The rudder blade at every catamaran hull.
Layline
Foil
Wingsail
Dial-Up
Video Briefing: Understanding the race course
Sail around the race course on this guided tour with video and graphics. You’ll understand how to sail the course and learn about some tactics and maneuvers along the way. Please add a comment. Tweet the link if you like it. Tell us if you don’t. If you have questions after seeing it, Ask Jack.
America’s Cup Village in San Francisco, 2013 Where’s Artemis?
Here’s the America’s Cup Village planned for San Francisco in 2013. Super yachts, public areas and stage with giant screen, and 4 AC72 catamarans on the hard, with the flags of USA, France, Italy and New Zealand. Not Sweden? Where is our Challenger of Record, “Artemis?” Perhaps too smart to risk putting their race boat on display?
Video briefing: AC45 wingsail
This video shows the AC45 wingsail, but it will also give a good idea of the general principles of the AC72 wings. Remember that the AC45 is a one design boat, so all the wings are the same. For the AC72’s each team can design its own wing.
Video briefing: AC45 catamaran crew and controls
The AC45 catamaran has 5 crew, 3 winches on each hull and lots of strings to pull. This video explains who does what. Comments and feedback welcome. And, at the end of the video if you have a question, “Just ask Jack!”
Nationality rules for sailors? for designers?
Since there is no ACWS racing until April, people on some sailing forums are discussing nationality rules.
Let’s look at history…
For those arguing in favor of nationality rules for the crew and designers, here are a few inconvenient facts:
- America won the Cup in 1851 with an English pilot and six English sailors on board.
- When the America’s Cup competition was created in 1857 (by the first Deed of Gift) there were no nationality requirements, not even “constructed in country.”
- The current (3rd) Deed of Gift of 1887 only requires the yachts to be constructed in the country of the challenging Club.
- In the 19th century, it was common practice for American defending yachts to use foreign sailors and an all American crew in 1899 was significant news.
- Most of the crew (of 66! seamen) of Reliance in 1903 were Scandinavian fishermen. I believe the 6? afterguard members were Americans.
- During the J-Class era (1930-1937) and the 12-Metre period in Newport (1958-1983), a practice had developed to use crew from the country of the competing yacht.
- In 1958 when the Australian Livingstone brothers enquired about engaging an American designer, the New York Yacht Club passed a “Trustee Interpretative Resolution” requiring designers of a yacht to be nationals of the country of the competing Yacht Club.
- In 1980 after American Andy Rose sailed on Australia, the New York Yacht Club passed another Trustee Interpretative Resolution, requiring sailors to be nationals of the country of the competing club. After nationality could be acquired by merely having a house or apartment available in a country, the rule had little efficiency.
So, see, it was not until 1980 that there was a “rule” about crew nationality.
Now, don’t get me wrong – I’m not necessarily against nationality rules. In fact, I think nationality rules (at least for the crew) would be the lowest cost way to spike interest among the general public.
Just don’t argue that “we should go back to the old tradition of nationality rules.” The only such rules were made by the NYYC and (to my knowledge) were never challenged in court.
I can see it now… The next Defender and their pre-selected CoR institute Nationality Rules, and back to the NY Supreme Court we go, as other teams sue to ensure that the DoG is respected. Wouldn’t that be entertaining?
What do you think? Post a comment!
(Bonus question: When were the Trustee Interpretative Resolutions abandoned and by whom? Hint: one of the parties is the current Defender.)
Why do we care so much about the Cup??
Let’s have a look at history, to see why so many people have been fascinated by America’s Cup…
Cup Experience Briefing: America’s Cup History
Enjoy the ACWS or criticize – your choice. My take on the show…
I’ve been to both Cascais and Plymouth. Working in the media center, listening to the journos who’ve been around the AC for a long time. Everyone is impressed. Everyone enjoys the show. The fleet race on Sunday 18 Sep was a great example – 3 crews with lots of time in the boats were RACING – TNZ, Coutts, Spithill. Artemis might well have been right up there with them had they not crashed into GreenComm in the pre-start. Korea and Aleph battled hard for 4th and 5th. GreenComm retired following the crash with Artemis. Energy capsized before the start (first time for Loïck) while avoiding Korea who were backing down. Energy got back on their feet and finished 6th. China Team capsized at the first reach mark, but got right side up and finished 7th. Artemis battled almost to the finish, but, having taken on water in their damaged starboard hull, capsized near the finish and were DNF. In summary: a good race among the teams with the most experience in the boat. A good battle further down in the field. Signs that, with more time on the water the less experienced teams will get better. And, in the meantime, in heavy air, there are 2 good shows: good racing among “the best sailors” and thrills and spills among the others.
The AC45s are great for preparing for the AC72s. ACTV is doing a good job of making it easier to enjoy the show. (Big tip of the hat to Stan Honey.) The early “Acts” of AC32 didn’t count for anything in the LVC or the AC Match. But they were entertaining, built public interest and gave value to sponsors. For AC34, the ACWS will help attract sponsors, build public interest and be entertaining. Enjoy the show.
Get your rear ends to San Diego. Don’t be too quick to criticize if you haven’t seen it first hand. This is a bit like the old advice “never criticize another Indian until you’ve walked a mile in his moccassins.” If you come see it and still don’t like it, fine. But I think you’ll be in the minority. Don’t worry. Be happy. Your choice.
Your comments?
Wind up to 30 knots + figure 8 course = Challenging fleet race
Today’s America’s Cup World Series Fleet Race in Plymouth, England will be sailed in 19 – 22 knots of wind with gusts to 30. Add in a figure 8 race course and the teams will have plenty of work to do. (Update: the race committee decided to use a more conventional course, since the winds will be even stronger than originally thought.) The race should take 40 minutes and starts at 15:00 UK time. Watch the race live.
Sailing the course: Start,
– leave Mid-Course Mark 1 to starboard, leave Mid-Course Mark 2 to port, pass through the Leeward Gate,
– upwind to Windwardward Mark (leave to starboard), leave Mid-Course Mark 1 to starboard, leave Mid-Course Mark 2 to port, pass through the Leeward Gate,
– upwind to Windwardward Mark (leave to starboard), Finish.
The names in green are the names of the mark boats. “Regardless” and “Columbia” move after the Start to their position as the Finish. And, the Race Committee will move the other mark boats as the wind shifts. Lots of work for everyone on the water today!
Update
Yes, I’ve changed the site. No, I’m not done.
After tearing my hair out fighting with the plugins, CSS, backups and everything else that gives WordPress its power, I found something far better for me. Now I can focus on content for you, rather than trying to upgrade my webmaster skills. I hope you like it. It will continue to evolve during March. If you like it, tell your friends. If you don’t, or if you have suggestions, tell me.
America’s Cup History in under six minutes
America’s Cup History: How did this yacht race become one of the the world’s iconic sporting events?
Get the background in under six minutes.
The African Queen
I operated The African Queen as the VIP hospitality boat for Team Shosholoza from April to July 2007 during the Act 13 fleet races, the Louis Vuitton Cup and the 32nd America’s Cup Match. This was a very cool project. I worked my butt off – charter the boat, decorate her, sell the tickets, give the VIP Guest Briefing at the Shosholoza base and, most fun of all, do the commentary on the water. My first question to guests: “Has anyone ever been on a sailboat before?” About 20% would raise hands. Among them experienced racing sailors including an AC winners and at least one Olympic gold medalist. I learned how to entertain them all, without dumbing it down. Great fun!
America’s Cup hospitality – race boat Shosholoza comes by the African Queen to give guests a close look.
Before boarding, African Queen guests enjoyed the coolest rooftop at the 32nd America’s Cup.
African Queen guests got the backstage tour at Team Shosholoza in the America’s Cup village in Valencia.
Shosholoza won a lot of races including a victory over Luna Rossa, helmed by a certain Jimmy Spithill, in the LVC Round Robin on 24 April 2007 in the lead up to the 32nd America’s Cup Match.
We didn’t will all the races, but we never lost a party. When the wind was too light to race, we cranked up our music and soon attracted the Race Committee and other boats who came over to listen.
Spectator boat traffic could be heavy!
All the Spaniards wanted to get next to Desafio Espanol the day she won a race against ETNZ in LVC semis
Shosholoza racing Emirates Team New Zealand – pre-start action.
Why did TNZ bowman go overboard in the fleet race?
Why did TNZ bowman Winston Macfarlane fall overboard?
This is where you’ll add the content you want to show. In this example, only logged-in “CLUB” members will see this content.
Because the winch handle broke. Have a look at about 17 seconds into this video. Winston was sprinting across the net, and threw all his weight into grinding. Unfortunately the material wasn’t up to the load. A trimmer on another team told me they break winch handles pretty regularly.
New engraving on the Auld Mug…
Did you enjoy this post? Leave a comment and let me know what kind of info and photos you’d like…