Americas Cup

[rsterne]

Testing was last weekend at Bahrain, instead of in Spain.... Verstappen was fastest, not that means much in the pre-season.... I'm hoping for a good F1 season this year....

You didn't happen to race cars, too, did you?....



That's me at Westwood in 1973.... It was cropped out of this photo....



Sure was a LOT of fun.... 

Bob

[Stinger177]

That's Classic. Is that a Morgan?

I'll send you a PM about my non-existent car racing history.

I had much more fun sailing however.

 

[Novagun]

Classic cars. Once upon a time a nearly bought an MG Hornet. 1937 model if I remember correctly.  I didn't because I had extreme difficulty getting into it and when I shoehorned in there was not enough room to work the pedals.
What you are saying about falling off the foils makes sense but I would have thought they would have the drill all sorted out by now. With light winds on the Waitemata there are holes in the wind, just dead patches with no wind, the same happens here even in Cook Strait. Lose the wind, lose the power, no lift and splash.  Then you have to wait for the wind to come before you can get going again.

The contest is not over and beware of Jimmy Spittal. He is very very good. Today I wonder if Burling had a plan to force Luna Rossa into a light patch or it just happened that way at that time.
Pressure on the opposition. Burling has never lost a contest but there is always a first time.

[rsterne]

Yep, a 1972 Morgan 4/4 1600 GT....

bob

[Novagun]

Southerly 10 knots easing to variable 5 late morning then northeast 10 for a time late afternoon. So another calm day on the Waitemata but there could be some local breeze.
The next day is a bit better.
Speculation: No start today.

[rsterne]

I'd like to see at least one race with 20 knots....

Bob

[rsterne]

DONE....

[rsterne]

AND....

[rsterne]

DUSTED....

[rsterne]

Congratulations to the Kiwis.... 

Bob

[Novagun]

Well the anxiety is over. Did you see the bloke on the spectator boat with red socks. We had two women from Auckland watching with us and they went and put their Peter Blake red socks on just before the start. Must have worked. Peter Burling got it together and showed he is a great skipper.
Well done Team New Zealand and well done Luna Rossa. You kept Burling up to the mark.

[rsterne]

I hope they keep the same boat rules for the next challenge.... A return to keel boats would be boring, now.... 

Bob

[Novagun]

During the running of the America's Cup  I have been very busy, too busy for an old bloke but I made time to watch every race. It is slowly sinking in what a magnificent event that was. Two of the best helmsmen, maybe the best, in the world clashing in the two most advanced sailing vessels in the world.
There is no word on the challenger of record as yet but it has to be Italy because they are well down the track of development. These boats I venture to say have more to give their crews. Speed and safety might be a major point for AC37 because they will top 60 knots. Of that I feel sure. Grant Dalton has said that the boats  will be AC75s. They whoever they are have mooted a rule that the boats may be sailed only by sailers from country of origin.  There are pros and cons with that  but at least it will prevent what happens with the international rugby teams employing highly paid gladiators.
Lets keep the AC37 as sport. Clean good fun sport. The technical spin offs belong to the teams.

For our little forum I note that only three of us were intrigued by this world class event that has so much history of American competition involved in it. I merely note it and certainly don't decry Americans or anyone else that have other interests.

Kapai Te Rehutai. Kapai Luna Rossa.     (Luna Rossa second but not losers.