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America’s Cup

Hoping for ORACLE TEAM USA’s Comeback Sat., June 24

Photo/Ricardo Pinto
ACEA 2017

In Race 1, day two of the 35th America’s Cup match, both teams had a good start. It was looking hopeful for ORACLE until the gybe where they lost time and New Zealand foiled ahead. In Race 2 ORACLE  could have been more aggressive at the start to gain the advantage. There was the opportunity, but they did not take it. So it was another race where we watched the Kiwis cross the finish line first. Throughout both of these races, New Zealand was just faster. Their team seemed to really work like a well-oiled machine.

Photo/Gilles Martin-Raget ACEA 2017 

 

“They obviously have speed,” commented ORACLE TEAM USA helmsman Jimmy Spithill at a press conference this afternoon. “They have a very strong team. Having said that, we have a strong group as well.” He said they are going to look at everything over the next five days. “Nothing will escape our eyes.”

But the pedal grinders still may be the ticket. As well as the choice of boards. Once you choose your dagger board, betting on your meteorologist’s predictions, you are stuck. And the winds can shift.

ORACLE sailed very well in the windy San Francisco Bay. But, Bermuda’s light wind situation is a different game for them.  They will be out on the water all week training for next weekend’s races, practicing their starts, tacks and gybes. We have seen them come back from behind in 2013 and hope to see it again on June 24. (NBC 10am)

“We have a lot of depth in our team,” continued Jimmy. “It isn’t our first time here! And we have to remember we won the America’s Cup Qualifiers. They’ve got speed…but this isn’t our first rodeo.” He said his whole team operates better under pressure. “When you push against one of the best teams in the world, it’s probably the best way to develop. I think these next five days will be the most important days of the campaign.”

Current score: New Zealand: 3 points and USA 0 points. First team to 7 points takes The Cup home.

Here are the results from Opening Day of the 35th America’s Cup, where the Kiwis took the lead.

Full coverage of 2016-17 Louis Vuitton America’s Cup races & schedules.

Photo/ Gilles Martin-Raget I ACEA 2017 /

 

By |2017-06-23T09:17:50-07:00June 18th, 2017|Tags: , , , , , |0 Comments
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The Battle is On! Kiwis take on USA in the 35th America’s Cup Match Presented by Louis Vuitton

Is it a rematch of 2013 when the Kiwis were in the lead and ORACLE came from behind to win the 34th America’s Cup? Tomorrow, Sat., June 17, Emirates Team New Zealand and Defender ORACLE TEAM USA , hit the marine

New Zealand’s helmsman Peter Burling Photo/RIcardo Pinto

battlefield just as they did in 2013. But this time, New Zealand’s helmsman Peter Burling said in a press conference today, “We are a lot stronger team than in 2013. I’m sure it’s going to be one helluva battle out there on the water.  That’s why we are here.”

During the Semi Finals and Finals the last few weeks, ORACLE has been sitting on the sideline. Are they now at a disadvantage since they weren’t racing? Jimmy Spithill, USA’s helmsman says not. “We’ve been watching and learning from these guys. There’s a reason these two teams are here. The teams are at a very high level.”

Peter wants to bring The Cup back home to New Zealand and says the fans are inspiring them to keep pushing forward. When asked what winning the America’s Cup meant to him, Jimmy said, “It’s a passion and somewhat of an obsession. It is something that is very very difficult  to do, but really has one of those awards you cannot buy. There are no shortcuts.” ORACLE TEAM USA enter the Match with one point from their win of the America’s Cup Qualifiers.

Winds are predicted to be between 9 and 12 knots tomorrow. But all that can change. Both teams will meet with their Meteorologists and weather teams to decide which boards they will use. “We’re excited that there will be a breeze tomorrow,” comments Peter. Several days in the last few weeks the races were called off due to very little wind. “But,” continues Peter, “It’s all about who wins the last race, not the first one!”

Jimmy Spithill ORACLE TEAM USA helmsman Photo/RIcardo Pinto

Jimmy thanked the Bermudans for their hospitality since they arrived and all the USA fans. He felt they had an advantage because of all this support. “Lots of anticipation. Lots of excitement. We are ready!”

Here’s the schedule:

  • Sat., June 17 – 1-2:30pm EDT, 10-11:30am PDT – NBC
  • Sun., June 18 – 1-3pm EDT, 10am-12pm PDT – NBC
  • Sat., June 24 – 1-2:30pm EDT, 10-11:30am PDT – NBC
  • Sun., June 25 – 1-3pm EDT, 10am-12pm PDT – NBC
  • Mon., June 26 – 1-3pm EDT, 10am-12pm PDT – NBCSN*
  • Tues., June 27 – 1-3pm EDT, 10am-12pm PDT – NBCSN*

*if needed

Which team are you supporting?

Photo/Ricardo Pinto

Photo/Sam Greenfield ORACLE TEAM USA

By |2017-06-16T12:56:51-07:00June 16th, 2017|Tags: , , , , |0 Comments
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Day One No Wind – Races Canceled. Day Two of Semi-Finals Marred by Broken Wing

Leading up to the first day of racing in the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Challenger Playoffs Semi-Finals:

in the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Qualifier races, ORACLE TEAM USA placed first and takes one point with them to the America’s Cup match. Emirates Team New Zealand came in second. The French team has been eliminated and the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Challenger Playoffs

Peter Burling, ETNZ helmsman,  Day 1 – Dock Out show  Photo/Ricardo Pinto

Semi-Finals start on June 4.

Because they were second in the Qualifiers, ETNZ was allowed to choose their race mate. They chose Land Rover BAR, who had come in third. This leaves SoftBank Team Japan to face off Artemis Racing in the Semi-Finals

Both of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Challenger Playoffs Semi-Finals will be decided by a first to five points race format, with the winners of each Semi-Final then facing each other in the Finals of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Challenger Playoffs. The winner goes on to challenge the Defender ORACLE TEAM USA.

SoftBank Team Japan, Day 1 – Dock Out show Photo/Ricardo Pinto

Sunday:

On Sun., June 4, Semi-Final Racing was delayed due to light winds of only 2-3 knots. The winds did pick up towards the 6knot minimum, but not consistently. Racing was abandoned after two hours of waiting around.

Broken wingsail Photo/Giles Martin-Raget

Monday:

It started out as a day of highly competitive and exhilarating racing but provided  heartbreak for Ben Ainslie and his team.

Mon., June 5, the winds are perfect at 14 – 15 knots across the Great Sound. New Zealand and Great Britain off to a strong start and GB cannot make any mistakes. And they did more than make a mistake. The camber arm broke in their sail and they had to stop and forfeit Race 1 to ETNZ.

Photo/Giles Martin-Raget

In the second race Artemis Racing and SoftBank Team Japan had similar starts, but Japan took off. Maneuver smoothness was very important and JPN took the point in their first Semi-Final race.

Land Rover BAR tried to get back to shore and change out their sail before Race 2, but could not, and had to forfeit again to ETNZ.

Race 4 Japan had a great solid start and then Sweden and Japan both were just ripping it across the water at 30 plus knots. Japan at one point was 200 meters ahead, but by the 4th leg after some solid maneuvers and excellent tacking, Artemis  ended up 300 m ahead of SoftBank and grabbed the win.

The day ends with NZ taking 2 wins and JPN and SW 1 win each. The first teams to reach 5 wins will then be in the Challenger Playoffs Finals.

Land Rover BAR plans to be back out on the Great Sound racing on Tuesday. “We have forfeited racing today due to damage to our wing, we will be back tomorrow (Tuesday) to fight another day,” the British team said on Twitter. According to America’s Cup rules, they are allowed to use a spare sail.

Day 2 – Land Rover BAR forced to retire to repair a damage to their wing Photo/Giles Martin-Raget

 

By |2017-06-09T12:36:33-07:00June 6th, 2017|Tags: , , , , , , |0 Comments
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35th America’s Cup Races Begin Saturday! Where to Watch & When

The weather forecast remained poor for the scheduled Opening Day of the 35th America’s Cup on May 26. Due to the strong winds in Bermuda, the America’s Cup Event Authority (ACEA) and America’s Cup Race Management (ACRM) postponed day one of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Qualifiers and the Official Opening Ceremony of the 35th America’s Cup. The skippers held a press conference on May 25, believing they would be racing the next day.

35th America’s Cup, 1 day to go, skippers press conference. L-R Peter Burling-NZ, Franck Cammas-FR, Sir Ben Ainslie-GB, Jimmy Spithill-USA, Dean Barker-JP, Nathan Outteridge-SW Photo/Giles Martin-Raget

Watch the press conference.

The Official Opening Day of the America’s Cup Qualifiers is now Sat., May 27

Photo/Ricardo Pinto

Saturday is completely sold out for viewers in the America’s Cup Village.  “It is great that Saturday is sold out,” said Sir Russell Coutts, ACEA CEO, “and the weather is looking very good for Sunday and beyond, where a full schedule of races is planned. It is shaping up to be incredibly competitive on the water, with the best sailors in the world going head to head, and the America’s Cup Village also looking magnificent.”

And the Village will be energized. Three time Grammy award winning entertainer Haitian rapper and musician, Wyclef Jean will perform on the Main Stage at 5:15pm ET prior to the Official Opening Ceremony of the 35th America’s Cup Sat., May 27 at 8:30pm, in the America’s Cup Village.

Most races are from 1-3pm ET May 27 through June 27, though they are adding an hour to the race schedules on Sat./Sun., May 27/28 due to the loss of May 26 racing. More details here.

Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Qualifiers

  • May 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, June 2, 3 – NBC Sports Network

Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Challenger Playoffs Semi Finals

  • June 4, 6, 7 and 8 on NBC Sports App

Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Challenger Playoffs Finals

  • June 10, 11, 12 – NBC Sports Network

America’s Cup Match, presented by Louis Vuitton

  • (First team to win 7 races)
  • June 17, 18, 24, 25 – NBC
  • June 26, 27 if needed –NBC Sports Network

    In the end there’s only one pot of gold waiting for one team
    Photo/Ricardo Pinto

By |2017-05-26T12:36:45-07:00May 26th, 2017|Tags: , , , , |0 Comments
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Teams Now Racing in New ACC Boats in Bermuda

Everyone is looking for that edge to bring them closer to the sport’s oldest trophy, the America’s Cup. Emirates Team New Zealand added bicycle-grinding stations to their America Cup Class, replacing the arm grinders with pedal power. “There has always been innovation in the Cup and you’ve got to say that Emirates Team New Zealand has been one of the more creative teams over the years in terms of their culture of developing new thinking, new technology,” five time AC winner Kiwi RussellCoutts, CEO of the America’s Cup Events Authority, told Yachting World. (Stuff.co.nz 3/24/17)

ETNZ on bicycle grinders Photo/Hamissh Hooper

On the America’s Cup radar, a rule change now allows teams to practice race on the water as we count down to the May 2017 Louis Vuitton Qualifiers in Bermuda.

Oracle Team USA and Land Rover BAR immediately took advantage of this change and lined up their ACC boats against each other on Bermuda’s Great Sound on March 23.Take a look. (Courtesy of Jack Griffen, Cup Experience)

Teams are now permitted to train together on 23 of the 69 days that remain before the first races of the round robin America’s Cup Qualifiers.

  • March 22-26, 2017;
  • April 6-7, 2017;
  • April 10-12, 2017;
  • April 24-28, 2017;
  • May 15-19, 2017;
  • May 22-23, 2017;
  • May 25, 2017;

America’s Cup Qualifier races start May 26 and will continue into the America’s Cup final match through June 27, 2017.

More news about the America’s Cup from On the Bay.

By |2017-03-24T15:26:32-07:00March 24th, 2017|Tags: , , , |0 Comments
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