America's Cup
- Thread starter shemandr
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I have been following the action on the facebook America's Cup page and there is concern that because these boats are so far removed from anything we might ever sail that it might ultimately be a net negative for sailing. While I can't identify in any way with these sailing machines I still find the whole thing amazing and captivating. Perhaps the closest thing we have in our area are iceboats which readily exceed the wind speed. Sail on dudes, I'll keep watching.
So do I!
I've looked at the TV coverage schedule and it won't start until the AC series in September. So don't sit by your remotes looking for it. They may have some broadcasts in the final rounds of the challenger series - the Louis Vuitton Cup - I guess if the viewership online gets the ratings. So, if you want to see it on TV, watch it online here:
http://www.youtube.com/americascup.
Meanwhile I'm stuck on the reaching starts and the fact that the two contenders enter the start area from different ends. Doesn't that mean that one will be to weather of the other? It seems like the upwind boat would have a distinct advantage - like clean air. Can anyone suggest what the leeward boat would do tactically to get to weather? Maybe I can't wrap my head around the speed and power of these boats.
Went out today and watched New Zealand race around the course by themselves. Prada backed out at the last minute over some rules changes to make the racing safer. Today is the first day of the Louis Vuitton cup. There weren't to many boats out today I'm sure because of the Prada team not racing,
still it was a blast watching the AC72 doing about 35 knots in 18 knots of wind.
still it was a blast watching the AC72 doing about 35 knots in 18 knots of wind.
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I watched on utube. It was good to see the boat actually go around a course with tacks and rounding marks. The numbers of viewers is a little disheartening but I'm not sure how they get those.
If you go to the site, for the races that are scheduled, you add the event to your calendar with a click. You can then set a reminder so even if you're at the office you can run it in the background. It appears that for East coasters most of the races will go off around 3PM.
The commentary needs some work. I was thinking during the "Race" that they really were making a potentially exciting event a bore. I don't know how you do that but talking shop talk about engineering doesn't work. To be fair with one boat on the course, it's not easy to add excitement.
With all the noise about the graphics I thought they were disappointing and not much improvement over past AC challenger series. Maybe there's more to come.
I envy those of you who can watch in person, either from their own boats or shore and hope you can keep us updated re on the water events.
If you go to the site, for the races that are scheduled, you add the event to your calendar with a click. You can then set a reminder so even if you're at the office you can run it in the background. It appears that for East coasters most of the races will go off around 3PM.
The commentary needs some work. I was thinking during the "Race" that they really were making a potentially exciting event a bore. I don't know how you do that but talking shop talk about engineering doesn't work. To be fair with one boat on the course, it's not easy to add excitement.
With all the noise about the graphics I thought they were disappointing and not much improvement over past AC challenger series. Maybe there's more to come.
I envy those of you who can watch in person, either from their own boats or shore and hope you can keep us updated re on the water events.
New Zealand hit 43.8 knots. Holy smoke. Funny the commentators were explaining the chase boats need 1200 horses to keep up. Luna Rossa is ticked that the rule commitee is requiring everyone to foil higher after the English boat pitchpoled and one crewmember drowned. When they foil higher the bow(s) have less chance of catching a wave and flipping. Their loss. I'm envious of the folks who are seeing this in person. Almost went faster than the wind myself yesterday. Set the Asym and hit 4.6 knots with 5 knots of wind. Whoop tee do in comparison.
Today's "Race": Another exhibition but still a primer on how these boats sails. I can't help but make the comparison between the New Zealand boat and Orville and Wilber Wrights aircraft. They both are held together with wires, have technologically advanced wings, not guaranteed to fly, and is at risk of an ugly crash at any time. It's good viewing.
The boat isn't beautiful. It's fascinating to watch it titter on the edge of control and to watch the crew grow in skill handling it. I love to watch the water coming off the leeward hull bow. It's so perfect.
Before they even started sailing the course there had to be extensive testing of the wing to optimize it's performance. There is no time on these short legs to fool around with that. If they are not already dialed in they are doomed. And Don you'll be happy to know they are sailing with a lot of twist in the main upwind. Now they have to learn the maneuvers to win a race. Not the least of which is the jibe on foils. I think the boats who stay on the foils will win. It's like the competition has changed. The boats were designed for sailing as catamarans, and since, the sailors and designers have pushed the boundaries of foiling so far as to have change the nature of the race. For instance, a lot has been said about the 5 knot current. It doesn't matter. If you can be in wind that lets you go 20 Kts. upwind and 40 downwind, on foils, current doesn't really matter. Current against wind and waves? The foiling boats ride pretty oblivious of the waves. Tactically, the commentators say, that staying in the wind that will allow boat speed is the play.
I'd love to hear others opinions.
The boat isn't beautiful. It's fascinating to watch it titter on the edge of control and to watch the crew grow in skill handling it. I love to watch the water coming off the leeward hull bow. It's so perfect.
Before they even started sailing the course there had to be extensive testing of the wing to optimize it's performance. There is no time on these short legs to fool around with that. If they are not already dialed in they are doomed. And Don you'll be happy to know they are sailing with a lot of twist in the main upwind. Now they have to learn the maneuvers to win a race. Not the least of which is the jibe on foils. I think the boats who stay on the foils will win. It's like the competition has changed. The boats were designed for sailing as catamarans, and since, the sailors and designers have pushed the boundaries of foiling so far as to have change the nature of the race. For instance, a lot has been said about the 5 knot current. It doesn't matter. If you can be in wind that lets you go 20 Kts. upwind and 40 downwind, on foils, current doesn't really matter. Current against wind and waves? The foiling boats ride pretty oblivious of the waves. Tactically, the commentators say, that staying in the wind that will allow boat speed is the play.
I'd love to hear others opinions.
Here is video of the the race Shemandr refers to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wv8eg0H9WQ
Watch the gybe at 2:35 and tell me if that isn't some of the most skilled sailing you have ever seen. These guys are riding a razors edge! Absolutely breathtaking.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wv8eg0H9WQ
Watch the gybe at 2:35 and tell me if that isn't some of the most skilled sailing you have ever seen. These guys are riding a razors edge! Absolutely breathtaking.
Outstanding.. I guess, though, that I am not surprised when an "upside down" bow digs in when put into the water.. I have wondered (over a good rum) about who's computer program had a +/- sign in wrong when they decided it was a good idea to make a bow with a negative dynamic as it submerges..
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