from Alinghi's Grant Simmer:
"The next Cup cycle, could be in multihulls if we were successful and had a challenger that wanted to race in multihulls, it would be something we'd consider. But I think it's more likely that the next Cup will be held in monohulls."
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
America's Cup Sails Into Uncharted Waters
Here's a feature I did for NPR on the America's Cup:
America's Cup Sails Into (and Over) Uncharted Seas: NPR
A few more interesting comments from Coutts and Simmer that didn't make it into the story:
RUSSELL COUTTS (BMW/ORACLE SKIPPER):
"I'm a purist myself and was brought up sailing the more conventional monohulls. Having said that, I think this multihull competition could be exciting for a much broader range of people because of the technology interests and also the 'wow' factor of these boats."
"Having said that, though, we've got to draw the line somewhere and putting engines on the boat is a step too far. There are many sports – Formula 1 motoracing, for example – had the opportunity to have a lot of their systems computerized rather than relying on the driver's intuition and skill. And they chose not to do that because they recognized that the fans wanted to see the skill of the drivers and I think the same applies and certainly sailing could learn lessons from that."
"Where the grinders on board are tremendous athletes in their own rite – many of them are Olympic Gold medalists and world champions and so forth – they are tremendous athletes and it's a real shame to lose that aspect of the racing."
GRANT SIMMER (ALINGHI DESIGN TEAM COORDINATOR:
"In different parts of the course or in different weather conditions, there'll be substantial performance differences between the boats. It may be that when we're beating into the wind, one boat is a lot faster but then when we come downwind, the other boat's faster."
"The boats are so different that we have to expect there will be big differences on the course but it's quite difficult to predict the net result."
Does he worry about a catastrophic failure on the race course?
"Yeah, very much so."
"We do that because we obviously don't want to damage our boat but also, almost any failure of the main platform of the boat could be incredibly dangerous for the crew."
About BMW/Oracles hard wing:
"We're quite comfortable with the sail plan we've got, with the wing mast and the soft sails. There's certain restrictions of racing with the wing and there's certain advantages. So, we're going to balance that out."
"I think we have the ability to carry a wider range of headsails than they do. Mainsail alone, their wing is more efficient than just our mainsail. But, you need to look at the forces in the overall sail plan and not just the wing."
America's Cup Sails Into (and Over) Uncharted Seas: NPR
A few more interesting comments from Coutts and Simmer that didn't make it into the story:
RUSSELL COUTTS (BMW/ORACLE SKIPPER):
"I'm a purist myself and was brought up sailing the more conventional monohulls. Having said that, I think this multihull competition could be exciting for a much broader range of people because of the technology interests and also the 'wow' factor of these boats."
"Having said that, though, we've got to draw the line somewhere and putting engines on the boat is a step too far. There are many sports – Formula 1 motoracing, for example – had the opportunity to have a lot of their systems computerized rather than relying on the driver's intuition and skill. And they chose not to do that because they recognized that the fans wanted to see the skill of the drivers and I think the same applies and certainly sailing could learn lessons from that."
"Where the grinders on board are tremendous athletes in their own rite – many of them are Olympic Gold medalists and world champions and so forth – they are tremendous athletes and it's a real shame to lose that aspect of the racing."
GRANT SIMMER (ALINGHI DESIGN TEAM COORDINATOR:
"In different parts of the course or in different weather conditions, there'll be substantial performance differences between the boats. It may be that when we're beating into the wind, one boat is a lot faster but then when we come downwind, the other boat's faster."
"The boats are so different that we have to expect there will be big differences on the course but it's quite difficult to predict the net result."
Does he worry about a catastrophic failure on the race course?
"Yeah, very much so."
"We do that because we obviously don't want to damage our boat but also, almost any failure of the main platform of the boat could be incredibly dangerous for the crew."
About BMW/Oracles hard wing:
"We're quite comfortable with the sail plan we've got, with the wing mast and the soft sails. There's certain restrictions of racing with the wing and there's certain advantages. So, we're going to balance that out."
"I think we have the ability to carry a wider range of headsails than they do. Mainsail alone, their wing is more efficient than just our mainsail. But, you need to look at the forces in the overall sail plan and not just the wing."
Monday, February 1, 2010
We're back ...
Sailing Maryland went on walkabout for a few months, but we're back and will begin posting regularly.
Stay tuned ...
Stay tuned ...
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
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.
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.
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.
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