Please select your home edition
Edition
B&G Zeus SR AUS

America's Cup outcomes - Dick Enersen

by Dick Enersen on 27 Mar 2009
Dick Enersen at Ron Holland’s 60th birthday celebration in Ireland, prior to the start of the Semi-Finals of the LVC Dick Enersen http://dickenersen.smugmug.com
Long time America's Cup aficionado, and television producer, Dick Enersen (USA) gives his overview of the possible outcomes stemming from the America's Cup Appeal decision, expected any day:

In response to numerous requests, here's the latest on the America's Cup legal process....

Thanks to a friend in the know, I can report that the NY Court of Appeals is back in session and that a decision in re: GGYC vs. SNG & CNEV is imminent. Apparently the court only announces decisions on Tuesdays & Thursdays, at 0900 East Coast time, and those decisions are promulgated on the www.nycourts.gov/ctapps/latdec.htm!Court's_website

There are three possible outcomes, (with my probability speculation in parenthesis):
A. The court finds for GGYC & Ellison ( 60 % )
B. The court finds for SNG & Bertarelli ( 35 % )
C. The 6 judge panel is deadlocked and sends the case back to the lower court for retrial ( 5% )

My probabilities are based not only my wishes, but on my reading of Cory Friedman in 'Scuttlebutt' and my viewing of the Appeals Court hearing, which can still be seen at: http://www.nycourts.gov/ctapps/crtnews.htm (scroll down to 'OTHER IMPORTANT COURT WEBCASTS'), in which I thought Ms. Maloney blew the other guys' doors off.
Moving on, there are several possibilities pursuant to each court decision:

A. (GGYC prevails)
Larry & Ernesto will get together and negotiate a 'regular' multi-challenger Cup regatta, somewhere, probably in new version ACC class boats ( 5%)

A 'Deed of Gift' match will be sailed in giant multi-hulls, about 10 months from date of decision, in a venue of Ernesto's choosing, probably in the southern hemisphere ( 70 % )

Ernesto will surrender the Cup, presumably to GGYC (who will at that point be the Challenger of Record), and Larry will accept challenges for a 'regular' multi-challenger Cup regatta to be sailed somewhere, but not on SF Bay. ( 25 % )

B. (SNG prevails)
Ernesto will be free to do whatever he wants, which, as it now seems, will be to hold a Cup regatta in 90' TP52 type boats, to be sailed in 2011, but maybe not in Valencia, given the current political & economic climate ( see http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/news/09/0325c/ ) ( 100% )

C. (Sent back for retrial)
Everyone, including, I am afraid, your correspondent, will lose interest in the Cup and it will become a fond memory. (100 %)

At one level, I would really welcome A, 1, above, but I can't imagine it happening, given Ernesto's petulance. The recent Louis Vuitton event was a wonderful reminder of what Cup can provide in terms of spectacle, sailing action and the gathering of our fraternity, and I miss having that opportunity on a semi-regular basis.

On the other hand, having seen the BOR 'tratamaran' up close and under way, it would be truly spectacular to see a match race series held in these monsters. It would also go a long way toward reviving interest in the Cup, I think, owing to the novelty of the concept and the real possibility of serious injury, or worse. Getting the dial-up wrong at a closing speed of what, 60 knots?, for example, is a horrible event to contemplate.

We shall see.

cheers, de
Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 350Allen Dynamic 40 FooterRolly Tasker Sails 2023 FOOTER

Related Articles

PredictWind launches PredictRain
New app From PredictWind delivers hyper-accurate, short-term rain predictions PredictRain is a groundbreaking standalone app that combines advanced AI modelling with intuitive tools to provide timely and precise rain forecasts for all types of outdoor activities.
Posted today at 4:51 am
49er & 49erFX Junior Worlds champions crowned
One final race before the storm kicked in at Øresund The final day of the 2025 Junior World Championship delivered high drama and even higher waves. As wind and rain swept across the Øresund, Race Committees managed to run one final race before safety concerns forced an early end to the competition.
Posted today at 4:43 am
Admiral's Cup: Emotional, Rare, Unforgettable
The 2025 Admirals' Cup set the stage for a bold new era in offshore racing Once the pinnacle of international offshore sailing, the return of the Admiral's Cup was a resounding success, setting the stage for a bold new era in offshire racing.
Posted on 4 Aug
29er World Championship at Porto Day 2
The breeze never quite showed up but the action didn't stop Day two of the Porto World Championships began with hope—and strategy. With light winds in the forecast, the race committee scheduled an early start in anticipation of a short sea breeze window.
Posted on 4 Aug
RS Aero World & Youth Worlds overall
The fine Brittany weather and afternoon sea breezes have provided excellent racing The stage was set for a dramatic final day showdown in Quiberon Bay, France, to decide the titles for the 7th RS Aero Worlds and 4th Youth Worlds.
Posted on 4 Aug
RS Feva Worlds at Aix-les-Bains, France Overall
Crowning of our 2025 World Champions As our World Championships drew to a thrilling close on Friday afternoon, the atmosphere was electric with anticipation! Sailors and families were buzzing with excitement as they prepared for their journey home.
Posted on 4 Aug
Just another event?
Is Cowes Week still a pinnacle regatta? We've been blessed with incredible sailing so far this summer in the UK (for once) with great breeze much of the time, and some of the best events in the world gracing our shores. But, like with Storm Floris, there are clouds on the horizon...
Posted on 4 Aug
Cadet World Championship day 0
Just how long is a piece of string? So here we are, day one of the Cadet Worlds proper. The British Worlds Team have all arrived safely on site after their marathon journeys and tales of Cadets visiting the Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower.
Posted on 4 Aug
Tenerife Windsurf Grand Slam Day 3
Pierre Mortefon draws first blood after the wind fills in late After a couple of days of waiting for the wind, Day 3 eventually provided the goods to end the wait for some official competition as the Slalom X got under way during the early evening in 15-18 knots of wind.
Posted on 4 Aug
Festival of Sails 2026 expands to 5 days of racing
Australia's largest celebration of sailing just got even bigger Australia's largest celebration of sailing just got even bigger, with the Festival of Sails expanding to five action-packed days of racing.
Posted on 4 Aug