Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Race is on ... in Valencia!

From Tom Ehman, Golden Gate Yacht Club Spokesman:

New York, NY -- November 10, 2009 - We're very pleased to see that Société Nautique de Geneve/Alinghi have finally agreed with us that Valencia in February is the correct venue to hold the 33rd America's Cup. Presumably SNG will now drop their appeal of the Court's decision that Ras Al Khaimah is an illegal venue.

BMW tri gets a hard wing sail ...


We're tempted to say something along the lines of "stranger than fiction" but in fact, maybe it's just a return to the 1988 AC, when Dennis Connor's Stars & Stripes sported a hard sail. The hard wing has been rumored for months too. Alinghi's cat will sprout one soon.

BMW Oracle

Chesapeake Bay Cleanup


The Feds will step in to assist in cleaning up the Chesapeake. It's worth noting that farm and urban runoff are by far the two leading causes of pollution in our estuary, but it seems like boaters get most of the blame:

More here

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

BMW Oracle Tri Loses the Stick ...



These super tall racing rigs are apparently proving difficult to manage:

BMW Oracle Racing News

More here

and here

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Enough already ...

The legal tacking duel continues over the venue for the 33rd America's Cup. After a victory in court last week for BMW Oracle to have the race in Valencia, Spain, Alinghi is once again appealing.

The latest press release:

GOLDEN GATE YACHT CLUB
#1 Yacht Road, San Francisco, California USA 94123
Statement

Tom Ehman, Golden Gate Yacht Club Spokesperson

San Diego, CA, November 3, 2009 – Along with sailing fans and followers around the world, we are disappointed that the defender- Société Nautique de Geneve/Alinghi – has sought to de-rail the America’s Cup once again.

In light of Justice Kornreich’s clear ruling last week, this appeal is unwarranted and without merit.

On Friday Justice Kornreich decided that, in accordance with the Deed of Gift, a February match for the America’s Cup can not be held in the Northern Hemisphere other than in Valencia, a venue previously agreed by both the Defender and Challenger.

The Spanish host of the 2007 America’s Cup Match remains the best choice for everyone. Its facilities and infrastructure are proven and ready. Both teams maintain their permanent bases in the Port America’s Cup. The City is ready to welcome the America’s Cup back.

Following her order on the venue last Friday, Golden Gate Yacht Club confirms Bryan Willis (GBR) as its nominee for the three man panel requested by Justice Kornreich to assist her determine the outstanding sailing and measurement issues over the 33rd America’s Cup match.

GGYC was the first to put forward a name to the New York Supreme Court. SNG, responded with Graham McKenzie (NZL) and the two of them mutually agreed the third member of the panel, David Tillett (AUS).

All three men are former members of America’s Cup juries, as required by Justice Kornreich. Bryan Willis and Graham McKenzie are now in New York.

Bryan Willis is one of the most respected jurors in the sailing world. He has chaired International Juries at the Olympics, the Volvo Ocean Race and at the last three America’s Cups. He has also sat on the International Sailing Federation’s Racing Rules Committee for more than 30 years, chairing both it and the ISAF Racing Race Officials Committee.

We look forward to this resolution process moving forward in the coming days.

Nautical word of the day ...

HAND OVER FIST. The phrase originated at sea in reference to the ease and speed with which experienced sailors climbed rigging. By the late 19th century the phrase was being used metaphorically.