WSJ: America's Cup Recap

[IXXI_carrera]

This may be old news to the avid sailors here, but I found this an interesting read and learn more about the amazing rebound by the Oracle team, plus a bit about upwind foiling.

America's Cup 2013: How Oracle Team USA Launched the Greatest Comeback in Sailing History - WSJ.com

[notmytarga]

I'm really looking forward to reading this - thanks for posting. There must be a story to that high tech turn around.

[drcoastline]

Nice read. Thanks for posting Dave.

[Sunroof]

It would be nice going forward to see American talent on American owned and sponsored boats, but that day will never happen. Its a very rich mans game. They need to change the name of the "America's Cup" to the "World Sailing Cup". Always sort of crazy to hear of New Zealand or Aussie captains and crews on French, Italian, American, etc, etc racing boats. However, Kudos to the sailors down under. These guys are indeed the best sailors in the world. But, until America kicks up the collegiate and club sailing programs and invests in that talent, all we will ever see are the boys from the southern hemisphere taking one race after another.

Ted Turners tactician onboard the Cup winner, Courageous, Gary Jobson who has a fine reputation in the sailing community, brought up the concern after the Cup race suggesting that only American sailors crew on American boats which would apply to all nations representatives. Sort of evens the field. Its kind of like hiring Samurai for a hit on the village next door!!

I am a sailor (racer and cruiser) and have followed the Cup races since I was a kid, but you cannot change the politics of winning and it takes tens of millions to enter let alone support and win a Cup event in these modern times. American captains and crews now might be a thing in the past...............its getting to be a small world afterall.

_/)

[drcoastline]

Originally Posted by Sunroof

It would be nice going forward to see American talent on American owned and sponsored boats, but that day will never happen. Its a very rich mans game. They need to change the name of the "America's Cup" to the "World Sailing Cup". Always sort of crazy to hear of New Zealand or Aussie captains and crews on French, Italian, American, etc, etc racing boats. However, Kudos to the sailors down under. These guys are indeed the best sailors in the world. But, until America kicks up the collegiate and club sailing programs and invests in that talent, all we will ever see are the boys from the southern hemisphere taking one race after another.

Ted Turners tactician onboard the Cup winner, Courageous, Gary Jobson who has a fine reputation in the sailing community, brought up the concern after the Cup race suggesting that only American sailors crew on American boats which would apply to all nations representatives. Sort of evens the field. Its kind of like hiring Samurai for a hit on the village next door!!

I am a sailor (racer and cruiser) and have followed the Cup races since I was a kid, but you cannot change the politics of winning and it takes tens of millions to enter let alone support and win a Cup event in these modern times. American captains and crews now might be a thing in the past...............its getting to be a small world afterall.

_/)

I'm on board with you here sunroof. I lost interest after the 1988 challenge when New Zealand raced that 90 foot behemoth against Dennis Conner's cat. To me it just became ridiculous after that. They spend more time fighting in court then battling on the water. It has always been a money sport and the winner picks the boat. That's fine. But pick a class of boat . Man it with your people and race against the other countries people.

Of course the Olympics are just a messed up.

[Rikao4]

all that..
but the TV coverage was great..
had written them of...
but what comeback..

Rika

[IXXI_carrera]

I am by no means an expert sailor, although I did crew on a 30'Catalina and spent several weeks barefooting a 46'ketch in the Virgin Islands many, many years ago, but I have a hard time wrapping my mind around the scale of this vessel. A 46' beam? Wow, what a ride to be 'flying' above the water on the dagger boards going nearly 55 mph. Amazing technology.

[tcar]

Originally Posted by Sunroof

They need to change the name of the "America's Cup" to the "World Sailing Cup".

Why?

The cup is named after the FIRST WINNER of the cup and should stay that way, IMO.

In fact, the Americans paid for and donated the actual winner's cup to the Royal Yacht Squadron who started the race, won by the Americans.

And, the Americans won the next 25 or so races uninterrupted for 100 plus years.

Should stay 'The America's Cup'... that's the name of the cup.


I'm sure you know all that, but some might not.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by Sunroof

It would be nice going forward to see American talent on American owned and sponsored boats, but that day will never happen. Its a very rich mans game.

_/)

Isn't any racing at top levels a "rich man's game"? Hell, even club racing qualifies...