now foiling AC45 took about a month to complete. <div id="attachment_4346" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/artemis/foiling-ac45/flying1/" rel="attachment wp-att-4346"><img class="size-large wp-image-4346" src="http://americascup-news.com/artemis/files/2013/03/flying1-e1363999771939-960x455.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="455" /></a>© Artemis Racing</div> Adam May, our foiling expert at Artemis Racing was the project manager for this conversion. “We set up a little commando group of guys to get the 45 foiling. Things were kept simple to get foiling as quickly as possible, taking input from the ongoing work on boat 2, what we’ve seen in use by other teams, and a healthy dose of ‘just do it’ attitude. Our structural test day progressed quickly into controlled foiling flight, with the boat behaving really well and Nathan getting to grips with it in no time at all.” The moral on the team is very positive and we are all excited to be getting back out on the water after all the hard work that has been happening inside the Artemis shed. “Our shore and sailing teams have been working long days and nights to get us back on the water and foiling. To foil the new AC45 with complete control on our first outing gives our team great momentum. It’s going to be a very exciting summer!” explains helmsman, Nathan Outteridge.     <div id="attachment_4347" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 794px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/artemis/foiling-ac45/flying2/" rel="attachment wp-att-4347"><img class="size-full wp-image-4347" src="http://americascup-news.com/artemis/files/2013/03/flying2.jpg" alt="" width="784" height="1018" /></a>© Artemis Racing</div>
Swedish Youth Sailor to Join Artemis Racing in Naples
3/8/2013 Read More Artemis Racing

Artemis Racing announced today that Charlie Ekberg will join Artemis Racing White during the America’s Cup World Series (ACWS) April 16-21 in Naples, Italy. The move marks Artemis Racing’s investment in the next generation of America’s Cup sailors and Swedish youth sailing. Charlie (seen below on left) is one of Sweden’s leading 49er helmsman. <div class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 510px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/artemis/swedish-youth-sailor-to-join-artemis-racing-in-naples/portraits-22st-february-2013-usa-3/" rel="attachment wp-att-4284"><img class="size-medium wp-image-4284" style="border-color: #dddddd;background-color: #ffffff" src="http://americascup-news.com/artemis/files/2013/03/13_001910_ArtemisRacing_Portraits-500x333.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="333" /></a>© Sander van der Borch / Artemis Racing</div> “It’s an opportunity of a lifetime to sail with Artemis Racing. I’ve learned so much from training with the team on San Francisco Bay and I’m excited to represent Artemis Racing in Naples,” said Charlie Ekberg. The line up for Artemis Racing includes Charlie Ekberg (SWE) as helmsman, Troy Tindill as wingman, Matt Cornwell as bowman, Peter Merrington as floater, Anthony Nossiter as trimmer, and Niclas During (seen above on right) as a backup. Niclas was the crew on Sweden’s 49er team at the London Olympics and is confirmed as wingman for the Swedish Youth RBYAC team along side Charlie who will helm. Ekberg and During will be part of the Swedish Red Bull Youth America’s Cup team competing in San Francisco later this summer. “Naples is the perfect opportunity for Charlie to prepare for the RBYAC alongside ACWS veterans Troy, Matt, Peter and Anthony and this allows the team in Alameda to focus on preparing for the upcoming Louis Vuitton Cup,” said Artemis Racing CEO Paul Cayard. <div id="attachment_4283" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 510px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/artemis/swedish-youth-sailor-to-join-artemis-racing-in-naples/artemis-racing-18-februari-2013-alameda-usa/" rel="attachment wp-att-4283"><img class=" wp-image-4283 " src="http://americascup-news.com/artemis/files/2013/03/13_001282_ArtemisRacingAC45-e1363272740815-500x237.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="237" /></a>© Sander van der Borch / Artemis Racing</div> The Swedish Youth Challenge for the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup team, led by KSSS Coach Bjorn Johansson, will be hosting three training sessions from last November until the end of April. Training and tryouts started in November with 70 applicants. Naples will be the final event in the 2012-13 America’s Cup World Series before the 34th America’s Cup kicks off on San Francisco Bay this summer. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SwedishYouthChallenge?fref=ts">Follow Swedish Youth Challenge on Facebook</a> <div id="attachment_4293" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 510px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/artemis/swedish-youth-sailor-to-join-artemis-racing-in-naples/imga0077-no-zhik/" rel="attachment wp-att-4293"><img class="size-medium wp-image-4293" src="http://americascup-news.com/artemis/files/2013/03/IMGA0077-no-zhik-500x237.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="237" /></a>© Artemis Racing</div> <div id="attachment_4294" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 510px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/artemis/swedish-youth-sailor-to-join-artemis-racing-in-naples/swe-youth-ac/" rel="attachment wp-att-4294"><img class="size-medium wp-image-4294" src="http://americascup-news.com/artemis/files/2013/03/swe-youth-AC-500x237.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="237" /></a>© Artemis Racing</div>
Artemis Racing lines up with Oracle Team USA
2/20/2013 Read More Artemis Racing

Feb 11th, 2013 was an exciting day for Artemis Racing, Oracle Team USA and San Francisco. Artemis racing had the opportunity to line up with Oracle on the 2013 America’s Cup race course. <div id="attachment_4079" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/artemis/artemis-racing-lines-up-with-oracle-team-usa/rbyacfevd3_2723/" rel="attachment wp-att-4079"><img class="size-large wp-image-4079" src="http://americascup-news.com/artemis/files/2013/02/RBYACFEVD3_2723-960x456.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="456" /></a>© ACEA 2012/ Photo Gilles Martin-Raget</div> “It’s fantastic to be here in San francisco and have the opportunity to line up with Oracle and to do it on the America’s Cup race course. We learned a lot from our sailing with them. We learned that we have a lot of improving to do so we are taking it on. It’s going to be a full team effort. We have the shore team, the design team and everyone is enthusiastic and we are going to roll up our selves and get into it before we get back out on the track.” As summed up by CEO, Paul Cayard. <iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/fiKvoTwWg04?list=PL-Zq52g_28B8BXdxZ-TpC10lYPOzG-aZT" frameborder="0" width="853" height="480"></iframe> Sailing Team Director, Iain Percy explains the benefits and reality of sailing with Oracle. “With this new version no one really knows. We all have our ideas and when we get out there and first sail with the boat it become clear whether everything was right or wrong. We have a few modifications to make…. Everyone who has done lasers at their club knows that sailing on your own is very tough. You don’t double the quality you ten times the quality.”
J.P.MORGAN BAR AC45 SMASHES ROUND THE ISLAND RACE MULTIHULL RECORD
6/1/2013 Read More BAR Racing

Sir Ben Ainslie and his crew onboard J.P.Morgan BAR AC45 smashed the Round the Island Race multihull record today off the Isle of Wight. The record which has stood for 12 years was obliterated by 16 minutes and 8 seconds. The team started at sunrise in perfect northerly 15 knot conditions with the other multihull classes for the 50-mile race around the Isle of Wight off the south coast of the UK. Flying past the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes, Ainslie’s AC45 catamaran headed towards the first starters, negotiating a field of boats before breaking free and heading out towards the leading monohulls on the east side of the Island. By the time the crew reached the Needles, J.P.Morgan BAR had taken the lead and accelerated towards St. Catherine’s Point on the south of the Island, which marks the halfway mark on the course. Just one hour and twenty minutes into the race the crew were past halfway, with the record clearly in their sights. <img src="http://americascup-news.com/bar/files/2013/06/130601_RoundTheIsland_018-960x594.jpg" alt="J.P.Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race 2013" width="960" height="594" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-613" /> The south section of the Island proved to be the trickiest part of the course, big gusts of over 25 knots meant challenging conditions for the crew as they battled to keep the boat on track. Bowman Matt Cornwell said, “It was quite gusty coming down into St Catherine’s Point, and we had some big puffs it was quite difficult for us with the difficult angles reaching when it’s very windy, so we had to play around that to be safe we had a few tricky moments but we got through it ok, but as our esteemed navigator, if you can ever have a navigator on a boat like this, Mark Andrews, forgot to put the batteries in the Veliocteks so we didn’t know how fast we were going or where we were going we just knew we had to get round the Island so that made it simpler!” Once around the Fort on the west side of the course, the crew were on track for the record and on the home straight. A flotilla of boats came out to welcome the crew back to the finish as they crossed the line in a final time of 2 hours 52 minutes 15 seconds. For the crew onboard J.P.Morgan BAR today was a special day as they were racing in honour of Andrew Simpson MBE, “It was a beautiful race the conditions were perfect for us, the boat performed incredibly well and the team sailed her really well, and so everything fell into place and we ended up breaking the multihull record. For us that was a real bonus because we really wanted to do the race in Andrew’s memory. Yesterday was such a difficult day to come out today and have such a wonderful race and to do it in his memory was very special,” Skipper Ben Ainslie. <img src="http://americascup-news.com/bar/files/2013/06/130601_RoundTheIsland_065-960x504.jpg" alt="J.P.Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race 2013" width="960" height="504" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-614" /> This is the 82nd year of this classic race, the crew were sailing against 1459 boats with 15,000 competitors from all walks of life, from world-renowned sailors to families and first time racers. J.P.Morgan BAR crew list Sir Ben Ainslie (GBR) – Skipper Matt Cornwell (GBR) – Bowman Andrew Mills (GBR) – Runner/Floater Mark Andrews (GBR) – Wing Trimmer Andrew McLean (NZL) – Head Sail Trimmer
THIRD OVERALL IN THE 2012-13 SERIES FOR J.P.MORGAN BAR
4/21/2013 Read More BAR Racing

It was an event full of expectation for J.P.Morgan BAR, as the team headed into the finale of the 2012-13 World Series in Naples. After a second place finish in San Francisco last October the team came with a clear aim, to win the event. But it wasn’t to be. Another hard fought day on the water saw the team finish fifth in Super Sunday’s bumper points fleet race, not enough to podium at the event, but it was enough to place them third overall in the 2012-13 three event series. <img class="aligncenter wp-image-598" alt="America's Cup World Series Naples/ ACWS Naples" src="http://americascup-news.com/bar/files/2013/04/130421_AC45Naples_ML_048.jpg" width="960" height="640" /> Skipper Ben Ainslie reflected on the final race today, “To win the event we really needed to win the race today, unfortunately it didn’t happen for us. We struggled in the middle of the fleet. The conditions were difficult today but it was the same for everyone and we just weren’t able to quite get it right which is a shame and it’s frustrating for the team. But that’s sports, that’s life and you have to learn what you can from it and move forwards. I think we had more potential than where we finished, so we know we have to work harder next time round to get ourselves to the top of the fleet at the next event.” Today’s fleet race was do or die, the overall event title was up for grabs with the top five teams all in contention to walk away with the trophy. The start once again proved to be a deal breaker, Matt Mitchell talked through the start and race for J.P.Morgan BAR, “We thought we had the right end of the start line, but it wasn’t to be. It’s been the story of the last few days, the starts have not been clicking for us, you try to pick your way through the fleet, but again you get dictated into your lanes and it limits how far you can get back up through the fleet.” After rounding the first gate, J.P.Morgan BAR found themselves buried in the middle of the pack, but the crew didn’t give up constantly searching for opportunities to pull back places. For the boats at the front when it’s going well it racing looks easy, but on a day like today for the majority of the fleet it was a battle as Mitchell explained, “Having found ourselves once again with a deficit on the leaders you just have to keep blazing away and working hard until the end, We kept working away all the way to the end. We missed out on a few things and we know that small mistakes are pretty costly in this event and that was the difference today”. The tricky conditions saw the lead change hands throughout the seven lap course. ORACLE TEAM USA, Team Energy, Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa Swordfish all threatened to take line honours, but it was Francesco Bruni onboard Luna Rossa Swordfish that finally secured a win, taking the lead on the final downwind leg, in front of adoring home crowds that lined the shoreline in Naples. Four time America’s Cup winner J.P.Morgan BAR headsail trimmer Simon Daubney has enjoyed the experience with the team. “Sailing at these events with Ben has been great. We have a great bunch of guys and we’ve fought hard at every regatta. It’s good sailing with him, it was hard at the first event, he came straight from the Games so it was a big learning curve for all of us, but we sailed really well in the second event and we were really pleased with the result last October. Conditions were very different here and it didn’t go as we hoped that it would, but we’re still friends and we will live to fight another day”. <img class="aligncenter wp-image-599" alt="America's Cup World Series Naples/ ACWS Naples" src="http://americascup-news.com/bar/files/2013/04/130421_AC45Naples_ML_018.jpg" width="960" height="640" /> For the crew onboard J.P.Morgan BAR it’s the end of competition for this year, as the sailors prepare to shift attention back to the America’s Cup finals in San Francisco this summer. “It’s a little bit sad of J.PMorgan BAR today. It’s been a pretty cool thing we’ve had going on, we have a good boat and good bunch of boys to sail with. We have shown great promise at times, and the overall experience over the series has been awesome,” Matt Mitchell. “We would have love to have done a lot better in this event, but it shows a lot of promise and lot to build on for the future,” concluded Ainslie.
FOUR TIME GOLD MEDALLIST BEN AINSLIE ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM OLYMPIC SAILING
11/27/2012 Read More BAR Racing

Ben Ainslie today announced his retirement from Olympic sailing. At London 2012 Ainslie cemented his place in sporting history by securing his fourth consecutive gold medal, it was the culmination of an Olympic career spanning sixteen years. The final gold medal also entered Ainslie into the history books making the most successful Olympic sailor of all time. For Ainslie the decision was not an easy one, “When I look back there are so many special memories; from that first medal in Atlanta 16 years ago to carrying the flag at the closing ceremony in London 2012. London was an incredibly special Olympics, competing on home waters and in front of a home crowd, I don’t think anything will be able to top that experience. But you have to move forwards and it is time to move onto the next challenge in my career.” Ainslie has taken the bold move to setup a team to challenge for the 35th America’s Cup. This announcement marks the start of a new chapter in his career as he now shifts his focus to winning the America’s Cup and bringing the oldest trophy in sport back to Britain. Conceived by the British in 1851, the America’s Cup is the only international sporting trophy Great Britain has never won. The team has taken the first steps on this road with J.P.Morgan who is title sponsor to the Ben Ainslie Racing (BAR) AC45 team, who are competing in the America’s Cup World Series (ACWS) 2012-13. The team has shown great promise finishing second at the last ACWS event in October. “The America’s Cup has always been a goal for me. With the new format of the America’s Cup World Series and the increased commericalistaion of the event, I feel confident that we can continue to build towards creating a commercially viable team, with the ultimate goal of challenging for the 35th America’s Cup.” “Stepping away from the Olympics was not an easy decision to make and I wanted to take some time after London to think about the future and what the next challenge would be. I’ve had an amazing Olympic sailing career and I would like to take this opportunity to thank the countless number of people who have been involved in my sailing career to date. Their support enabled me to achieve my dreams and I could not have done it without them.” John Derbyshire, Royal Yachting Association Performance Director, commented:“Ben has always made it clear that his two career goals have been to win Olympic gold, and to win the America’s Cup. With four Olympic golds and a silver across five Games, and now the most successful Olympic sailor of all time, he has nothing left to prove in Olympic terms and there can be no question that he’s more than achieved his first goal. It’s therefore entirely understandable that he should now want to turn his attentions to the second, and hopefully lead a British team to win the oldest trophy in sport for the very first time.” “The word ‘legend’ is often over-used in sport, but Ben really is one – a determined yet unassuming, modest, often under-recognised legend in this nation’s sporting history. He has been a talismanic figure in the RYA’s Olympic programme for over 16 years, through his successes inspiring new waves of sailors to get involved in the sport, and passing on his tireless work ethic and campaign skills to other young talents who will look to follow in his footsteps and take on the challenge of keeping GBR a leading light in Olympic sailing in the years to come.” The next ten months will see Ainslie train and compete with the America’s Cup defenders ORACLE Team USA in San Francisco, where he will gain invaluable experience helming one of two AC72s in the build up to the 34th America’s Cup in September 2013. Olympic medals 2012 – GOLD Olympics Finn class, London 2008 – GOLD Olympics Finn class, Beijing 2004 – GOLD Olympics Finn class, Athens 2000 – GOLD Olympics Laser class, Sydney 1996 – SILVER Olympics Laser class, Atlanta World Titles 2012 – GOLD Finn World Championships 2008 – GOLD Finn World Championships 2005 – GOLD Finn World Championships 2004 – GOLD Finn World Championships 2003 – GOLD Finn World Championships 2002 – GOLD Finn World Championships 1999 – GOLD Laser World Championships 1998 – GOLD Laser World Championships 1995 – GOLD ISAF Youth World Championships (Laser class) 1993 – GOLD Laser Radial World Championships European Titles 2008 – GOLD Finn European Championships 2005 – GOLD Finn European Championships 2003 – GOLD Finn European Championships 2002 – GOLD Finn European Championships 2000 – GOLD Laser European Championships 1999 – GOLD Laser European Championships 1998 – GOLD Laser European Championships 1996 – GOLD Laser European Championships 1993 – GOLD Laser Radial European Championships <a href="http://americascup-news.com/bar/four-time-gold-medallist-ben-ainslie-announces-retirement-from-olympic-sailing/jren8810-version-3low/" rel="attachment wp-att-527"><img class="aligncenter size-thumbnail wp-image-527" src="http://americascup-news.com/bar/files/2012/11/JREN8810-Version-3low-393x260.jpg" alt="" width="393" height="260" /></a>
Ben Ainslie blog: A great foundation for the future
10/7/2012 Read More BAR Racing

J.P.Morgan skipper Ben Ainslie “Today was a tough race it was quite close racing four boats in it for the win, in some ways the whole fleet because of the points system, It was disappointing not to hang onto the lead but after abad start we did a really good job to fight back and secure second so I couldn’t be happier with the way the week’s gone really in terms of training and preparation compared with last time around. It’s where we want to be and it gives us a great foundation for the future. What happened at the start, well we tried to squeeze into a gap and it was a bit tight, fair enough we conceded a penalty so we didn’t have the best start and we could have done a better job. The first beat we really struggled and didn’t get that right and you know that cost us a lot but after that we were fine the boys did a great job and to make gains from the back of the fleet to get fourth, so that was a great come back. Jimmy and his team did a great job today and it’s a shame we weren’t able to match that today but it’s been a great week. Unfortunately today didn’t go our way, it’s the nature of this racing with the points stacked on Super Sunday on the last race. You have to perform on that final race and Jimmy and his team to their credit did just that, and they won the race and the regatta. We were struggling a bit at the back of the pack today, but thankfully we got fourth which meant second overall. We would have loved to have won that was our aim going into that race, but overall we’re really happy with the week. We’ve made some massive improvements from the last regatta and there is still a lot we can improve on. It’s been a great week great racing and we’v really enjoyed it . I know we have been asked all week what the difference has been from last time, and it is definitely the preparation and time together on the water as a team. This week we had some solid races, we had pretty good starts and the guys just did a fantastic job sailing the boat fast and the boat handling was particularly good. Kyle and the other guys did a great job with the tactical calls, when we did have some bad starts we just dug deep and pulled through. As i’ve said before there is still a lot we can improve on which I think is a nice thing, we’ll go away and look at that for the next event. Overall we had a great series here, the improvements from last time are massive and we know we have the ability to come back and start winning these events so that’s the plan moving forward.” <a href="http://americascup-news.com/bar/ben-ainslie-blog-a-great-foundation-for-the-future/team-j-p-morgan-bar-racing-in-san-francisco-ca-6/" rel="attachment wp-att-470"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-470" src="http://americascup-news.com/bar/files/2012/10/TeamJPMorganBAR_Sunday-475_low-500x332.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="332" /></a>
J.P.Morgan BAR qualify for match racing quarter finals
10/3/2012 Read More BAR Racing

Day one of racing at the America’s Cup World Series kicked off in San Francisco Bay with the match racing qualifications. The forecast soon went from an indian summer into the depths of winter this afternoon as the race course was covered in a blanket of fog filled with winds gusting over 20 knots. For Team J.P.Morgan BAR it was set to be a testing day, as the crew headed out into the strongest conditions they have sailed in so far. They lined up against Luna Rossa Swordfish in their first match race of the day, a win would see J.P.Morgan BAR head straight into the quarter finals. <a href="http://americascup-news.com/bar/j-p-morgan-bar-qualify-for-match-racing-quarter-finals/team-j-p-morgan-bar-racing-in-san-francisco-ca-4/" rel="attachment wp-att-453"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-453" src="http://americascup-news.com/bar/files/2012/10/TeamJPMorganBAR_Wednesday-499_low-500x332.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="332" /></a> A perfect start by skipper Ben Ainslie saw J.P.Morgan BAR fly past Luna Rossa, extending to hold a five boat length lead heading up the first beat. Spanish skipper Iker Martinez struggled to stay in touch, conceding a penalty after passing the boundary line on the downwind leg. J.P.Morgan BAR extended and crossed the line for a comfortable win seeing them qualify for the quarter-finals. Their paring is due to take place on Friday 5th against number two seed ORACLE TEAM USA – Spithill. Speaking dockside after racing, J.P.Morgan BAR skipper Ben Ainslie commented, “It was a great day, we had some really difficult conditions. We really haven’t sailed in that level of breeze before so there was a bit of uncertainty there, but the guys dealt with it really well. We had a great start and we got round the course well, the maneouvres were very clean so it was a good confidence boost, especially in such challenging conditions so a good result for us heading into the fleet racing tomorrow. I was a little under the weather yesterday which didn’t help, but it certainly helped for the weigh in! Anyway, hopefully I will be feeling more on form tomorrow, I think it’s going to be good fun getting into the fleet racing and we can’t wait to get started”. J.P.Morgan BAR trimmer Simon Daubney, “Ben did a great job at the start, we’ve done a lot of practice starting drills and he’s been going really really good. That’s the thing that I keep getting impressed with by Ben, he learns something once and then he just nails it, he’s figured out a lot of stuff really quickly, and the last week and a half of training has been great for all of us, but really good for him. That was the start that we needed and hopefully we can keep it going. The result and performance today is a great boost going into tomorrow’s racing. Today was about as windy as we sail in here, so it was good to have a solid performance out there”.
China Team’s Robertson reflects
10/11/2012 Read More China Team

<div id="attachment_694" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/china/china-teams-robertson-reflects/an7_9865/" rel="attachment wp-att-694"><img class="size-large wp-image-694" src="http://americascup-news.com/china/files/2012/10/AN7_9865-960x639.jpg" alt="Final Race Day" width="960" height="639" /></a>© ACEA 2012 / Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget</div> Coming off what skipper <a href="http://china-team.americascup.com/team/sailing-team/phil-robertson">Phil Robertson</a> described as a “fantastic showing” for <a href="http://china-team.americascup.com/">China Team</a> at last week’s America’s Cup World Series San Francisco, the team has announced a partnership with a local university for design concepts. Robertson, at 25 the second youngest skipper in the AC World Series fleet, was enthused by the team’s performance last week. China Team <a href="http://www.americascup.com/en/news/3/news/7678/young-skippers-score-pair-of-victories-in-challenging-conditions-at-americas-cup-world-series">scored its first match racing victory</a> on the America’s Cup World Series circuit and they counted a 5th as their top finish in the fleet racing championship. Robertson said the crew work was much improved. <div id="attachment_695" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 403px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/china/china-teams-robertson-reflects/co7_9276/" rel="attachment wp-att-695"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-695" src="http://americascup-news.com/china/files/2012/10/CO7_9276-393x260.jpg" alt="Final Race Day" width="393" height="260" /></a>© ACEA 2012 / Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget</div> “We won our first match race and had a 5th, 7th and 8th in the fleet racing, which is fantastic for the team,” said Robertson. “It shows how much we’ve improved over the past two weeks. In between the two events we worked hard in the gym and we’ve managed to put in a few more training sessions. Now we’re competitive with a little more momentum behind us, and we’re really happy with how it’s all gone.” China Team isn’t an official challenger for next year’s Louis Vuitton Cup, the America’s Cup Challenger Selection Series, but it is making plans for the 35th Cup. Robertson said the team is embarking on a promotional tour in China and will also open a base to start training the next generation of Chinese sailors. China Team also has entered the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup. “The team wants to set up a circuit in China to create more awareness. The biggest move is to get the nation behind it,” said Robertson. “The team needs to create more awareness and understanding of sailing and the America’s Cup. Once they start getting more media coverage and into the market in China, things will start steam rolling. It’ll be big step forward for the team and the America’s Cup.” Although the 35th America’s Cup is no more than a title at this point, China Team is leaning on its strong cultural ties with San Francisco and has engaged students at the Academy of Art University to sketch design concepts that could be used in the future. <div id="attachment_696" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 403px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/china/china-teams-robertson-reflects/an3_0427/" rel="attachment wp-att-696"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-696" src="http://americascup-news.com/china/files/2012/10/AN3_0427-393x260.jpg" alt="Match Racing Qualifiers" width="393" height="260" /></a>© ACEA 2012 / Photo: Gilles Martin-Raget</div> <a href="http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/10/prweb9991188.htm">According to a press release from the Academy of Art University</a>, students have begun their exploration into the future of yacht design by researching and understanding the advancements in aerodynamics and fluid dynamics. The press release says that China Team representatives have reviewed the students’ initial design concepts and will soon select the one they want the students to pursue. At that time, students will begin developing a digital model of the design, which will be followed by building a physical model. “With China Team competing in the America’s Cup World Series here in San Francisco last week, our students had a unique opportunity to witness in person what they have a chance to impact with their design in 2016,” said Dr. Elisa Stephens, President of Academy of Art University.
China Team achieves its best results in the 34th America’s Cup World’s Series
10/7/2012 Read More China Team

China Team achieves its best results in the 34th America’s Cup World’s Series 6th Oct 2012 San Francisco China Team, the official challenger of the 34th America’s Cup World Series, has achieved its best result yet in history in today’s first fleet race. China Team has defeated six strong teams from U.S., France, Italy, Sweden and etc., and become the fifth to finished race. <a href="http://americascup-news.com/china/china-team-achieves-its-best-results-in-the-34th-americas-cup-worlds-series/img_6799/" rel="attachment wp-att-676"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-676" src="http://americascup-news.com/china/files/2012/10/IMG_6799-500x333.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="333" /></a> The weather today in San Francisco bay is sunny and breezy. The America’s Cup has started its third day of racing after the “Blue Angle” fleet week show. After the starting signal of the first fleet week, the eleven boats boosted up to the first mark. After Emirate Team USA had seured the first place after the swift turn in the first mark, Oracle Team USA Spithill pushed their boat to the limit aiming to minimize the distance with Emirate Team New Zealand. However, when you may a mistake and you pay for it. Oracle Team USA Spithill made a mistake and flipped over in the first turn. China Team grabbed the chance and secured its good position and finished the match ranking the fifth, which is the best result yet in the America’s Cup World Series. <a href="http://americascup-news.com/china/china-team-achieves-its-best-results-in-the-34th-americas-cup-worlds-series/img_4856/" rel="attachment wp-att-677"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-677" src="http://americascup-news.com/china/files/2012/10/IMG_4856-500x333.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="333" /></a> The Chinese Sailor YingKit Cheng has accepted the interview from the America’s Cup after the race today. He stated that it is quite normal to see capsizes in the America’s Cup, and that is the charm of the regatta. Every sailor has to prepare for change and challenge during the race. Luckily, China Team has successfully grasped the opportunity and finished the race under pressure. <a href="http://americascup-news.com/china/china-team-achieves-its-best-results-in-the-34th-americas-cup-worlds-series/img_6468/" rel="attachment wp-att-678"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-678" src="http://americascup-news.com/china/files/2012/10/IMG_6468-500x333.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="333" /></a> The America’s Cup World Series San Francisco October will come to the final tomorrow (7th Oct). Tonight, whole China Team would have a simple celebration for the good result achieve today and prepare for the final race tomorrow. Let’s wish China Team would scale new height in the following race tomorrow.
China Team sets sights on October AC World Series
8/29/2012 Read More China Team

<img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-603" src="http://americascup-news.com/china/files/2012/08/F11_0079-960x639.jpg" alt="China Team sets sights on October AC World Series" width="960" height="639" /> View the full gallery <a title="here" href="http://china-team.americascup.com/photos/72157631297454122">here</a>. In its effort to continue building a foundation for future America’s Cup endeavors, China Team today announced the Hilton San Francisco Financial District as a sponsor of the team for the next AC World Series San Francisco (Oct. 2-7). China Team principals including Vanessa Fang, the managing director, and Stanley Mo, the marketing manager, were on hand for the announcement, as were sailors Ying Kit Chang and Tie Wa Li. China Team plans to begin training for the next regatta on Sept. 16. The announcement also aimed to strengthen the relationship with the Chinese community in San Francisco. Mayor Ed Lee is the first Chinese-American mayor a major U.S. city, and his wife, Anita, presented opening remarks. “China Team, you are a wonderful ambassador for China to the America’s Cup,” said First Lady Lee. “We look forward to cheer you on in the races to come. More than one-quarter of San Francisco’s residents are of Chinese descent, and China Team’s participation helps us continue to foster cultural and economic ties with China.” America’s Cup Regatta Director Iain Murray also addressed the audience. He noted China’s recent sailing gold medal (in the Laser Radial class) at the Olympics, its first-ever sailing gold medal, and noted the team’s goal of developing a new generation of Chinese sailors. “We’re happy to have China Team competing in the second series of the AC World Series in October,” said Murray. “We admire the team’s ambition of building a young crew and support their vision for the long-term future of the America’s Cup.” <iframe width="584" height="329" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tX2pCnto5_o?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Lights, cameras ready when action starts
6/12/2013 Read More Emirates Team New Zealand

People with sharp eyes they will have noticed a new addition to the back of the Emirates Team New Zealand AC72. Over the past few days a small team from ACTV led by On-board Media Manager Mark Sheffield has been working with Emirates Team New Zealand shore crew to install what is simply known as ‘the media module ’ on the aft beam. This box isn’t all there is to install though. Once the live TV coverage of the racing starts the AC72 will be carrying a total of 230kgs of media equipment consisting of seven on-board cameras, microphones, lights, displays and tracking equipment. Pictures of today’s practice are <a href="http://etnzblog.com/gallery/practice-practice-practice">here</a>. This is obviously a significant of extra weight to carry around on such a finely tuned boat but as Mark explains, “We have made sure the package is the same on every boat. Everything is weighed to within the gram and distributed to it is identical on all boats.” <iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Fe1I2dxdU4A" frameborder="0" width="560" height="315"></iframe>
Conditions on course with ‘Clouds’
6/5/2013 Read More Emirates Team New Zealand

Team meteorologist Roger ‘Clouds’ Badham knows as well as most that sailing on San Francisco Bay is one of the most challenging places to sail, and that’s on a “normal boat” let alone an AC72. When the teams line up to race they will have a lot more than each other to worry about. “First there are the mechanical challenges the teams face just to sail these boats, but then there is the physical strategy of where to put the boat on the race course. Where is the wind the strongest, where is the tide the most favorable and its changing minute by minute let alone leg by leg,” Clouds says. Typically on the San Francisco Bay the wind is from the west and arrives as a very strong sea breeze. It kicks off mid to late morning and peaks mid to late afternoon. But wind isn’t all the afterguard on the Emirates Team New Zealand have to worry about Clouds says. “We also have tide or current. There is the North Bay to the north and South Bay around the corner, they are huge bays with an enormous volume of water that has to come in and out through the bay and under the Golden Gate Bridge where it can easily be three or four knots as a slow tide or up to six or seven knots at times.” Illustrating the intricacies of the Bay only a short distance away from the Golden Gate Bridge is the where the racing action starts and the difference in current can be a number of knots. What is obvious to see while observing the Bay is that boat speed and handling aren’t the only factors that will establish the winner of races from one day to the next. <iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_N3NdbY-8P0" frameborder="0" width="560" height="315"></iframe>
AC72 sails in good breeze for racing
5/30/2013 Read More Emirates Team New Zealand

Emirates Team New Zealand completed its fourth day sailing the AC72 on San Francisco Bay today in a wide range of breeze and conditions. The team ran through some training exercises and a couple laps of the America’s Cup race course in what tactician Ray Davies described as “near perfect conditions”. “We had a really nice 22 knots of breeze blowing on the course area and it all just felt like perfect conditions to be racing the AC72s. The boat felt really good.” Chris Cameron’s pictures are <a title="Fourth day of testing in San Francisco" href="http://etnzblog.com/gallery/fourth-day-of-testing-in-san-francisco/">here</a>. With the practice racing completed, the AC72 and following chase boats relocated down to the South Bay to continue with the testing program where the breeze offered a brief example of the volatility of the wind in San Francisco. “While we were a long way down in the South Bay, one minute it was 14 knots the next it was 30 knots, so it got a little hairy,” said skipper Dean Barker, “But we kept things under control and got the boat back to the dock with no issues at all, so we are happy.” As with each day sailing before, the team continues to learn more about the boat and the venue with each hour on the water.
Building the Base In San Francisco
5/9/2013 Read More Emirates Team New Zealand

Emirates Team New Zealand has had men on the ground at our new home on Pier 30/32 in San Francisco for the past few weeks. All working tirelessly to build the small village of tents and containers which will house the team, the AC72s, the wing sails and everything else that will be required in the quest to win the America’s Cup. Rapidly the small corner of New Zealand in the San Francisco bay is taking shape with the bold waka already becoming a talking point among the passing locals. <iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/dg0FuQgMrhs" frameborder="0" width="560" height="315"></iframe>
NZ ready for business at the America’s Cup
5/6/2013 Read More Emirates Team New Zealand

 Construction of the Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ) base for the America’s Cup is underway in San Francisco signalling the start of a series of events to showcase New Zealand businesses. Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce says major eventslike the America’s Cup provide an opportunity for NewZealand companies to showcase their expertise on the international stage. “New Zealand has a strong marine and digital technology association with the America’s Cup, and this programme is about leveraging off and growing that strong relationship,” Mr Joyce says. The programme is being developed alongside the sailing event. As part of an agreement signed between the Government and Emirates Team New Zealand, New Zealand businesses will have exclusive access to the America’s Cup racing and ETNZ’s base in San Francisco. The home base for the events organised by ETNZ, Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED) and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, will be Waka Maori, a 70-metre venue fashioned in the form of a traditional waka, built by Ngati Whatua o Orakei and used on the Auckland waterfront for Rugby World Cup 2011. “New Zealand is a dominant player in the America’s Cup and we are taking full advantage of that position to promote New Zealand’s other stories and capabilities,” Mr Joyce says. “The United States is our third biggest trading partner and our goods and services exports continue to grow there. California alone is a market of 38 million people and remains at the heart of global innovation. “Waka Maori creates a New Zealand landmark that will be seen from the surrounding high rises and Bay Bridge during the America’s Cup.” New Zealand innovation will be evident during the Cup, with componentry for three of the four racing yachts designed and built in New Zealand; Kiwi-made super-yachts berthed at the marina, an official America’s Cup smartphone app made by Dunedin’s Animation Research Ltd, and New Zealand food and wine featuring on the menus of San Francisco restaurants. Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Whai Maia chief executive officer Tupara Morrison said it’s an honour to have Waka Māori make the journey to San Francisco alongside Emirates Team New Zealand.“Waka Māori was originally commissioned by the hapū to showcase Māoritanga and welcome visitors to Aotearoa and we are pleased that this arrangement with Emirates Team New Zealand again puts Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei on the world stage. “Waka Māori will provide a unique glimpse of New Zealand, the home of the world’s greatest sailors, on foreign shores and that is great,” said Mr Morrison. “It will also be a special place for Kiwi businesses to meet and greet their international colleagues and guests,” said Mr Morrison. Waka Māori will be used by Emirates Team New Zealand’s major sponsors including New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, which will showcase Kiwi businesses and promote Auckland and New Zealand as a tourism destination. Emirates Team New Zealand chief executive officer Grant Dalton says the team is proud to have Waka Maori as a key part of its base. “The waka will be a prominent part of the downtown San Francisco waterfront for four months and will be a great showcase for New Zealand. “We look forward to representing New Zealand, our sponsors and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei over the coming months.”
THE NEXT WORLD ENERGY CREW UNVEILED
6/10/2013 Read More Energy Team

<div id="attachment_1923" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 726px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/06/NWG-Energy-Youth2.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-1923" alt="Gilles Martin-Raget" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/06/NWG-Energy-Youth2.jpg" width="716" height="476" /></a>Gilles Martin-Raget</div> The names of the seven sailors who will race aboard the French AC45 as part of the Next World Energy team at the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup have been revealed. To select the young sailors who will represent the Yacht Club de France in San Francisco this September, Energy Team worked in partnership with the French Sailing Federation and the “French Youth Team”. Below is an introduction to the crew. The cast has been chosen: Arthur Ponroy, Antoine Lauriot-Prévost, Hubert Savatier, Romain Bellet, Valentin Bellet, Paul Dagault, and Edouard-Marie Alikiagaléléi will race in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup, taking place in San Francisco, this September 1-4. Before they race at the highest level onboard the AC45, the team will meet together on Monday for a new two-week training session at the National Sailing School of Quiberon, in Formula 18 and Open 7.50. Energy Team, French Youth Team and FFVoile: three entities for one selection The final crew members that were selected to be a part of Next World Energy is the result of a selection process that started in May 2012 with the official launch of the “French Youth Team.” Created and directed by Vincent Guého, the organization aimed to present a French team at the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup. Youngsters united around the project, which received the support of the French Sailing Federation, and aroused the interest of the adult Energy Team. “We followed the growth of the French Youth Team closely and decided very quickly to get in touch. The FYT had a pool of racers, we had the boat, and potentially the budget to get us in the race,” said Antoine Mermod, team manager of the French challenger. After a first screening the sailors took part in a few annex races, notably on Open 7.50, and also trained aboard the AC45 with Energy Team in Naples. “Racing on the actual boat of the Youth America’s Cup allowed us to observe the young sailors out on the ocean, better understand their individual skills and also identify areas for improvement. We found that they are all good sailors, with great human and technical qualities,” says Antoine Mermod. The team selection took place during a ten day training session in May in Lorient, with the Extreme 40, loaned by the Groupama Sailing Team. At the end of this complicated, but instructive session, Energy Team, in partnership with French Youth Team and the French Sailing Federation, were able to decide on a coherent and efficient crew. Seven young sailors with complementary skills Seven sailors all under the age of 25 have been selected to represent the Yacht Club de France this September in San Francisco. <a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/Arthur-Ponroy.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1886" alt="Arthur Ponroy" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/Arthur-Ponroy.jpg" width="186" height="279" /></a>Arthur Ponroy, Skipper (age 23) The skipper of the AC45 that will race in the colors of Next World Group already has great experience with habitable boats and with a crew, including the Tour de France à la Voile, where he competes for the fourth time this summer aboard the M34 Courrier Dunkerque. Smart, unifying, and very sharp in his analysis and decisions, onboard he will hold the position of Wing Trimmer or Bowman. <a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/A-Lauriot-Prévost.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1889" alt="A Lauriot Prévost" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/A-Lauriot-Prévost.jpg" width="186" height="279" /></a>Antoine Lauriot-Prévost, Helmsman (age 23) Son of the famous naval architect Vincent Lauriot-Prévost, Antoine followed the same career path. Talented in sport catamaran (Hobie Cat 16, F18) as with habitable boats and fine helmsman, he is also appreciated for his good humor. <a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/Hubert-Savatier.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1895" alt="Hubert Savatier" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/Hubert-Savatier.jpg" width="186" height="279" /></a>Hubert Savatier, Tactician (age 22) Hubert is also a jack-of-all-trades who has sailed both a sports catamaran and habitable boat, (Tour de France à la Voile, Match Race). He is rigorous, versatile and physically well prepared. His discretion on land hides a strong personality at sea. <a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/Romain-Bellet.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1893" alt="Romain Bellet" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/Romain-Bellet.jpg" width="186" height="279" /></a>Romain Bellet, Bowman or Wing Trimmer (age 20) The youngest of the team, alongside his brother Valentin, he is one of the best specialists in sports catamarans (SL 16, Hobie 16, F18). He is tough, explosive and mentally very strong. <a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/Valentin-Bellet.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1891" alt="Valentin Bellet" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/Valentin-Bellet.jpg" width="186" height="279" /></a>Valentin Bellet, Trimmer (age 22) He has the same pedigree as his brother, but not quite the same character. As the calmer one, he is able to channel the enthusiasm of the crew. His young age also has not prevented him from possessing wide nautical knowledge. He can do everything on board. <a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/Paul-Dagault.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1897" alt="Paul Dagault" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/Paul-Dagault.jpg" width="186" height="279" /></a>Paul Dagault, Bowman (age 22) Specialist in habitable boats, he has good experience in Match Racing and M34 – he will be aboard Sodebo for the next Tour de France à la Voile. He is physically well-prepared and has solid technical competency. His kindness and humor do not spoil any of his qualities as a seaman. Edouard-Marie Alikiagaléléi, Bowman or Trimmer (age 23) Match Racing, Tour de France à la Voile: Edouard-Marie is a product of the habitable boat field. Like Arthur Ponroy, he will be part of the Courrier Dunkerque crew at the next edition of the Tour. His physical qualities and kindness are extraordinary. Career highlights for the seven selected team members Arthur Ponroy 2012: 2nd in the Tour de France à la Voile M34 2nd in the Grand Prix Ecole Navale 2011: 3rd in the French Championship in J80 Winner of the Tour de France à la Voile 2010 World Champion in Farr30 2nd in the Tour de France à la Voile Antoine Lauriot Prévost 2012: 3rd in the Course Croisière EDHEC 2011: Winner of the Tour de France à la Voile (amateur ranking) 2010: Season in F18 2009: 2nd Hobie Cat 16 Catagolfe 2008: Champion of France Youth Hobie Cat 16 2007: European Champion Hobie Cat 16 Hubert Savatier 2013: 4th in the Championship Match Race France 2012: 6th at Normandy Sailing Week 2011: Champion of France in Keel boat 2nd in Tour de France à la Voile 2010: Vice Champion of France in University Match Racing 2009: Vice World Champion youth F18 2008: 3rd in the World Championship SL16 Open Romain Bellet 2013: 3rd in National W18 2012: Winner of the “Coupe des Iles d’Or” in C1 2011: European Champion Youth F18 2010: Vice World Champion SL16 3rd European Championship Youth Hobie Cat 16 2009: Vice world champion ISAF Hobie Cat 16 SL16 World Open champion Young Champion of France SL16 2008: World Champion Kids SL16 Valentin Bellet 2013: 3rd National W18 2012: Winner of the Eurocat in Viper 2011: European Champion Kids F18 2010: 3rd in the European Youth Championships in Hobie Cat 16 2009: Vice world champion ISAF Hobie Cat 16 SL16 World Open champion Young Champion of France SL16 2008: World Champion Kids SL16 Paul Dagault 2012: 3rd in the championship of France Match Racing Open 4th in the Grand Prix Guyader M34 4th in the Grand Prix Ecole Navale in M34 2011: 6th in the Tour de France à la Voile 7th of France for International Match Racing 3rd Championship France Young Match Racing Edouard-Marie Alikiagaléléi 2013: Winner of the championship of France J80 2012: 2nd in the Tour de France à la Voile 2011: Winner of the Tour de France à la Voile amateur ranking (seventh overall) 2nd International Match Race in France 2010: Winner of World Championship FARR 30
THE FRENCH SAILING FEDERATION PARTNERS WITH NEXT WORLD ENERGY
5/24/2013 Read More Energy Team

<div id="attachment_1861" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 726px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/8673743749_63e5dab928_b-copy.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-1861" alt="Gilles Martin-Raget" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/8673743749_63e5dab928_b-copy.jpg" width="716" height="476" /></a>Gilles Martin-Raget</div> During the first week of September, in between the Louis Vuitton Cup and America’s Cup finals, the city of San Francisco will be hosting the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup, for teams with members under 24 years old. The AC45 of France’s Next World Energy team will be taking part in this high-level competition. In order to prep the young competitors who will represent France, a sports partnership has been signed between Next World Energy and the French Sailing Federation. The French challenger ENERGY TEAM was to introduce a youth crew at the San Francisco competition. “Our objective is to take part in the America’s Cup in four years, so it makes sense for us to prepare for the future,” explains Antonie Mermod, Technical Director of Energy Team. With the support of Next World Group, a European firm based in San Francisco, the team put in place a recruitment plan, and together with FFVoile began selecting the team members at the end of 2012. Up until the final selection is made for the San Francisco race (only six sailors and one alternate will be selected to be on board of the AC45) the young individuals being considered are training on various boats. In Naples on the AC45, sponsored by the Swiss watchmaker Corum, on an Open 7.50 at the Spi Ouest in France, and more recently at the Belle-Ile race, as well as at the Trofeo Pirelli in Portofino on Extreme40. The recent partnership that was signed with the French Sailing Federation gives these young sailors a serious “power boost.” FFVoile’s commitment focuses on two aspects: first, they played a big role in the selection of the young team, “which is essential for FFVoile since they are usually more focused on youth and training, while we are obviously more used to working with professional sailors,” says Antoine Mermod. According to Jacques Cathelineau, National Technical Director, the selection of this young team is a real success. “At the end of 2012, we worked with the French Youth Team and executives of the Federation (Marc Bouet, Franck Citeau) on two selection sessions in multihull at La Grande Motte. The athletes came from various backgrounds which makes it very interesting. We hope that this experience will be highly beneficial for them and their future careers.” In addition, FFVoile is providing logistical and technical support during three intensive training sessions. The first one is currently taking place in Lorient from May 13-24, on an Extreme 40 catamaran, the closest to an AC45 to date. Antoine Mermod states that “The Federation not only offers its boats and training materials, but more importantly their coaches, physical trainers and well-rounded techniques. For example, we are working with Marc Bouet (the French reference in Match-Race) to prepare and conduct the training sessions. With Energy Team we have experience on the AC45 and AC World Series, and the Federation has experience training very skilled young sailors, at high level of performance and in various areas. This is a collaboration that can only be beneficial. Our experiences are complementary and Next World Energy’s young sailors should be able to get the most of it.” It is also important to note that French National Sailing School’s (ENV) expertise together with FFVoile’s experience will be put to use in training the team. Two executives from the School will participate during these sessions. Stéphane Krause will be responsible for the physical preparation of the crew, which is particularly important as the AC45 is deemed to be extremely physical. Yves Clouet will bring his Multihull expertise to complement Marc Bouet’s contributions as coach & coordinator for FFVoile. The next three months are going to be very intense for these young sailors as they immerse into the various aspects of the sailing world (the light, environment, competition, and the race at large), and amongst intense weather, they will also sail other boats and take part in different training sessions. The goal is to be the best prepared to represent France and compete at the highest level with the other nine youth teams from around the world. They will seek “their” America’s Cup, in the heart of the mythical San Francisco Bay, admired by sailors around the world. Quotes: Jean-Pierre Champion, President of the French Sailing Federation: “This partnership between the French Sailing Federation, the Energy Team and French Youth Team will enable this young and motivated team to benefit from preparation and coaching that meets the height of their ambitions. The French Sailing Federation fully meets its selection and training role. Next World Group’s recent commitment to this team provides an opportunity for the young crew to represent France in optimal conditions during the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup. “ <div id="attachment_1862" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 726px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/8673741611_ef564bd90d_b-copy.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-1862" alt="Gilles Martin-Raget" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/8673741611_ef564bd90d_b-copy.jpg" width="716" height="476" /></a>Gilles Martin-Raget</div>
THE NEXT WORLD ENERGY YOUNGSTERS BUSY COMPETING
4/26/2013 Read More Energy Team

<div id="attachment_1831" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 726px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/DSC_3100-2-copy.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-1831" alt="Stéphanie Billarant/Energy Team" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/05/DSC_3100-2-copy.jpg" width="716" height="476" /></a>Stéphanie Billarant/Energy Team</div> After Naples and the announcement that the young French team NEXT WORLD ENERGY will be competing in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup (San Francisco from 1st to 4th September), the team’s programme has been filling up so that the French youngsters have a wide range of opportunities to train on various types of boat. This weekend four of the crewmen of NEXT WORLD ENERGY, led by Bruno Peyron, will be taking part in the TROFEO PIRELLI in Portofino (Italy). They will be facing three other Extreme 40s. It all begins on Sunday with on board the French Extreme 40, Charles Hainneville, Arthur Ponroy, Hubert Savatier and Romain Bellet. They will be facing 3 other Extreme 40s, each sailed by a leading skipper, Francesco de Angelis, Torben Grael and Tommaso Chieffi. These four days of match racing and exhibition races will be taking place between 28th April and 1st May in the paradise waters of Portofino. There will be plenty of pictures to see next week… Meanwhile in Southern Brittany, two other members of NEXT WORLD ENERGY, Antoine Lauriot-Prévost and Valentin Bellet, will be out competing in the EUROCAT in Carnac aboard their F18s. On Saturday afternoon, ENERGY TEAM came up with an idea that has been set up by Vincent Guého of NEXT WORLD ENERGY, where between 8 and 10 Viper type catamarans will be doing battle over an America’s Cup type race course. A great opportunity to get ready for the national championships (Brest from 8th to 16th May) and to train for the Youth America’s Cup. Antoine Lauriot-Prévost has just taken part alongside Yann Guichard in a week of training in Geneva aboard a Decision 35 and will be ready for this show on Saturday off Carnac. Bruno Peyron: “It is a huge pleasure for me to be able to accompany the team in Portofino to see exactly how they are progressing on these new boats. This weekend in Carnac, the America’s Cup format that I suggested for the Eurocat was put in place by Vincent Gueho and Viper. I believe this is the ideal format to prepare for the Youth AC. The start is so important that they need to be fully ready. Thanks to the Eurocat for accepting this idea. It’s going to be a lively event in Carnac this weekend”.
NEXT WORLD GROUP JOINING ENERGY TEAM FOR THE RED BULL YOUTH AMERICA’S CUP
4/23/2013 Read More Energy Team

<a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/04/CREW-au-rappel-1_GMR-copy.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1817" alt="CREW au rappel (1)_GMR copy" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/04/CREW-au-rappel-1_GMR-copy.jpg" width="716" height="476" /></a> After the America’s Cup World Series, which took place in Naples, Italy from April 18-21, 2013, the next big event for ENERGY TEAM is the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup in San Francisco September 1st to the 4th. In this competition, with 10 teams from 8 different countries participating, France will be represented by a youth crew all under the age of 25, taking the helm of the Peyron brothers’ AC45. After establishing a financial and operational partnership with Next World Group, an investment firm with a European background based in San Francisco, the youth crew has officially become NEXT WORLD ENERGY. Youth, innovation and technology… This decision by Next World Group shows above all their commitment to supporting a young team of athletes with a lot of potential, and their participation in a competition where the power of teamwork mixes with the virtues of an eco-friendly and high-tech sport. Won over by the values conveyed by this team sport, but also by the youthful and innovative nature of this forward-looking project, Next World Group is not only providing financial and logistical support, but also with operations and relations with local contacts. These are major factors in ensuring the team’s success, and provides the investment firm an opportunity to experience the preparation for the competition from the inside out. The Next World Energy crew The team representing France at the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup will be led by Charles Hainneville, vice-champion of the 2012 Youth World Championship in F18, and selected with the support of the French Sailing Federation and Yacht Club of France. He will be assisted by the wing trimmer Antoine Lauriot-Prévost, Romain and Valentin Bellet, Hubert Savatier, Arthur Ponroy and Paul Dagault. In this fall’s competition in San Francisco, the youth team will be accompanied by the adult Energy Team and members of the French Sailing Federation in every step of their preparation. Training began in Naples where the youth crew completed a solid training program aboard the AC45 with Energy Team. Quotes: Sébastien Lépinard, CEO Next World Group: “A lot of the values of Next World Group are represented in the Youth America’s Cup: technology, performance, environmental well-being, team spirit, youthfulness, international competition, etc. Many of these elements are indeed quite simply the key values of our time. But looking beyond this similarity, it is what we can offer as an operational partner and not merely as a financial backer that convinced us to get involved. This is, in fact, our way of doing things in all of our business activities at Next World Group. Experiencing the project from the inside and actively contributing to the success is our reward.” Bruno Peyron, CEO Energy Team: “We are committed to our support for this team of young, talented sailors in the Youth America’s Cup. This commitment expresses the idea at the heart of our project to pass something on.. We are pleased to welcome aboard Next World Group in this exciting challenge, which gives an idea of the sort of development program that I am increasingly keen to promote. Based in San Francisco and already involved in setting up the Energy Team Bay Area Supporters since last summer, they will be a valuable help to us with their local knowledge and contacts. I’d also like to thank Yann and all of the pro team, who carried out their job as coaches for the youngsters this week in Naples in a most enthusiastic way and willingly shared their skills.“ <a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/04/CrewEnergyNextWorld-copy.jpg"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-1819" alt="17/04/2013 - Napoli (ITA) - America's Cup World Series Naples 2013 -" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/04/CrewEnergyNextWorld-copy.jpg" width="716" height="476" /></a> About the Next World Group Next World Group is a privately held, global investment firm focused on long-term growth strategies. We strive to deliver superior financial performance while achieving positive impact on society. We invest as long-term partners through four strategies: global investments, venture capital, growth investing and philanthropy. Next World Group is based in San Francisco with offices in Brussels and Paris. For more information, please visit <a href="http://www.nextworldgroup.com" target="_blank">www.nextworldgroup.com</a> <a href="http://www.nextworldgroup.com" target="_blank"><img class="size-full wp-image-1827 alignleft" alt="Logo Next World Group" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/04/Resize-Wizard-1-copy2-e1366880235647.jpg" width="280" height="65" /></a>
YANN GUICHARD AT THE HELM OF ENERGY TEAM IN NAPLES
4/4/2013 Read More Energy Team

<div id="attachment_1765" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 726px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/energy/yann-guichard-at-the-helm-of-energy-team-in-naples/dsc_0998-copy/" rel="attachment wp-att-1765"><img class="size-full wp-image-1765" src="http://americascup-news.com/energy/files/2013/04/DSC_0998-copy.jpg" alt="" width="716" height="476" /></a>Stéphanie Billarant / Energy Team</div> The AC World Series will shortly be taking place in Naples. In twelve days from now, from 16th to 21st April, Energy Team will be hard at work in this final event on the AC45 before the Louis Vuitton Cup. Yann Guichard will be at the helm of the French multihull with Christophe Espagnon as wing trimmer. More details from Antoine Mermod, the technical director of Energy Team. Last year, the Bay of Naples was home to one of the most spectacular legs in the AC World Series circuit. The competitors experienced a full range of conditions, including violent winds with seas that only just made it possible to sail. It was indeed very spectacular. It is of course too soon to forecast whether we can expect the same again this year, but whatever the conditions, the battle is once again likely to be fascinating with nine AC45 crews competing, including quite naturally the French on Energy Team. The event will be taking place from Thursday 16th to Sunday 21st April with the following schedule: training on 16th and 17th April, racing from 18th to 21st. Seven fleet races are planned from Thursday to Sunday. As for the match racing, the qualifications and first quarter finals will be on Thursday, with the other quarter finals on Friday, the semi-finals on Saturday and the final on Sunday. Target : the podium or better… For Energy Team, this will once again be an opportunity to show what they can do in front of the local crowds in Naples, who turned out in their thousands last year. Antoine Mermod, technical director of Energy Team: “In 2012, we finished in fourth place in Naples and we only just missed out on making it to the fleet race podium in the very last race. So this time the target is simple: we’re here to win! In any case, we have clearly got what it takes to be up there on the podium. On top of that, James Spithill won’t be there at the helm of Oracle’s AC45. That’s something we can try to take advantage of.” The competition is going to be tough with Oracle USA, Emirates Team New Zealand, the two Luna Rossa boats (Swordfish and Piranha), Artemis, JP Morgan Bar, China Team and HS Racing, aboard which there will be none other than the Austrians, Roman Hagara and Hans-Peter Steinacher, two-time Olympic champions in the Tornado class. Guichard at the helm, Espagnon on the wing But there is no need to feel intimidated, as for Energy Team, the line-up is equally impressive with Yann Guichard at the helm. He will be assisted by the usual team including Christophe André, Arnaud Jarlegan, Devan Le Bihan and the “newcomer” Christophe Espagnon – another giant from the Tornado and multihull circuit, who will be in charge of trimming the rigid wing as a replacement for the Swiss sailor Arnaud Psarofaghis. “Christophe has quickly settled into the team. He has been sailing for a long time with Yann, and they know each other very well. I believe we have a very solid crew, continuing on from what we have been doing over the past two years.“ The sailors will be busy in Naples from 11th April to train for a full week before battle commences. “Everyone is really up for it,” insisted Antoine Mermod, “So let’s be ambitious and aim for victory.” Between Vesuvius and Capri, Energy Team will have to deal with the magnificent Bay of Naples with all its local effects. “With the prevailing westerlies, this is a fantastic place to sail with plenty of wind and calm seas. On the other hand, if the wind comes from the south, the seas can get quite choppy and it will be much more physical…”
Napoli – ACWS: Victory for Luna Rossa
4/21/2013 Read More Luna Rossa Challenge 2013

<div id="attachment_2634" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/napoli-acws-luna-rossa/day-4-21/" rel="attachment wp-att-2634"><img class="size-full wp-image-2634" alt="© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2013/04/LunaRossaNapoli13cb_04174.jpg" width="960" height="640" /></a>© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi</div> <div id="attachment_2623" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/napoli-acws-luna-rossa/day-4-10/" rel="attachment wp-att-2623"><img class="size-full wp-image-2623" alt="© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2013/04/LunaRossaNapoli13cb_03789.jpg" width="960" height="640" /></a>© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi</div> <div id="attachment_2624" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/napoli-acws-luna-rossa/day-4-11/" rel="attachment wp-att-2624"><img class="size-full wp-image-2624" alt="© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2013/04/LunaRossaNapoli13cb_03844.jpg" width="960" height="640" /></a>© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi</div> <div id="attachment_2625" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/napoli-acws-luna-rossa/day-4-12/" rel="attachment wp-att-2625"><img class="size-full wp-image-2625" alt="© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2013/04/LunaRossaNapoli13cb_03932.jpg" width="960" height="640" /></a>© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi</div> <div id="attachment_2626" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/napoli-acws-luna-rossa/day-4-13/" rel="attachment wp-att-2626"><img class="size-full wp-image-2626" alt="© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2013/04/LunaRossaNapoli13cb_03944.jpg" width="960" height="640" /></a>© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi</div> <div id="attachment_2629" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/napoli-acws-luna-rossa/day-4-16/" rel="attachment wp-att-2629"><img class="size-full wp-image-2629" alt="© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2013/04/LunaRossaNapoli13cb_04064.jpg" width="960" height="640" /></a>© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi</div> <div id="attachment_2630" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/napoli-acws-luna-rossa/day-4-17/" rel="attachment wp-att-2630"><img class="size-full wp-image-2630" alt="© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2013/04/LunaRossaNapoli13cb_04075.jpg" width="960" height="640" /></a>© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi</div> <div id="attachment_2631" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/napoli-acws-luna-rossa/day-4-18/" rel="attachment wp-att-2631"><img class="size-full wp-image-2631" alt="© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2013/04/LunaRossaNapoli13cb_04077.jpg" width="960" height="640" /></a>© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi</div> <div id="attachment_2632" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/napoli-acws-luna-rossa/day-4-19/" rel="attachment wp-att-2632"><img class="size-full wp-image-2632" alt="© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2013/04/LunaRossaNapoli13cb_04136.jpg" width="960" height="640" /></a>© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi</div> <div id="attachment_2635" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/napoli-acws-luna-rossa/day-4-22/" rel="attachment wp-att-2635"><img class="size-full wp-image-2635" alt="© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2013/04/LunaRossaNapoli13cb_04227.jpg" width="960" height="640" /></a>© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi</div> Clouds and sun alternate during the day, with unstable winds from South-West 10-12 knots and flat sea. Fleet Race A good start at the pin end for both Luna Rossa, although Oracle and Energy sneak through and round the reaching mark and the downwind gate in front of the fleet, with Luna Rossa Swordfish and Luna Rossa Piranha respectively 3rd and 4th. While the two leading boats choose the right side of the course the two Luna Rossa split and attack on the left side. Luna Rossa Piranha comes back half way up the windward leg and goes deep to the shore, whereas Luna Rossa Swordfish stays on the left side where she finds more pressure. At the windward gate the positions are unchanged and Swordfish (3rd) is penalized for boundaries. Luna Rossa Piranha is still 4th, closing the gap on the leaders. On the downwind leg Energy is favored by a wind shift that allows her to overtake Oracle at the gate; Swordfish and Piranha are still 3rd and 4th and go for the right end of the gate. Oracle attacks on the right and regains its lead over Energy. At the same time the two Luna Rossa come back on the right and this choice allows Swordfish to round the windward gate 2nd on the left end. Oracle takes an opposite choice and starts the downwind leg on the left, whereas Luna Rossa Swordfish chooses the right where a favorable puff and a better pressure allow her to take the lead of the race. Luna Rossa Swordfish keeps her position to cross the finish line 1st , thus winning both the race and the overall final fleet race ranking of the Naples America’s Cup World Series. Luna Rossa Piranha, 4th at the windward gate, shares the Swordfish’s tactic choice and overtakes Energy, finishing the race 3rd and the final ranking in 4th place at only one point from Emirates Team New Zealand. Patrizio Bertelli, Team Principal of Luna Rossa Challenge 2013, declared: “I was very pleased to see the team’s progress during its training period in New Zealand. I did appreciate the final result of these series but I was especially pleased with Francesco Bruni’s start in the final match race.” Luna Rossa Skipper Max Sirena declared: “I would like to thank the whole team for its effort and dedication during these races, until the last leg of the racing and both on board and ashore: they never give up. The result is encouraging: we were close to the perfect final and to the third place in the overall fleet race ranking with Chris Draper, who proved once again to be up to our expectations.” Match Race Notwithstanding its text-book start, Luna Rossa Swordfish loses the match against Oracle Team USA – Slingsby after being in control for ¾ of the race. At the start Checco Bruni is in control leeward of Slingsby and, at the signal, closes the gate, luffs Oracle and “parks” him. This maneuver allows Bruni to gain a good lead and to round the both the reaching mark and the downwind gate with a comfortable advantage. In the first beat Luna Rossa Swordfish increases her lead and rounds the windward mark 19’’ ahead of Oracle, a gap that will be maintained throughout the downwind leg and up to the gate. Half way up the second windward a left wind shift favors Oracle who is on the right side of the shift and crosses in front of Luna Rossa Swordfish and rounds the mark in the lead. On the last downwind leg Luna Rossa Swordfish cannot close the gap and is therefore second in the overall match race ranking of the ACWS Naples event. Ranking <table width="300" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td>1.</td> <td>Luna Rossa Swordfish</td> <td>80</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2.</td> <td>Oracle Team Usa Slingsby</td> <td>80</td> </tr> <tr> <td>3.</td> <td>Emirates Team New Zealand</td> <td>71</td> </tr> <tr> <td>4.</td> <td>Luna Rossa Piranha</td> <td>70</td> </tr> <tr> <td>5.</td> <td>J.P. Morgan BAR</td> <td>65</td> </tr> <tr> <td>6.</td> <td>Energy Team</td> <td>58</td> </tr> <tr> <td>7.</td> <td>Artemis Racing White</td> <td>40</td> </tr> <tr> <td>8.</td> <td>HS Racing</td> <td>36</td> </tr> <tr> <td>9.</td> <td>China Team</td> <td>30</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>
Napoli – America’s Cup World Series – Luna Rossa Swordfish qualified for match race final
4/20/2013 Read More Luna Rossa Challenge 2013

<div id="attachment_2602" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/napoli-americas-cup-world-series/day-3/" rel="attachment wp-att-2602"><img class="size-full wp-image-2602" alt="© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2013/04/LunaRossaNapoli13cb_02827.jpg" width="960" height="640" /></a>© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi</div> <div id="attachment_2620" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/napoli-americas-cup-world-series/day-3-19/" rel="attachment wp-att-2620"><img class="size-full wp-image-2620" alt="© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2013/04/LunaRossaNapoli13cb_03237.jpg" width="960" height="640" /></a>© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi</div> <div id="attachment_2618" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/napoli-americas-cup-world-series/day-3-17/" rel="attachment wp-att-2618"><img class="size-full wp-image-2618" alt="© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2013/04/LunaRossaNapoli13cb_03199.jpg" width="960" height="640" /></a>© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi</div> <div id="attachment_2616" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/napoli-americas-cup-world-series/day-3-15/" rel="attachment wp-att-2616"><img class="size-full wp-image-2616" alt="© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2013/04/LunaRossaNapoli13cb_03161.jpg" width="960" height="640" /></a>© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi</div> <div id="attachment_2615" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/napoli-americas-cup-world-series/day-3-14/" rel="attachment wp-att-2615"><img class="size-full wp-image-2615" alt="© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2013/04/LunaRossaNapoli13cb_03126.jpg" width="960" height="640" /></a>© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi</div> <div id="attachment_2614" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/napoli-americas-cup-world-series/day-3-13/" rel="attachment wp-att-2614"><img class="size-full wp-image-2614" alt="© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2013/04/LunaRossaNapoli13cb_03091.jpg" width="960" height="640" /></a>© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi</div> <div id="attachment_2613" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/napoli-americas-cup-world-series/day-3-12/" rel="attachment wp-att-2613"><img class="size-full wp-image-2613" alt="© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2013/04/LunaRossaNapoli13cb_03080.jpg" width="960" height="640" /></a>© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi</div> <div id="attachment_2610" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/napoli-americas-cup-world-series/day-3-9/" rel="attachment wp-att-2610"><img class="size-full wp-image-2610" alt="© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2013/04/LunaRossaNapoli13cb_03060.jpg" width="960" height="640" /></a>© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi</div> <div id="attachment_2609" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/napoli-americas-cup-world-series/day-3-8/" rel="attachment wp-att-2609"><img class="size-full wp-image-2609" alt="© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2013/04/LunaRossaNapoli13cb_03024.jpg" width="960" height="640" /></a>© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi</div> <div id="attachment_2606" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/napoli-americas-cup-world-series/day-3-5/" rel="attachment wp-att-2606"><img class="size-full wp-image-2606" alt="© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2013/04/LunaRossaNapoli13cb_02976.jpg" width="960" height="640" /></a>© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi</div> <div id="attachment_2605" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/napoli-americas-cup-world-series/day-3-4/" rel="attachment wp-att-2605"><img class="size-full wp-image-2605" alt="© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2013/04/LunaRossaNapoli13cb_02876.jpg" width="960" height="640" /></a>© Luna Rossa/Carlo Borlenghi</div> Sun and partially cloudy skies, stronger wind, 12-14 knots from 210° with 1 meter waves Match Race 1 The day started with the “in-house” semi -final between the two Luna Rossa. Luna Rossa Swordfishes’ damages incurred in yesterday’s collision were repaired throughout the night. At the start both boats are penalized for OCS (early over the line), with Luna Rossa Swordfish on leeward. When accelerating again Luna Rossa Swordfish is in the better position, inside the mark and rounding both the reach and the leeward gate in front. On the windward leg, at the first cross, Draper closes the distance on Bruni but, being on port, is forced to give way. Bruni then chooses to sail on the left of the course where he finds more pressure, thus increasing his lead on Piranha. Swordfish will maintain his position up to the finish and qualifies for tomorrow’s match race finals. Fleet Race 1 Luna Rossa Piranha starts free in the middle of the line but is penalized for OCS (early over the line), whereas Swordfish on pin end is rolled and at the reaching mark lies 4th right behind Emirates Team New Zealand, Oracle and Artemis. On the first windward leg Piranha chooses the right of the course and closes the gap with the leaders who went for the offshore option. Half way on windward leg Luna Rossa Piranha also tacks offshore and finds stronger pressure. At the windward mark Luna Rossa Piranha rounds in 3rd place whereas Luna Rossa Swordfish loses contact with the leaders. At the leeward mark the positions are mostly unchanged. During the second windward leg Luna Rossa Swordfish, with careful tactics, gains positions and rounds the mark in 5th place, overtaking Artemis. On the final downwind the ranking is unchanged and Luna Rossa Piranha finishes 3rd, Luna Rossa Swordfish 5th. Fleet Race 2 Luna Rossa Swordfish starts well on the Committee boat whereas Luna Rossa Piranha, mid line, despite a good timing, is rolled. Luna Rossa Swordfish is first to round the reaching mark and at the leeward gate chooses the right side of the course, followed by Emirates Team New Zealand and Ben Ainslie Racing. At the first windward mark these positions are unchanged, with Artemis 4th but penalized for not giving way to Luna Rossa Piranha who then takes his position. On the downwind, sailing on the right of the course, Emirates Team New Zealand gains on Luna Rossa Swordfish and rounds the mark in front, followed by Ben Ainslie Racing and Luna Rossa Piranha. On the second windward and the following leeward leg the positions will not change, with Luna Rossa Swordfish finishing 2nd and Luna Rossa Piranha 4th. Luna Rossa skipper Max Sirena said: “Our first victory of the day was our shore team’s result; they worked all night and were able not only to repair the damages but to make Swordfish fit to win. Tomorrow we will sail the match race finals; today’s results also keep us in business for the final fleet podium.” Ranking <table width="300" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td>1.</td> <td>Emirates Team New Zealand</td> <td>60</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2.</td> <td>Oracle Team Usa Slingsby</td> <td>55</td> </tr> <tr> <td>3.</td> <td>J.P. Morgan BAR</td> <td>52</td> </tr> <tr> <td>4.</td> <td>Luna Rossa Piranha</td> <td>50</td> </tr> <tr> <td>5.</td> <td>Energy Team</td> <td>42</td> </tr> <tr> <td>6.</td> <td>Luna Rossa Swordfish</td> <td>40</td> </tr> <tr> <td>7.</td> <td>Artemis Racing White</td> <td>31</td> </tr> <tr> <td>8.</td> <td>HS Racing</td> <td>26</td> </tr> <tr> <td>9.</td> <td>China Team</td> <td>22</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>
The relationship between Iker Martinez and Luna Rossa was ended by mutual agreement.
1/21/2013 Read More Luna Rossa Challenge 2013

<a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/the-relationship-between-iker-martinez-and-luna-rossa-was-ended-by-mutual-agreement/lr2013_logo-jpg3_-392x260/" rel="attachment wp-att-2443"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2443" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2013/01/LR2013_logo.jpg3_-392x260.jpeg" alt="" width="392" height="260" /></a> “We decided together to close our working relationship. The entire Team has enormous respect for Iker, he is a great sailor, which is why he was selected to enter the Luna Rossa Team ” Max Sirena declared. We thank Iker very much for making a great contribution to the Team with his talent and his technical and tactical skills in this sport. We wish him all the best for his future challenges.
The Luna Rossa sailing and shore crew have all returned to the team’s Auckland base
1/9/2013 Read More Luna Rossa Challenge 2013

<div><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/the-luna-rossa-sailing-and-shore-crew-have-all-returned-to-the-teams-auckland-base/big_team_luna_rossa_varo_261012_auckalnd1_a-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-2437"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-2437" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2013/01/big_Team_Luna_Rossa_Varo_261012_Auckalnd1_a1.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="510" /></a></div> <div></div> <div></div> <div>The Luna Rossa sailing and shore crew have all returned to the team’s Auckland base to resume the training and development program.</div> <div>The plan for January is to make the most of the 13 remaining days allowed by the Protocol to sail the AC72 prior to the January 31st deadline.</div> <div>This coming week the team will be concentrating on match racing practice sessions with its two AC45 catamarans Luna Rossa Swordfish and Luna Rossa Piranha. Both boats were shipped back to Auckland from San Francisco following the end of the last America’s Cup World Series regattas in October 2012.</div> <div>At the same time an additional group of sailors will be training on the SL33 catamaran to practice foiling techniques.</div> <div>Starting from next week the crew will resume training on the Luna Rossa AC72 catamaran.</div> <div>The main goals for this first period will be a mix of crew training sessions around the course and speed tests. The training work on the AC72 will be alternated in the coming weeks with practice on the AC45 boats and on the SL33.</div>
Luna Rossa one year later: already flying on the foils.
12/14/2012 Read More Luna Rossa Challenge 2013

<div id="attachment_2386" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/auckland-december-2012-racing-vs-emirates-team-new-zealand-2/_u3c0539-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-2386"><img class="size-full wp-image-2386" alt="" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2012/12/U3C05391.jpg" width="960" height="510" /></a>@ LUNA ROSSA</div> <div id="attachment_2387" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/auckland-december-2012-racing-vs-emirates-team-new-zealand-2/_u3c0546-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-2387"><img class="size-full wp-image-2387" alt="" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2012/12/U3C05461.jpg" width="960" height="510" /></a>@ Luna Rossa</div> <div id="attachment_2388" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/auckland-december-2012-racing-vs-emirates-team-new-zealand-2/_u3c0587-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-2388"><img class="size-full wp-image-2388" alt="" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2012/12/U3C05871.jpg" width="960" height="510" /></a>© Luna Rossa</div> <div id="attachment_2389" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/auckland-december-2012-racing-vs-emirates-team-new-zealand-2/_u3c0664-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-2389"><img class="size-full wp-image-2389" alt="" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2012/12/U3C06641.jpg" width="960" height="510" /></a>© Luna Rossa</div> <div id="attachment_2390" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/auckland-december-2012-racing-vs-emirates-team-new-zealand-2/_u3c0752-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-2390"><img class="size-full wp-image-2390" alt="" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2012/12/U3C07521.jpg" width="960" height="510" /></a>© Luna Rossa</div> <div id="attachment_2391" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/auckland-december-2012-racing-vs-emirates-team-new-zealand-2/_u3c0910-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-2391"><img class="size-full wp-image-2391" alt="" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2012/12/U3C09101.jpg" width="960" height="510" /></a>© Luna Rossa</div> <div id="attachment_2392" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/auckland-december-2012-racing-vs-emirates-team-new-zealand-2/_u3c0948-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-2392"><img class="size-full wp-image-2392" alt="" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2012/12/U3C09481.jpg" width="960" height="510" /></a>© Luna Rossa</div> <div id="attachment_2398" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/auckland-december-2012-racing-vs-emirates-team-new-zealand-2/_u3c0996-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-2398"><img class="size-full wp-image-2398" alt="" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2012/12/U3C09961.jpg" width="960" height="510" /></a>© Luna Rossa</div> <div id="attachment_2399" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/auckland-december-2012-racing-vs-emirates-team-new-zealand-2/_u3c1005-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-2399"><img class="size-full wp-image-2399" alt="" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2012/12/U3C10051.jpg" width="960" height="510" /></a>© Luna Rossa</div> <div id="attachment_2400" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/auckland-december-2012-racing-vs-emirates-team-new-zealand-2/_u3c1070-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-2400"><img class="size-full wp-image-2400" alt="" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2012/12/U3C10701.jpg" width="960" height="510" /></a>© Luna Rossa</div> <div id="attachment_2401" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/auckland-december-2012-racing-vs-emirates-team-new-zealand-2/_u3c1081-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-2401"><img class="size-full wp-image-2401" alt="" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2012/12/U3C10811.jpg" width="960" height="510" /></a>© Luna Rossa</div> <div id="attachment_2402" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/auckland-december-2012-racing-vs-emirates-team-new-zealand-2/_u3c1111-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-2402"><img class="size-full wp-image-2402" alt="" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2012/12/U3C11111.jpg" width="960" height="510" /></a>© Luna Rossa</div> <div id="attachment_2403" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/auckland-december-2012-racing-vs-emirates-team-new-zealand-2/_u3c1127/" rel="attachment wp-att-2403"><img class="size-full wp-image-2403" alt="" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2012/12/U3C1127.jpg" width="960" height="510" /></a>© Luna Rossa</div> <div id="attachment_2404" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/auckland-december-2012-racing-vs-emirates-team-new-zealand-2/_u3c1148-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-2404"><img class="size-full wp-image-2404" alt="" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2012/12/U3C11481.jpg" width="960" height="510" /></a>© Luna Rossa</div> <div id="attachment_2406" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/auckland-december-2012-racing-vs-emirates-team-new-zealand-2/_u3c1189-3/" rel="attachment wp-att-2406"><img class="size-full wp-image-2406" alt="" src="http://americascup-news.com/lunarossa/files/2012/12/U3C11892.jpg" width="960" height="510" /></a>© Luna Rossa</div> On January 7, 2012, the first of the two AC 45 Luna Rossa catamarans was launched in Auckland, after rushing against time to put the yacht together and be ready to start training with Emirates Team New Zealand. “It feels like yesterday, but it’s almost one year!” says Max Sirena, skipper of Luna Rossa Challenge, as he gets off the yacht after a training session at sea. “An intense year” Max continues “when we lost not even a half day: we reached important goals and made substantial progress to make up for our late start. That was definitely a disadvantage, but from a different angle it was also a driver that pushed us to work better, more efficiently and quickly, by optimizing everything.” “In the last eleven months, we raced in the America’s Cup World Series, with excellent results, and at the end of October we launched our AC 72. It was not a point of arrival, rather a restart: we challenged ourselves to get to know the monster… Cautiously at first – our main concern was that of avoiding any damage that may delay our preparation! – then as we grew more and more confident, we pushed on the throttle ever more.” “We already sailed the yacht 13 times – in all wind ranges and sea conditions: from 5 knots and a flat sea to 27 knots with big waves – and we are planning to sail the 72 three more times before the Christmas holidays”. “Every day we sailed we learnt something new, and we discovered the yacht’s potential little by little. In this stage, we split our training days in three parts: performance, onboard system mechanics and match racing with Team New Zealand. The latter is the best way to understand whether everything works and to make both technical and sports progress.” “Today we can officially say that Luna Rossa does not just fly on the foils developed by our design team, but also that she flies very fast: many times we reached 37 knots of speed! It is an achievement we obtained thanks to hard work of all the team, and of the shore team and design team in particular, that allowed us to plunge on so fast; I want to thank them on behalf of all of us!” “Now the team deserves some rest. On December 19, we will suspend our activities until the new year, and on January 7 we will resume both the training programme and the technical and sports development: next year is the year of the America’s Cup!”
NASCAR pays a visit to Pier 80
6/22/2013 Read More ORACLE TEAM USA

<img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-5173" alt="GG13-SFOJUNE-07867" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2013/06/GG13-SFOJUNE-07867-960x640.jpg" width="960" height="640" /> Before his practice session at the Sonoma Raceway on Friday, NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin spent the morning with ORACLE TEAM USA in San Francisco. Skipper Jimmy Spithill toured him through the team base and onto the AC72 platform, and the two quickly noted many similarities between operations. “It was awesome,” Spithill said of Hamlin’s visit. “He’s a really good guy, and I’m a massive fan of NASCAR. I didn’t use to be, but really got into it since I moved here. “The first thing he said when he walked in was that this reminded him of his set-up,” Spithill continued. “They produce everything in-house, so do we, and we both have big support teams behind us, plus there are a lot of similarities in technology.” Hamlin will be behind the wheel of his No. 11 car for his first road course race of the season on Sunday in Sonoma, Calif. This season marks his eighth full year in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. “This has been one of the coolest experiences,” Hamlin said. “To see how much technology goes into these boats – it’s all run just like a race team. From the engineering to the drivers to all the data points on the boat itself. They’re trying to reduce drag, just like we’re trying to reduce drag. “I have never sailed, but I’ve watched the America’s Cup,” Hamlin continued. “It’s amazing to see what these guys do and how physically fit they are. For me, this has been an amazing experience.” Hamlin, who was joined by Pascal Brouard, CEO of TAG Heuer Eyewear, on the base tour, watched ORACLE TEAM USA prep the boat and dock out for a day of training on the San Francisco Bay. Several members of ORACLE TEAM USA will be following Hamlin at the race on Sunday in Sonoma. On Thursday, NASCAR President Mike Helton also visited the team base at Pier 80. <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-5174" alt="GG13-SFOJUNE-07832" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2013/06/GG13-SFOJUNE-07832-960x640.jpg" width="960" height="640" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-5175" alt="GG13-SFOJUNE-07854" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2013/06/GG13-SFOJUNE-07854-960x640.jpg" width="960" height="640" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-5177" alt="GG13-SFOJUNE-07789" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2013/06/GG13-SFOJUNE-07789-960x640.jpg" width="960" height="640" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-5178" alt="GG13-SFOJUNE-07906" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2013/06/GG13-SFOJUNE-07906-960x640.jpg" width="960" height="640" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-5179" alt="GG13-SFOJUNE-07749" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2013/06/GG13-SFOJUNE-07749-960x640.jpg" width="960" height="640" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-5180" alt="GG13-SFOJUNE-07654" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2013/06/GG13-SFOJUNE-07654-960x640.jpg" width="960" height="640" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-5181" alt="GG13-SFOJUNE-07683" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2013/06/GG13-SFOJUNE-07683-960x640.jpg" width="960" height="640" />
ORACLE TEAM USA launches second AC72
4/24/2013 Read More ORACLE TEAM USA

<img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4909" alt="GG13-SFOAPR-05851" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2013/04/GG13-SFOAPR-05851-960x639.jpg" width="960" height="640" /> ORACLE TEAM USA officially launched the team’s second AC72 today, April 23, from the team base at Pier 80 in San Francisco. Helmsman Jimmy Spithill led the team and audience in a toast after Oracle Chief Marketing Officer Judy Sim broke a bottle of champagne across the bowsprit. The boat was then lowered into the San Francisco Bay before docking out for the first time. “It’s an awesome day. We’re all very, very excited to get it out on the water,” said Spithill. “We hope to develop the fastest AC72 that will hit the Bay. There’s been a lot of energy, a lot of hours, put into this boat from the entire team. Now, it’s up to the sailors, along with the support of the rest of the team, to get out there and really try to get the most out of this boat.” Spithill recognized the months of work put into the design and build of the boat in preparation for the launch. “We have the best, most committed shore team, build team, design team, and the entire team is behind us, supporting us,” he said. “They’re the first to arrive, the last to leave, work 7 days a week, just to provide us with a reliable, race-winning boat, ready to go.” Named ORACLE TEAM USA 17, the boat is the second AC72 launched by ORACLE TEAM USA and marks the start of the next phase in the team’s campaign. Training commences on the new boat this week, and by late spring the team plans to have both AC72s on the Bay as they prepare to defend the America’s Cup this September. “There’s been an enormous amount of work that has gone into this boat,” said CEO Russell Coutts during the launch. “It represents extreme performance and extreme engineering. It represents a significant improvement in performance over where we’ve been before. And probably most importantly, this represents the boat that is going to defend the America’s Cup, for America, in America.” The event included remarks from San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, who noted that this is a week of celebration as the Port of San Francisco marks its 150th anniversary tomorrow. Bay Area native and ORACLE TEAM USA tactician John Kostecki described the thrill of sailing on the San Francisco Bay. “We’re going fast, probably faster than a car on the Golden Gate Bridge,” Kostecki said. “Upwind we’re doing speeds of around 20 knots, downwind we’re doing speeds over 40 knots. It’s really going to be interesting to take into account the current, that is ever-so-changing, and the winds that are ever-so-changing here on the Bay. That’s what keeps San Francisco an interesting and exciting place to race sail boats because it’s always different every day.” The day’s sailing session was cut short as winds were blowing above 20 knots. The team plans to be back out on the water later this week. “It’s all coming together,” said trimmer Joey Newton. “It was a tough time after the capsize, and we felt like we were a little behind the other teams, and I think we were. Now, it really feels like we have everything pointed in the right direction, and we’re starting to make pretty big steps. We’ve got high hopes for this boat, and I’m sure it’s going to be fast.” <iframe width="584" height="329" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/gKLWSexq71o?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4910" alt="GG13-SFOAPR-05807" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2013/04/GG13-SFOAPR-05807-960x639.jpg" width="960" height="840" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4911" alt="GG13-SFOAPR-05252" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2013/04/GG13-SFOAPR-05252-960x639.jpg" width="960" height="640" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4912" alt="GG13-SFOAPR-05906" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2013/04/GG13-SFOAPR-05906-960x639.jpg" width="960" height="640" /> <img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4913" alt="GG13-SFOAPR-05464" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2013/04/GG13-SFOAPR-05464-960x639.jpg" width="960" height="640" />
Special Delivery
12/25/2012 Read More ORACLE TEAM USA

<a href="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/special-delivery/oracle-racing-23/" rel="attachment wp-att-4222"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4222" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2012/12/ORACLE_WING2-1372.jpg" alt="" width="787" height="525" /></a> ORACLE TEAM USA’s holiday gift is on the way. The new wing was wrapped, pushed out of the shed at Core Builders Composites, and loaded onto the ship in New Zealand. It will arrive under the roof of the team base in San Francisco in January. “It’s been a massive effort,” said Chris Mellow, project manager at Core Builders Composites. “Everyone has really done tremendous work to recover from where we were in October – we’ve achieved a lot and built a lot.” After delivery to Pier 80, the wing will be assembled. New flaps have been constructed and are waiting at the team base. Once tested, the wing will be fitted to a repaired ORACLE TEAM USA 17, and the boat is expected to be ready to sail again in early February. At the same time, work continues for teams of boat builders. Boat 2 construction continues in San Francisco, and building of the next wing is underway in New Zealand. “It’s as busy an America’s Cup as ever,” said Tim Smyth, ORACLE TEAM USA construction manager. [PHOTOS: Ivor Wilkins] <iframe width="584" height="329" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/uFbMA0LIuJU?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>   <a href="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/special-delivery/oracle-racing-24/" rel="attachment wp-att-4223"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4223" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2012/12/ORACLE_WING2-130.jpg" alt="" width="787" height="525" /></a> <a href="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/special-delivery/oracle-racing-25/" rel="attachment wp-att-4224"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4224" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2012/12/ORACLE_WING2-167.jpg" alt="" width="787" height="536" /></a> <a href="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/special-delivery/oracle-racing-26/" rel="attachment wp-att-4225"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4225" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2012/12/ORACLE_WING2-203.jpg" alt="" width="787" height="525" /></a> <a href="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/special-delivery/oracle-racing-27/" rel="attachment wp-att-4226"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4226" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2012/12/ORACLE_WING2-243.jpg" alt="" width="787" height="525" /></a> <a href="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/special-delivery/oracle-racing-28/" rel="attachment wp-att-4227"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4227" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2012/12/ORACLE_WING2-256.jpg" alt="" width="787" height="525" /></a> <a href="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/special-delivery/oracle-racing-29/" rel="attachment wp-att-4228"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4228" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2012/12/ORACLE_WING2-308.jpg" alt="" width="787" height="525" /></a> <a href="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/special-delivery/oracle-racing-30/" rel="attachment wp-att-4229"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4229" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2012/12/ORACLE_WING2-324.jpg" alt="" width="787" height="525" /></a> <a href="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/special-delivery/oracle-racing-31/" rel="attachment wp-att-4230"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4230" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2012/12/ORACLE_WING2-380.jpg" alt="" width="787" height="525" /></a> <a href="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/special-delivery/oracle-racing-32/" rel="attachment wp-att-4231"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4231" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2012/12/ORACLE_WING2-402.jpg" alt="" width="787" height="525" /></a> <a href="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/special-delivery/oracle-racing-33/" rel="attachment wp-att-4232"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4232" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2012/12/ORACLE_WING2-434.jpg" alt="" width="787" height="525" /></a>
Recover Repair Resolve
12/19/2012 Read More ORACLE TEAM USA

<a href="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/recover-repair-resolve/img_004177-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-4207"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4207" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2012/12/IMG_0041771-960x640.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" /></a> With a little more than a week remaining in the year, the focus for ORACLE TEAM USA hasn’t changed. All eyes have been on 2013 for months, for years, with the same goal in mind: defending the America’s Cup in San Francisco next September. Ask any member of the team their New Year’s resolution and it likely involves winning the Cup. Or more immediately, it’s sailing ORACLE TEAM USA 17 again. “The capsize has definitely been a setback,” said ORACLE TEAM USA general manager Grant Simmer. “We have lost a lot of sailing time and a lot of time for the team to figure out the new boat, which will be difficult to recover. We’re a sailing team, and it’s not great to be watching your competitors sailing when we’re unable to – that’s been tough. But, all of the team has really focused on fixing the issues, fixing the boat and getting back on the water as soon as possible.” When the team’s AC72 pitch-poled in San Francisco Bay on October 16, the schedule changed. The wing was in pieces, the pod beat up, the hulls damaged from both water and as a result of the wing breaking apart. Instead of waiting until the end of the year to reflect, the team found itself evaluating the program a couple months early. “We’ve used the time to really reassess the entire program, to be more realistic about our planning, to be careful not to try to do too much, but to do everything that’s important and critical to development,” Simmer said. “We’ve become more mindful of the risks.” The boat was dismantled – beams disconnected, systems removed – and the broken wing stripped down to salvageable pieces. Work began immediately, and two major boat build projects were soon underway at the team base at Pier 80. Repairs of boat 1 began side-by-side with the build of boat 2. “We’re very grateful for all of the guys here who have had to dig deep to make this all happen,” said Mark Turner, ORACLE TEAM USA shore team manager. “The repairs of boat 1 certainly haven’t been the easiest of tasks to accomplish, and the list wasn’t small. That’s all been going on in parallel to building boat 2. So, there’s been a lot going on here, just as there’s been a lot going on in New Zealand with getting wing 2 built. Both places – here and in New Zealand at Core Builders Composites – have been going along at a good clip. “The entire shore crew has pitched in and done things they’re not really accustomed to doing, whether it’s helping with the repairs on boat 1, composite work, putting together flaps for wing 2, or helping out with boat 2’s assembly process,” Turner said. The second AC72 wing was already under construction, so timeline on completion was adjusted. That wing is scheduled to arrive to San Francisco early in the new year. “After the capsize, the first step was assessing the extent of damage,” Simmer said. “Clearly we had almost totally lost the wing. Luckily we had another wing in production at that time, and so we accelerated that process. With the platform we found there was quite a lot of water ingress in the hulls and the areas where the boat had suffered damage. So, we’ve repaired all of that, and the platform is currently going back together.” Composite repair work has been completed and beams reattached. As the team heads into a much-needed holiday break, the work list on boat 1 will be whittled down. At the start of the year, “it’s all going to happen pretty quickly,” Turner said, with hydraulic systems, wench systems, nets and more going back in place. The new wing will arrive and testing will commence. At the same time, boat 2 construction remains full steam ahead. While the schedule may have changed, and plans adjusted, all have remained clearly focused on 2013. All are anxious to get the first AC72 back on the water. And, all have the same goal in the new year – to win. “The team has really had to stand up to take on the extra work on getting the boat fixed, and they’ve responded fantastically,” Simmer said. “You end up with more resolve at the end of a process like this. That’s true for this team, and I think we will be stronger because of it. “We’ll be out sailing again at the beginning of February in our repaired and modified boat. We’re looking forward to a long list of testing and development that will ultimately lead us to the Cup. It’s going to be a busy and exciting year for all of us.” <a href="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/recover-repair-resolve/img_000276/" rel="attachment wp-att-4202"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4202" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2012/12/IMG_000276-960x640.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" /></a> <a href="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/recover-repair-resolve/img_001571/" rel="attachment wp-att-4203"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4203" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2012/12/IMG_001571-960x640.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" /></a> <a href="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/recover-repair-resolve/img_003526/" rel="attachment wp-att-4204"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4204" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2012/12/IMG_003526-960x640.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" /></a> <a href="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/recover-repair-resolve/img_003553/" rel="attachment wp-att-4205"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4205" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2012/12/IMG_003553-960x640.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="640" /></a> <iframe width="584" height="329" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xgC3oXOv60I?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
ORACLE TEAM USA Selects Two Teams to Train for Red Bull Youth America’s Cup
11/29/2012 Read More ORACLE TEAM USA

<a href="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/oracle-team-usa-selects-two-teams-to-train-for-red-bull-youth-americas-cup/gg12-sfonovt-01428/" rel="attachment wp-att-4118"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4118" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2012/11/GG12-SFONOVT-01428-960x639.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="639" /></a> SAN FRANCISCO – Before the 34th America’s Cup gets underway, crews of youth sailors will have their chance in the spotlight. The Red Bull Youth America’s Cup begins Sept. 1, 2013, and today ORACLE TEAM USA announced two U.S.-based teams to earn a spot in the final. Team America Racing will represent the USA, and American Youth Sailing Force will represent San Francisco. Both will now spend the next nine months training for the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup under the tutelage of ORACLE TEAM USA. “It’s honestly the most amazing feeling ever,” said Team America Racing trimmer and team manager Jacob La Dow (San Diego, Calif./St. Mary’s College of Maryland). “It’s a dream come true, and at first I couldn’t really believe we had done it. In the beginning of this process, we weren’t as organized. But, with a lot of practice and communication we really came together as a team.” Six crews entered the team selection trials, which included two-day training sessions at the ORACLE TEAM USA base in San Francisco. The trials featured physical training and instruction both on and off the water, and the teams sailed onboard an AC45 for the first time under the supervision of ORACLE TEAM USA sailors – the same class of wingsail catamarans raced in the America’s Cup World Series. “It’s a massive stepping stone toward getting involved with the America’s Cup,” said ORACLE TEAM USA coach Darren Bundock. “We were looking for a variety of things – mainly potential – and finding those teams that gelled together and that we think can go forward and win the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup.” The teams were evaluated on several factors, such as boat handling, trimming skills and crew communication. All were mentored by ORACLE TEAM USA sailors and coaches, Philippe Presti along with Bundock, during the selection process, and they will continue to receive coaching and guidance through to the finals. “Our team is very honored – it means we performed well in the selection and are on the right track, and that they feel we have what it takes to do well in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup,” said Team America Racing skipper Charlie Buckingham (Newport Beach, Calif./graduated Georgetown University). “To be able to learn from ORACLE TEAM USA is going to be so huge for our team. Now we can keep getting better with some expert help.” The youth sailors are ages 19-24 and hail from around the U.S., including many from the San Francisco Bay Area. The crews are made up of collegiate All-Americans, youth World medalists and members of US Sailing’s Development Team. Six sailors are onboard for each crew, one more than America’s Cup World Series teams as the youth sailors are, on average, 40-50 pounds lighter than a Cup sailor. “I grew up sailing on the San Francisco Bay, so I feel very comfortable in the Bay and have sailed in pretty much any condition. Everyone on our team has sailed there at one point or another,” said American Youth Sailing Force skipper Michael Radziejowski (San Francisco, Calif./UC Santa Cruz). “Sailing a catamaran on the Bay is definitely going to be a huge challenge, but I feel confident with our team, and I think everyone has the same appreciation for the Bay.” Many sailors on both Team America Racing and the American Youth Sailing Force will now balance training for the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup with attending university and competing on their university sailing teams, while others will balance daily professional work schedules. They will make periodic trips to train with ORALCE TEAM USA in the coming months, with more extensive training to take place next summer. “It’s a huge weight lifted off our shoulders to be selected,” said Ian Andrewes, American Youth Sailing Force team manager. “But, now going into this next step, it doesn’t mean it’s going to get easier. I think everyone on the team realizes how much we’ve all been working towards this goal, and we’ll continue to push hard through to the finals.” The Red Bull Youth America’s Cup finals run September 1-4, 2013, in San Francisco Bay. Additional teams will be selected through the Selection Series to take place in February. Watch the selection process <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUyk4_SiGtc">HERE</a>.   TEAM AMERICA RACING Name, Age, Hometown, University Charlie Buckingham, 23, Newport Beach, Calif., Georgetown University (graduated) Jacob La Dow, 19, San Diego, Calif., St. Mary’s College of Maryland Graham Landy, 19, Virginia Beach, Va., Yale University Jake Reynolds, 19, San Diego, Calif., College of Charleston Nevin Snow, 19, San Diego, Calif., Georgetown University John Wallace, 20, St. Petersburg, Fla., St. Mary’s College of Maryland Matthew Whitehead, 19, Tampa, Fla., University of South Florida   AMERICAN YOUTH SAILING FORCE Name, Age, Hometown, University Ian Andrewes, 22, Seattle, Wash., Pacific Maritime Institute (graduated) David Liebenberg, 21, San Francisco, Calif., Tufts University Michael Menninger, 23, Newport Beach, Calif., St. Mary’s College of Maryland Tomas Pastalka, 22, Tiburon, Calif., UC Santa Cruz Matt Pistay, 22, Zenda, Wis. Michael Radziejowski, 21, Alameda, Calif., UC Santa Cruz Evan Sjostedt, 19, Long Beach, Calif., Seattle University * Rosters subject to change. Red Bull Youth America’s Cup – Upcoming Dates: Early December 2012 – Confirmation of youth teams invited to Red Bull Youth America’s Cup Selection Series (trials for non-US teams) February 9-24, 2013 – Red Bull Youth America’s Cup Selection Series in San Francisco (USA & San Francisco teams advance directly to finals) September 1-4, 2013 – Red Bull Youth America’s Cup in San Francisco   Find more on the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup <a href="http://www.americascup.com/">online</a> or on the event <a href="http://www.facebook.com/redbullyouthamericascup">Facebook</a> page. <a href="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/oracle-team-usa-selects-two-teams-to-train-for-red-bull-youth-americas-cup/gg12-sfonovt-01284/" rel="attachment wp-att-4119"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4119" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2012/11/GG12-SFONOVT-01284-960x639.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="639" /></a> <a href="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/oracle-team-usa-selects-two-teams-to-train-for-red-bull-youth-americas-cup/gg12-sfonovt-01437/" rel="attachment wp-att-4120"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4120" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2012/11/GG12-SFONOVT-01437-960x639.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="639" /></a> <a href="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/oracle-team-usa-selects-two-teams-to-train-for-red-bull-youth-americas-cup/gg12-sfonovt-01457/" rel="attachment wp-att-4121"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4121" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2012/11/GG12-SFONOVT-01457-960x639.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="639" /></a> <a href="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/oracle-team-usa-selects-two-teams-to-train-for-red-bull-youth-americas-cup/gg12-sfonovt-02614/" rel="attachment wp-att-4122"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4122" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2012/11/GG12-SFONOVT-02614-960x639.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="639" /></a> <a href="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/oracle-team-usa-selects-two-teams-to-train-for-red-bull-youth-americas-cup/gg12-sfonovt-02699-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-4123"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4123" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2012/11/GG12-SFONOVT-026991-960x639.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="639" /></a> <a href="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/oracle-team-usa-selects-two-teams-to-train-for-red-bull-youth-americas-cup/gg12-sfonovt-02566-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-4124"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-4124" src="http://americascup-news.com/oracle/files/2012/11/GG12-SFONOVT-025661-960x639.jpg" alt="" width="960" height="639" /></a>   <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUyk4_SiGtc">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUyk4_SiGtc</a>
Olympic medalist joins Team Korea
9/20/2012 Read More Team Korea

<div id="attachment_649" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 970px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/korea/olympic-medalist-joins-team-korea/imgfilisrc-1/" rel="attachment wp-att-649"><img class="size-large wp-image-649" src="http://americascup-news.com/korea/files/2012/09/imgfilisrc-1-960x640.jpeg" alt="Team Korea" width="960" height="640" /></a>© ACEA / Gilles Martin-Raget</div> Peter Burling will exchange the helm of his 49er two-person skiff, in which he won a silver medal at the London 2012 Olympics, for the helm of a five person AC45 wing-sailed catamaran. <div id="attachment_644" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 243px"><a href="http://americascup-news.com/korea/olympic-medalist-joins-team-korea/peter-burling/" rel="attachment wp-att-644"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-644" src="http://americascup-news.com/korea/files/2012/09/Peter-Burling-233x260.jpeg" alt="Peter Burling" width="233" height="260" /></a>© Yachting New Zealand</div> The 21-year old New Zealander has been named as the new skipper for Team Korea’s White Tiger Challenge, which will contest the next round of the America’s Cup World Series in San Francisco 2-7 October. At just 21, Burling becomes the youngest skipper in the competition by a considerable margin, a position he is familiar with, having been the youngest ever sailor to represent New Zealand at the Olympic Games, when he sailed in the 470 class in 2008 in China. With a subsequent move into the 49er, Burling and his crew Blair Tuke earned back to back second place finishes in the 2011 and 2012 World Championships before winning the Olympic Silver medal at the London Games in August. Dong Young-Kim, founder of Team Korea, said: “Peter is the type of young talented newcomer who has been attracted by the high performance boats used in the America’s Cup World Series and we look forward to continuing the team’s strong performances. We are proud of what our new team has achieved in its first-ever participation in the America’s Cup.” One other crew change for this event will be two-time Volvo Ocean Race competitor Andy McLean (NZL) who comes in for Mark Bulkeley (GBR) who has a prior engagement – his own wedding. Team Korea plans to start training in San Francisco from September 24.

Team News & Standings

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