So, are you guys in the US seeing much coverage of the Americas Cup?

It's pretty big stuff down our neck of the woods.

Unfortunately, races are held at a time of day just as I leave for work.

Personally, never thought I would get interested much in yacht racing. I remember from a few years ago those creaky old monohulls - about as exciting as watching paint dry.

But, wow, you guys have set the rules for this year, and you have done very well. Hugely spectacular, state of the art cats, and quickfire 25 minute races. These things can pull 90km/hr.

 

I still sail race every weekend over late Spring to early Autumn - on a 23 foot Van de Stadt that peaks at about 9 knots.

These Americas Cup yachts are mind blowing!


Still, 1983 when we, unassuming, quiet Aussies tore the Cup from the NYYC's grasp after a 126 year reign, was a year to remember.

Here's our then Prime Minister, Bob Hawke, quietly, calmly, covered in champagne congratulating the crew.


Cheers, SB

 

@ 1:26 - Stunning, these things are blurring the boundaries between yachts and aircraft.

Apparently Team New Zealand has had lots of help from the aerodynamacists from McLaren.

Which is cool, because those guys ain't having a great F1 season this year.

Woofer (the Official CBR Forum Keeper of F1 stats) will perhaps confirm that this is the first time in 40 years that McLaren has not had a podium finish in F1??

 

That is in fact true, Tony.

Formula 1® - The Official F1® Website.

I haven't sailed in years. Had personal use of an employer's Catalina 28 back in the 80's and 90's. Fine little boat with a hull speed of 6 knots.

Those new cats are amazing, you can have the Cup as long as Prada or Azzuro doesn't win it

 

Those yachts are amazing!!

Hydrofoils really do make 'em fly!

Only sailing experience I've ever had was a little catamaran, but it still gives you a sense of the power of wind when you get it just right and the thing surges forward.

With no drag on the hulls performance will be fantastic.

That speed on water, from wind power alone must have the crew on a total adrenalin high!

 

Exactly Hawkwind, water is about 600 times denser than air, so less water contact = heaps more speed.

I seem to recall some of these boats in the Louis Vuitton pre race series pulling 40+ knots into 20 knot headwinds!!!!

It's all big fun until you drop one of the bows into a wave, and come to a complete stop in half a boat length, or end over.

There has been lots of talk that this style of boat is simply too dangerous to race, but like any human endeavor; with boundary pushing comes risk.

No-one would suggest that F1 or NASCAR should be banned because it's more dangerous than taking a bus (unless they're a fully paid up member of the Green Party).

 

I don't like the fact that they use a fixed wing instead of a sail. I think now is the time to have separate classes.

"So, are you guys in the US seeing much coverage of the Americas Cup?"

The America's cup by the numbers

 

my cousin is racing round the world in the clipper racing 13-14
landing into LONDONDERRY in june, so i'm going up to show my support.

he's in the 'invest africa clipper25'

https://www.clipperroundtheworld.com/