New Rules for the 2007 Cup
I just read the new protocall that has been accepted by the Challenger of Record and Alinghi. One of the new rules is that it is no longer a requirement for the participants of the teams to be nationals of the country that the team is "associated" with or represents. No surprise there! There is language in there that may, (I'm not clear on this) prevent persons from moving from team to team. I wonder if Ernesto Bertarelli is sfing off his prized "Swiss-6" from folks with fatter checkbooks than Bertarelli's?! They are also some rules in the works to prevent the yachts being named directly after their sponsors (Like Oracle) which makes funding the ventures a tad more tricky. I reckon these yachts will soon resemble NASCAR stock cars in appearance with sponsers names emblazened all over the hull and sails, but carry sentimental names. There is also talk about expanding the venue to include a pre cup match racing or perhaps even fleet racing venue before the Round Robins of the Vuitton Cup for ALL teams to participate in, including the defender. This new rule will certainly expand the racing of the Cup and offer more racing to the fans out there as well as give the entire fleet a chance to test themselves against their competition. This rule was certainly needed for poor Team New Zealand! Imagine a fleet of AC boats tacking for prestart tactics - oh the carnage! Finally, the venerable, and very fragile AC Class sloops will once again make the scene in the 2007 Cup. What ever happened to the cheap to keep, and nimble 12 meters? Imagine the cup being raced in boats designed similarly to the current J-105's with bow sprits and tiller steering? Let's hope for an early Spring!
I just read the new protocall that has been accepted by the Challenger of Record and Alinghi. One of the new rules is that it is no longer a requirement for the participants of the teams to be nationals of the country that the team is "associated" with or represents. No surprise there! There is language in there that may, (I'm not clear on this) prevent persons from moving from team to team. I wonder if Ernesto Bertarelli is sfing off his prized "Swiss-6" from folks with fatter checkbooks than Bertarelli's?! They are also some rules in the works to prevent the yachts being named directly after their sponsors (Like Oracle) which makes funding the ventures a tad more tricky. I reckon these yachts will soon resemble NASCAR stock cars in appearance with sponsers names emblazened all over the hull and sails, but carry sentimental names. There is also talk about expanding the venue to include a pre cup match racing or perhaps even fleet racing venue before the Round Robins of the Vuitton Cup for ALL teams to participate in, including the defender. This new rule will certainly expand the racing of the Cup and offer more racing to the fans out there as well as give the entire fleet a chance to test themselves against their competition. This rule was certainly needed for poor Team New Zealand! Imagine a fleet of AC boats tacking for prestart tactics - oh the carnage! Finally, the venerable, and very fragile AC Class sloops will once again make the scene in the 2007 Cup. What ever happened to the cheap to keep, and nimble 12 meters? Imagine the cup being raced in boats designed similarly to the current J-105's with bow sprits and tiller steering? Let's hope for an early Spring!