America's Cup- Preview of 33rd America's Cup saga released - Video

by Richard Gladwell on 28 Apr 2013
The trailer (movie-speak for preview) for a new film entitled The Wind Gods has been released. The film covers the events leading up to the 33rd America's Cup Match, and the Match itself.

The blurb released with the trailer describes it as:

'Awe-inspiring boats that reflect the unlimited reach of human ingenuity, breathtaking views, action, tension, excitement, consummate skill, the pursuit of lifelong dreams and the tempestuous romance between sailors and the sea, set against a soaring musical score: this is The Wind God's, the story of the 33rd America's Cup race.

'In a quest to bring the oldest trophy in International Sports back to America, Oracle Corporation's Larry Ellison organizes an elite team to sail USA-17, the most technologically advanced sailboat ever built, in a challenge against the defending Swiss team Alinghi, which has held the cup for seven years.

'The film documents the effort from start to finish, with intimate portraits of the competitors, fascinating insights into the cup's history, and sweeping cinematography of the race. But more than that, The Wind Gods is a tribute to the adventurous spirit that leads men to test their limits, by challenging the elements, the sea, and fate.



'Directed by Peabody-award winner Fritz Mitchell and produced by Skydance Productions, the orchestral score by composer Pinar Toprak received the International Film Music Critics Association Award for Best Documentary Score in 2011.

From what can be seen on the trailer, the footage is spectacular and excepted comments underscore the tension of the time.

For those who had insight behind the scenes it will be interesting as to whether the director and producer stay with reality, and resist the temptation to re-write history.

But regardless, this is a must see for all sailing fans - both those who followed the saga through its twists and turns, and for those whose eyes glazed over and changed channel on the appearance of every new episode of America's Cup Legal.

Those who follow the Cup understand the event seems to only undergo dramatic change after a cataclysmic event, be it War, Depression or Court action.

The great strength of the America's Cup, is to be able to quickly re-invent itself, but its greatest weakness is recourse to the US legal system in the case of serious dispute. To be able to understand the present and future of the America's Cup one has to be able to understand its genesis and past, and hopefully the 2007-2010 phase of the Cup is presented for accuracy rather than dramatic effect. In themselves the events are simple and dramatic, and need little embellishment.

Hopefully, in The Wind Gods, the characters have been left to tell their tales, free of a pre-determined dramatic spin. From the clips in the preview, it seems that has been the case.

The website for the movie can be viewed at www.thewindgodsmovie.com the movie will be available on DVD for $20.00 for those who want a personal copy.

Expect more in this genre, from other production teams, before the 34th America's Cup.