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ORACLE TEAM USA Says “NO” to 2021 36th America’s Cup Challenge – What?

There is not much information yet as to why Larry Ellison says NO to the 2021 challenge.

Outgoing America’s Cup boss Sir Russell Coutts, confirmed yesterday that Oracle’s Larry Ellison & ORACLE TEAM USA may not be at the next Cup in Auckland in 2021. However, it is not over for Larry until ETNZ (Emirates Team New Zealand), issues the 2021 protocol later this month, as by deed, the Defender determines.

ETNZ, Defender of the America’s Cup, proclaimed earlier this summer that the America’s Cup design was going to return to the monohull, though a foiling one. Luna Rossa is the Challenger of Record for the 36th America’s Cup Challenge. Another Italian team may enter and one from France. All we have heard so far.

According to stuff.com.nz,  “Oracle Team USA skipper Jimmy Spithill says he may never get over the crushing America’s Cup defeat to Team New Zealand in Bermuda, but that won’t stop him coming back for more.”

Spithill in the 35th World Series after a win. Let’s get that smile back! Photo/Ricardo Pinto

Protocol sets the date in 2021, which we believe will designate a foiling monohull design and have a “constructed in country” requirement, plus some type of nationality requirement for crew members.  Though, it was clear, Besides Jimmy, America lost its spirit watching the 35th Cup last year. Will we even watch without TEAM USA? Stay tuned.

By |2023-03-01T18:21:16-08:00September 15th, 2017|Tags: , |0 Comments
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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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Kiwis Sweep Both Races on Opening Day of the 35th America’s Cup

What an Opening Day for New Zealand in the 35th America’s Cup  presented by Louis Vuitton in Bermuda.

Though they look close, ORACLE is behind and in lighter winds Photo/Ricardo Pinto

ORACLE TEAM USA started out in Race 1 with a penalty and had to move two boat lengths behind Emirates Team New Zealand. What a way to start, Jimmy. He was over the start a fraction of a second too early. And never caught up. Kiwis take the first race.

In race 2 NZ was moving three times the wind speed and executing their maneuvers beautifully. “They really are sailing absolutely perfectly,” commented Nathan Outteridge, Artemis Racing’s helmsman, who joined the NBC sports commentators to provide insights into the races. Kiwis had a 400 m lead, which was taken away as USA got themselves back in the race and were only 30m behind. Then USA went into a gybe poorly, slowed way down and lost their game. NZ wins Race 2.

ORACLE back in the game, though short-lived Photo/Ricardo Pinto

A near perfect day for the Kiwis, which gives them a lot of confidence readying for Day 2 of the 35th America’s Cup Match presented by Louis Vuitton. ORACLE has some work to do.

NZ had just completed racing during the Finals against Artemis a few days ago, while USA sat on the sidelines during the last few weeks. Perhaps that gave the Kiwis the advantage. Or maybe it’s the pedal grinding vs the traditional grinding. Some say it’s all about the hydraulics. Winds were very light today, starting out at 7 knots – only 1 knot above the minimum requirement, went up to near 9 knots and then back to 8.5 knots. 

Point-wise, ORACLE entered the match with one point so before the races started, NZ had -1 points and USA 0. End of day – NZ had 1 point and ORACLE 0. Stay tuned. Tomorrow morning (Sun., 6/18) on NBC at 10am.

Beautiful Bermuda (I guess the world really is round) Photo Ricardo/Pinto

 

 

 

 

By |2017-06-23T09:18:37-07:00June 16th, 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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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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