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by . on 26 Oct 2012 Hot out of cyberspace is a frame by frame analysis from Erik Simonson of www.pressure-drop.us who was standing opposite where Oracle Team USA capsized in October 16, 2012. Erik has run his images together into a frame by frame video which can be viewed in high definition and makes for an excellent piece of analysis as to what really happened. There's 380 shots in total of what happened that fateful day.

Don't miss the commentary from Rod Davis, on the Oracle capsize, and its lesson for other America's Cup teams.

The America's Cup, Auckland division, will go to a new level tonight with the launch of the Luna Rossa AC72 at 6.00pm in a private ceremony.

Certainly Luna Rossa are familiar with Auckland after their Challenges in 2000 and 2003 and New Zealanders took them to their hearts, with former skipper Francesco de Angelis being voted sexiest man, and receiving honorary Officer of the NZ Order of Merit - a rare recognition for the contribution of a foreigner.

They are a team that plays the America's Cup game with honour, even though they have their moments, like everyone else.

It was the same again at the media conference - and event notable for the lack of spin, and straight talking.

Sail-World will be at the launch this evening, and will report as soon as possible after the event.

There will be public vantage points around Westhaven Marina, as well as the launching, there will be firework displays inside and outside the marina.

At the media conference, earlier skipper Max Sirena was very conscious of the events that befell Oracle Team USA last week, and will be taking Luna Rossa's build up very steadily.

We have a video in this edition from Oracle Team USA, of their AC72 mishap and the recovery. Compiled by Amory Ross, formerly MCM with Puma on the recent Volvo Ocean Race, it is a very good record of the whole incident from start to finish - and a big improvement on the soundbite approach that has marked a lot of the earlier video.

Last May, the International Sailing Federation selected the 49er FX as the Womens Olympic Skiff. We're pleased to be able to report on the growth of the new class, which has proved the concept was right - to put a rig designed for Women sailors onto the existing 49er hull.

While some claimed that it was a compromise, and that a specialist boat would be a better option, the numbers speak for themselves, with the 49er FX sailing in 19 countries and with over 135 rigs will have been shipped by the end of October. The countries list will expand to 21 by that date.

As expected some of the top women sailors have moved into the class, whether that is permanent remains to be seen. Certainly there has been a loud sucking sound coming from the second hand 49er market, with the womens sailors buying while the prices are down. Being able to get a second hand boat for around $6000 (UK prices converted) and putting the new FX mast and sails on board for $8750 ex GST puts a perfectly good boat in the water for under $15,000 - an excellent price for a new two-handed Olympic class.

The first championships have already been scheduled, in conjunction with the Mens 49er Worlds and Europeans, and the two classes are being run by a combined organisation - making for an even smoother start-up.

In Florida, USA the A-Cat Worlds have prematurely concluded in the face of an advancing hurricane, with officials pulling the pin on the event after getting in the five races for a minimum series.

News from the Australian Farr 40 scene and more.


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