In other international sporting news, The Americas Cup is coming home. The most recognized trophy in sailing is so named because the United States won the inaugural event aboard the Schooner America in 1851. USA, the trimaran built by Larry Ellison, owned by BMW Oracle Racing and representing San Francisco's Golden Gate Yacht Club, won the 33rd Cup with a clean sweep of the Swiss team, Allinghi. Ellison's team is either an amazing representation of the melting pot that is America...or an overpaid group of mercenaries. Indeed, the team features only two Americans...and 9 Kiwis (including skipper Russel Couts, who won the last Americas Cup behind the helm of Allinghi), 5 Italians, 2 Australians, 2 Dutch, and a Canadian, Antiguan and Frenchie.
In this author's opinion, the spectacle that this competition has become has caused it to stray far from its roots. It is hardly a competition of nations, but now an arms race fueled by ridiculous corporate profits that is settled as much in the courtrooms as on the race course. At least the boats are sweet and the next race will be in home waters, but I'd like to see the next edition feature monohulls and teams comprised of sailors representing the flag under which each boat races.
Showing posts with label Americas Cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Americas Cup. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Did the US Build a Ridiculously Fast America's Cup challenger?
Yes!
Does anybody know what I am talking about?
Probably not!
The 33rd Americas Cup will (hopefully) begin on Friday in Valencia, Spain. It's kind of ironic that the Cup is the oldest trophy in sports and will be awarded for just the 33rd time. It's also ironic that the venue for this America's Cup is Spain, especially considering that the syndicate defending the trophy is Swiss. Keeping with the theme of irony, the last two days of racing have been cancelled because of waves. To me, waves mean wind and wind means fast sailing. Am I missing something here? Seems to me that the two days of cancelled racing on account of "one meter" waves qualifies as an embarassment.
In the meantime, check out the ridiculous trimaran Larry Ellison built to bring the Cup home. This thing is a total machine. Thomas Crown style. During sea trials after the boat was first launched, crew members wore helmets and body armor because of concerns about flying bodies should the boat come to a sudden halt because of the bow plunging into a...wave. Hhhmm.
And click here to see if they're actually racing.
Does anybody know what I am talking about?
Probably not!
The 33rd Americas Cup will (hopefully) begin on Friday in Valencia, Spain. It's kind of ironic that the Cup is the oldest trophy in sports and will be awarded for just the 33rd time. It's also ironic that the venue for this America's Cup is Spain, especially considering that the syndicate defending the trophy is Swiss. Keeping with the theme of irony, the last two days of racing have been cancelled because of waves. To me, waves mean wind and wind means fast sailing. Am I missing something here? Seems to me that the two days of cancelled racing on account of "one meter" waves qualifies as an embarassment.
In the meantime, check out the ridiculous trimaran Larry Ellison built to bring the Cup home. This thing is a total machine. Thomas Crown style. During sea trials after the boat was first launched, crew members wore helmets and body armor because of concerns about flying bodies should the boat come to a sudden halt because of the bow plunging into a...wave. Hhhmm.
And click here to see if they're actually racing.
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