America's Cup E-Mailbag - latest correspondence

by Various correspondents on 26 Feb 2010
Sail-World is happy to publish our readers' views an opinions on the America's Cup. Please address your contributions to nzeditor@sail-world.com:

Sender: ken hardcastle

Message: It would be nice to have yacht racing as it has always been and have another international event for catamarans Call it the world gold cup . anything but the americas cup Also, the crew should be native born citizens of the country they represent.

Related News Item: 33rd America?s Cup enters annals of history

Link to News: http://www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=66509

Message sent from : US Racing

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This message generated by Sail-World.com feedback form.

Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 9:48 AM
Subject: Comments On : 34th America?s Cup: Club Nautico di Roma will be Challenger of Record


From:
To:
Cc:
Sent: Friday, February 12, 2010 12:09 AM
Subject: Comments On : America's Cup 2010 Newsletter


>
>
> Sender: Mark Andrew
>
> Message: I think this news letter is GREAT,
>
> Too bad somebody thought cats were the answer. How imbarassing this is.
> The non sailing world if they here of this, and most won't will think
> these guys are a bunch of babys with their billion dollar boats. Maybe
> Monday was a AP day but the twelves could have handled yesterday's sea
> conditions.
>
> Related Newsletter: America's Cup 2010 Newsletter

----- Original Message -----
From:
To:
Cc:
Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 1:13 PM
Subject: Comments On : America's Cup 2010 Newsletter


>
>
> Sender: tricsha nurk
>
> Message: we would like to know what Allinghi's protest was during the
> second race. As we are unable to access the media conferences, we watched
> the race on tv from 2am. Cheers Tricsha Secretary/Treasurer Pt Broughton
> Sailing & Boat Club Inc
>
> Related Newsletter: America's Cup 2010 Newsletter
>

From:
To:
Cc:
Sent: Monday, February 15, 2010 7:55 PM
Subject: Comments On : America's Cup 2010 Newsletter


>
>
> Sender: Paul Farnill
>
> Message:
> In your summary of the first leg tace 2, you mentioned that Alinghi made a
> small tactical error that possibly cost them the cup.
>
> I watched the live feed and it wasn't clear to me what happened shortly
> after Alinghi crossed Oracle just before the first mark. From the feed it
> appeared that Oracle simply sailed through Alinghi's lee to take the lead.
>
> Could you show what happened please.
>
> Related Newsletter: America's Cup 2010 Newsletter


To:
Cc:
Sent: Tuesday, February 16, 2010 7:48 AM
Subject: Comments On : America's Cup 2010 Newsletter


>
>
> Sender: pierre alain varreon
>
> Message: Hi Richard,
> great coverage of yours for that very special A Cup, many thanks to you
> and a grand applause to your professionalism.
>
> It happens that the naval designers of BMWO are working next to my home in
> Paris. I name Van Peteghem Lauriot Prevost.
>
> I would be readily available to propose them with an interview about those
> past years of AC design and victory, by me and for the sole benefit of
> Sail World NZ, thus with the credit letter from SWNZ, of course.
> What is your opinion in this extent, knowing it will be free of charge
> since it is my own inception and initiative.
>
> You know Richard, your Site is quite incentive and enthusiasmic: you just
> simply are great professionals, you the Aotearoa Brains;
>
> Amitié,
> Pierre a varreon
> pls can you reply URGENTLY so I can organize 'myself and together as
> well', as we used to say in Berkeley, Ca. in the 80s. Tks
>
>
>
> Related Newsletter: America's Cup 2010 Newsletter


From:
To:
Cc:
Sent: Saturday, February 13, 2010 7:36 PM
Subject: Comments On : America's Cup 2010 Newsletter


>
>
> Sender: David Pedrick
>
> Message: Richard,
> I think your report of Race 1 is superb in the information that it
> presents and the emotion that it conveys. I was on the Foredeck Club boat,
> with a similar view, at least up through the lead change, and also feel
> the excitement and privilege of having witnessed this memorable moment in
> the America's Cup's sometimes colorful history. From your excellent
> collection of photographs from start to finish, I can get a sense of the
> excitement that you have expressed.
>
> It was a pleasure to meet you here. Now your coverage of writing and
> photographs will mean all the more to me.
>
> Although I was here primarily with my yacht designer's hat on, the media
> credential is a key part of access to information. I legitimize that with
> some writing for Sailing World. Here are links to two pieces that I wrote
> last weekend:
>
> The Amazing Race: The Broad View,
> http://www.sailingworld.com/americas-cup/americas-cup/the-amazing-race-the-broad-view-1000080556.html
>
> The Amazing Race: Looking for Design Details:
> http://www.sailingworld.com/americas-cup/americas-cup/the-amazing-race-looking-for-design-details--1000080557.html
>
> I'm off today to rendezvous with a others for a motor yacht project in
> Dubai, so I'll look forward to your reporting of Race 2.
>
> Kind regards,
> David Pedrick
>
> Related Newsletter: America's Cup 2010 Newsletter


From:
To:
Cc:
Sent: Friday, February 12, 2010 4:35 AM
Subject: Comments On : America's Cup 2010 Newsletter


>
>
> Sender: CYAclubs Akers
>
> Message: I am agast at these cancellations. Only lightening is reason for
> our Club racing to be cancelled! If these boats can't cut it maybe they
> should not be racing.
>
> Related Newsletter: America's Cup 2010 Newsletter


From:
To:
Cc:
Sent: Friday, February 12, 2010 5:34 AM
Subject: Comments On : America's Cup 2010 Newsletter


>
>
> Sender: Bart Borusinski
>
> Message: Are the America's Cup contenders a real sail boats? If they can
> only sail in the parfect conditions and they are afraid of 1.3 m waves I
> am ready to stop paing any atention to this circus. This is not what
> sailing is about. You should build the yacht that can be sail anytime
> anywere witout endengering the crue. I am done with the AC....
>
> Related Newsletter: America's Cup 2010 Newsletter


From:
To:
Cc:
Sent: Friday, February 12, 2010 12:09 AM
Subject: Comments On : America's Cup 2010 Newsletter


>
>
> Sender: Mark Andrew
>
> Message: I think this news letter is GREAT,
>
> Too bad somebody thought cats were the answer. How imbarassing this is.
> The non sailing world if they here of this, and most won't will think
> these guys are a bunch of babys with their billion dollar boats. Maybe
> Monday was a AP day but the twelves could have handled yesterday's sea
> conditions.
>
> Related Newsletter: America's Cup 2010 Newsletter


Sender: James Cruz

Message: >>>millions of dollars spent on these boat...ocean/sea racing boats..and they will not let them race in 1.5 m sea waves....just wonder..did they build them for a lake sailing..or just waiting for a flat waters to break a speed records like the windsurfing boys doing in my backyard..
just get back to strong mono hauls..and let these millionaires sail in waters where much smaller and less sophisticated sail boats race everyday..
that talk of 'wind too strong...waves too big..shifting winds across the race course>> Is this a sport-racing/ sailing skills competition or just a SHOW of 'what money can buy'?

JUST WONDER

Related News Item: America's Cup Day 2 - Racing Postponed until Friday morning

Link to News: http://www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=66329

Message sent from : Australia Racing


Sender: Rowan Maxwell

Message: Do you think that the banning of large spectator craft and their associated wake, viewing the racing might have anything to do with the frailty of one of the participants?

Related News Item: America's Cup E-Mailbag - latest correspondence

Link to News: http://www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=66368

Message sent from : Australia Racing


From:
To:
Cc:
Sent: Friday, February 12, 2010 4:45 AM
Subject: Comments On : America's Cup E-Mailbag - latest correspondence


>
>
> Sender: Bob Vander Ploeg
>
> Message: Absolutely right on. How can anyone take this seriously? It's a
> charade or a spectacle, but it's sure not sailing, and it 's certainly
> racing. To be honest, most sailors couldn't care less. 1.5 m wave height
> limits? If you can't sail in those conditions you should stick to water
> parks and splash pads and stop wasting everyone's time.
>
> Related News Item: America's Cup E-Mailbag - latest correspondence
>
> Link to News: http://www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=66368
>
> Message sent from : Canada Racing
>


Sender: rich c

Message: maybe Mr. Coutts has swam in Mr. Ellison's 'cool aid' for too long, although the price he gets for swimming with the shark may well be worth it.

Related News Item: America's Cup talks fail after Swiss hawks balk on final agreement Link to News: http://www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=65425


Sender: warren mangan

Message: Hi
really great shots
can you get shots of either boat tacking? clearly a critial time.
Can the cat tack, Is the tri much faster?
thanks

Related News Item: America's Cup: Images from Valencia - BMW Oracle Racing -2 Link to News: http://www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=66215


Sender: Philip Feret

Message: Greetings,

As an American I viewed the caption of 20 kt boat speed in 2 kt true wind speed with delight. Hoping that I am understanding this correctly and there is not a 'but' hidden somewhere. Boat speed to wind speed by a factor of 10? Is this truly possible? If so and the Swiss boat is better in light air Wow?

Looking to avoid false assurance.

Thanks, Philip

Related News Item: America's Cup: Images from Valencia - BMW Oracle Racing -2 Link to News: http://www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=66215


Sender: Glenn Freeman

Message: Steve:

What a great article!

I concur that at the high end of racing (not skill, but money) dictates the wind range for racing. If you do not race in 25+ winds because your boat may break in pieces does, as you said, result in boats incapable of racing in heavy air.

At my Club we have primarily light air all season (< 8 kts), and some boats are purchased for that wind range. Most of the boats however are built to sail in the infrequent 20-30 kts range. At the amateur level (Club racing), most sailors perfer a boat that will get them home safely if the conditions deteriorate.

All this being said, the original America's Cup boats (mostly the Challenger) were required to SAIL the boat to the competition. Perhaps this qualification should be returned to the event.

By the way, thanks for your 2007 pictures. They brought back pleasant memories of the competition!

Cheers, Glenn.

Related News Item: America's Cup: Steve Clark on Heavy Air Multihull Sailing

Link to News: http://www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=66371

Message sent from : Canada Racing

Sender: Jim Buckland

Message: Great story , I couldn't agree more with the philosophy of sailing in a broad range of wind strengths . I sailed ( Australian ) 14s in the 70s and 80s and am small ( 60kg , 165cm , total crew weight 130kg) but we accepted the fact that on a tight reach in a bit of breeze the fat guys were going to kill us but loose legs we were very competitive ( at least until the wind got strong enough that pitchpoling came into play ! ) . Upwind you had to have your boat strong enough and adaptable enough to be fast across a wide range of conditions . It is the races in lots of wind that you remember most fondly , not the ones spent scuttling round the cockpit on all fours . Regards , Jim Buckland .

Related News Item: America's Cup: Steve Clark on Heavy Air Multihull Sailing

Link to News: http://www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=66371

Message sent from : Australia Racing

Sender: Richard Ward

Message: Well said Steve
Much as I am excited by the prospect of an America's Cup sailed by multihulls, I too am appalled by the precious, out of touch nature of these boats and their huge legal teams. An AC determined by boats that can only race in light airs and flat seas is not much of a race, in my opinion.
I certainly endorse Steve's viewpoint that the races should run regardless of weather conditions ( within sensible limits, of course), the same way most other sailing events are run and other high profile, high cost & high risk events such as Formula 1 motor racing.

A big concern is that this pampered event is likely to re-inforce the traditional, blinkered & completely unimformed monohull view that multihulls are fast & fun but not suitable for serious, offshore racing & cruising.
Nothing could be further from the truth. Well designed cats & tris are leading the way in the cruising yacht field and have certainly earned their place with high preformance round the world multis racing their way into the record books.
It is too late for this farce in Valencia. But hopefully, a return to the principles of the early AC races will prevail in the future. A race based on skill, speed and seamanship in whatever conditions are prevailing.
Richard Ward
Managing Director
Seawind Catamarans
Australia


Related News Item: America's Cup: Steve Clark on Heavy Air Multihull Sailing

Link to News: http://www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=66371

Message sent from : Australia Racing

Sender: Paul Teen

Message: This comment should be posted in large print on both A C boat sheds in Valencia

Related News Item: America's Cup: Steve Clark on Heavy Air Multihull Sailing

Link to News: http://www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=66371

Sender: Ike Berry

Message: Sounds excellent..... but can the skipper/Navigator process the information quick enough?
The computer will do the averages and give a map image. then the human mind has to take it in and a decision made etc.....with the boat travelling at such high speeds will you have arrived at the point up the course before the crew can process it??? It's only a kilometer!!

Light airs in a keel boat great, Americas Cup multihulls?

Related News Item: Americas Cup: Team BMW Oracle Racing's 'wind mapping' technology Link to News: http://www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=66144


Sender: Richard Jackson

Message: Aye, or take your toys and go home

Related News Item: Fisher's View: Boys and Girls, come out to play.

Link to News: http://www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=66332

Message sent from : US Racing


Sender: paul Kennedy

Message: Bob

You are exactly right, this is a joke, the worlds most advanced yachts... cannot sali in 4.5 knots; cannot sail in 15knots and 1metre waves, my non sailing friends at work are laughing at this farce , this was meant to be the Formula 1 of yacht racing and they won't race,the F! cars race wet, dry, ho,t cold, windy, calm we could have sent a cadet out around the course and it would now be the AC holder as these self indulgent wusses would still be arguing on shore. George Schulyers idea was about a 'yacht race' not to 'avoid having a yacht race' These self obssessed indulgent egos are doing irreparable harm to the heritage of the cup and frankly as neither of then need the money why are they bothering?
If they cannot see the harm they are doing then perhaps the IYRU should step in for once and make a stand on behalf of yachties everywhere (the rain,hail or shine ones)



Related News Item: Fisher's View: Boys and Girls, come out to play.

Link to News: http://www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=66332

Message sent from : Australia Racing



Sender: John Anstey

Message: Well put Bob, and thanks for the only informed (and wonderfully irreverent) commentary.

Your handbags comment circulates in the two Sydney clubs to which I belong (one of them a Royal club).

We all fondly remember when real yachts sailed by real sailors, who while no doubt terrified by the prospects of towering 1.5 meter chop roaring across the course would get out there and do or die.

As for winds light and variable; isn't that the very art of sailing.

I suspect this match will have be decided by two multi billionaires slapping each other with their handbags. he who cries first loses.

Love your column and thanks again.

John Anstey

Related News Item: Fisher's View: Boys and Girls, come out to play.

Link to News: http://www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=66332

Message sent from : Australia Racing

Sender: Dino Memic

Message: Absolutely right, but I think there are bunch of the 'wusses' amongst reporters as well. Everybody is playing safe, no real questions. Watched numerous 'Press Conferences' or better yet 'Spin Conferences' and nobody dares to ask the real questions, what is going on here? Afraid of being blacklisted?
Per DOG this is offshore race, not Geneva lake race. Spirit of Americas Cup wasn't just trail in speed, but seamanship and seaworthiness as well. Reflection on the Maritime Industry of one nation, historically.
In the light winds and flat seas, even the 'duct tape' becomes mayor technological accomplishment technology, space technology if you want. Any of these guys if afraid that they might get hurt or bruised should stay ashore.

If 1m swell and 15KTS of wind is unsafe then I am bad parent, because my 10 yr. old son sails his Sabot in more then that, or he just has bigger stones. Who could tell?

Related News Item: Fisher's View: Boys and Girls, come out to play.

Link to News: http://www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=66332

Message sent from : US Racing

Sender: Jenny Martin

Message: Lovely to read Mr Bob Fisher again. Unbelievable watching Race 1. BMW Oracle should be renamed 'The Albatross'. At times seem to soar... along sideways like one.
Regards
Jenny

Related News Item: Fisher's View: The 'S' Word

Link to News: http://www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=66440


Sender: Nip Tanner

Message: Consultation does not equal democracy. I think that it is great that Ellison has committed to consulting with others, but I would be disappointed if he let the will of the majority dictate the location. One of the perks of winning is you get to choose where to defend, and I believe every other winner has exercised that right, and except for Alinghi, has actually done it in their home waters - or at least where they have a presence.

Related News Item: Gladwell's Line: How long will the America's Cup 'Love-In' last?

Link to News: http://www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=66807


Sender: Manfred Schreiber

Message: Richard,
thanks for bringing it all up (The total 33rd AM cup story edition) Very well appreciated and reminds me to the good old CompuServe days!
Smooth sailing
Manfred
_/) _/)

www.sailracing.blogspot.com

Related News Item: Virtual Eye: Race 1 Breakpoints - 33rd America's Cup

Link to News: http://www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=66846

Message sent from : Europe Racing





From:
To:
Cc:
Sent: Friday, February 12, 2010 3:42 AM
Subject: Comments On : America's Cup 2010 Newsletter


>
>
> Sender: ..paul ulibarri
>
> Message: I found the reference (pictures) to the Olympic Tornado and Star
> Medal races interesting in that I was the race officer for both of these
> races.
> I find it hard to relate these races to what is going on in Valencia.
> As was mentioned, we were racing on a short course, within the prescribed
> maximum wind levels for each class. (Neither class defines sea conditions)
> We were doing a 30 minute race in front of a 'stadium' of spectators. The
> wind was 18 knots steady, never changing more than 4 degrees.
> It was a no brainer. Yesterday in Valencia may have been perfect, but the
> reality is no one really knows what these boats can take.
>
> A short comment about the sea conditions.
> The Star boat championship rules call for a maximum wind velocity of 25
> knots.
> Twenty five knots with flat water is fine for these boats, however most
> race officers would not race them in over 18 knots in big waves.
> The rig will come out.
> Actually in Qingdao on the heavy air day we were racing in 20 knots and
> the waves built up to a point that on the last leg to the finish line,
> three Stars broke their masts. A tough way to end 4 years of training.
>
> I doubt anyone has a feel for what wave and wind conditions these
> multihulls can race in.
> I suspect most International Race Officers would approach this assignment
> carefully.
> Certainly everyone is getting frusturated, and we do have the court issue
> looming ahead as a sort of deadline.
>
> Harold is in a tight spot, but in my opinion has made the right decisions
> for the first two 'non' races.
> You have to have been on the bridge of a signal boat in all types of
> conditions over the years to truly appreciate his position.
>
> Blame the deed of gift or more accurately the two teams who could not
> agree on anything thereby making the deed of gift the policy and procedure
> for this event.
> pu
>
>
> Related Newsletter: America's Cup 2010 Newsletter
>



>
>
> Sender: vern velez
>
> Message: Thank you so much for making it possible for those of us in
> the Pacific Northwest to catch the America's Cup action - even if we
> had to stay awake or get up awfully early! It was great fun.
> I now hope that CNR and GGYC will come up with a more sensible and
> affordable design so that more countries can become involved. Since
> the 34th America's Cup competition will be in Newport, why not a new
> generation of 12 Meter yacht? I do realize that speed on the water is
> more exciting to watch than displacemen sailing.
> Keep up your great work.
>
> HAPPY SAILING!
> Vern Velez
> The Center for Wooden Boats
> Seattle
>
> Related News Item: 34th America?s Cup: Club Nautico di Roma will be
> Challenger of Record
>
> Link to News: http://www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=66497



Subject: Comments On : America's Cup - a waste of time, or will I benefit?
>
>
> Sender: John Riise
>
> Message: The question should not be whether some sailor will benefit some
> few years down the road from gear or technology developed on the two giant
> multihulls. Of course they will. Nor is it whether the boats were
> fantastic. Of course they were.
>
> The big question should be:
>
> * Is the America's Cup still a viable entity as the 'signature' event for
> sailing? 'Signature' in this case meaning the one event that even
> non-participants in the sport will follow ? like the Kentucky Derby or
> Indy 500. The answer? No ? the America's Cup outgrew that role a long time
> ago. Now it's like one of those movies whose trailers portray lots of
> action, but when you go to watch it, it is ? just like the America's Cup,
> too long, too boring, too slow and with rules and a plot that are all but
> incomprehensible, even to someone who does sail. Plus the IACC boats are
> the most expensive useless, slow boats ever built.
>
> The premier event of sailing should be sailed in modern craft and fleet
> format ? forget match racing ? and should consist of a maximum of one week
> of racing from start to finish ? say one race a day for five days ? not 50
> or 60 or 70 match-ups over two or three months. And the venue needs to
> have LOTS of dependable wind, and there are no cancelled races because of
> too much of it. Long round-the-bouys courses (with reaching legs) would
> work fine, as would one round-the-island race or even short point-to-point
> ocean race. This way it would be more understandable to non-sailors ?
> whoever crosses the finish line first wins ? and fleet racing would insure
> that even the also-rans had a chance at winning if something happened to
> the top teams.
>
> To answer one question implied in the article, the recent America's Cup
> bout was a joke. All it amounted to for this sailor is that Larry Ellison
> finally found a way to buy the Cup, since he couldn't win it the
> conventional way. And wow, what a price tag. I think 60 minutes should do
> an expose on the wretched excess of matches like the one just completed.
> The figure bandied about the most was $400 million ? which I believe
> referred only to the deep pockets of BMW/Oracle. With all the problems the
> U.S. and world economies are going through right now, and all the good
> people who are out of work, two fat cats spending anything near that
> amount on a stupid sailboat race is THE story that needs to get more air
> time.
>
> Related News Item: America's Cup - a waste of time, or will I benefit?
>
> Link to News: http://www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=66664
>


Subject: Comments On : America's Cup 2010 Newsletter


>
>
> Sender: nick barker
>
> Message: Very worrying that the race officer is now making decisions about
> boat capability (therefore design) and crew abilities. He should start the
> race at the appointed time. If no one starts then the race is cancelled
> and a new start time called. It is and must always be up to the skipper to
> decide whether his boat and crew can take the conditions. He can always
> retire and forfeit.
> Please feel free to quote me.
> Regards
> Nick Barker



News Item: Gladwell's Line: Is this a Deed of Gift Match, or not?

Sender: john culter

Message: It might be helpful to have a look at the NOR 1.1(d) and note that the event is being sailed under the Racing Rules of Sailing. Granted that the DoG takes precedence, but when the RRS apply, a competent race officer will add safety and fairness to the mix of requirements. Unless there is something in the DoG that would conflict with these two things, they will be considered and the racing will be conducted in that fashion.

Harold is a very competent race officer, and his concerns about sea conditions today were clearly around safety. Imagine one of these boats coming apart while going 30 kn.

Fairness requires a more or less reasonable weather leg. Ten degrees would be very, very good for a 20 nm leg. I'm sure Harold would be delighted with a course that had forty degree variations, if they were oscillations. A shift of that magnitude is more problematic, and usually indicates trouble coming soon. I believe the conditions on Day 1 were much less stable than that.

Seems to me you're working hard to accomplish something -- not sure what. This event is on, and there will be racing, so how about settling down and let the RO do his job? It will eventually work out.

Related

Link to News: http://www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=66333

Message sent from : Canada Racing

Richard Gladwell comments: First, let's make it crystal clear we don't run agenda's. This is a sailing website and newsletter, not a soapbox, however we do run commentary pieces, saying what we are seeing and our thoughts. We also run team media releases, almost always unedited, and generally uncommented - and leave our readers to take from both what they will.

Second, the pieces Bob and I write are not about Harold, he is a very good and fair race officer and was a pretty good sailor in his day. I'm sure he would have been more than comfortable sailing his OK dinghy in conditions like yesterday. However when you take on positions as PRO, you have to make some hard decisions, and you expect people to question those decisions. There is nothing personal in it. I have sat on many International Juries, we have had to make some pretty hard decisions at times. People have rightly questioned those decisions, we have to explain the reasoning, and that is the end of it. Right or wrong you have to make a decision. You can't ask for more time, you can't pass the buck, you can't say I don't know. You can't ask your wife. If you are uncomfortable with that situation, then don't get into a decision making position.

Thirdly, what this issue is about is the seaworthiness of yachts that are supposed to be designed and constructed, to compete in an America's Cup Deed of Gift Match, under the Deed of Gift, which doesn't state wind and sea limits.

And for the record, Bob Fisher has sailed in a Little America's Cup in C-class catamarans, so maybe he knows what he is talking about when he talks of seaworthiness. For me I was on the Int Jury for the 1996 Little America's Cup and saw Cogito and Yellow Pages duke it out on a day of 15-20kts in a sea state that was near impossible to go upwind in a powerboat. It was very impressive to see how well the C-cats handled the conditions. They are far more seaworthy than people give them credit for, and I only wish the America's Cup sailors here could be given the opportunity to test the seaworthiness and performance of their craft. It's a vital part of the sport.

Now, read on:

________________________________________________________________________________________________

News Item: Fisher's View: Boys and Girls, come out to play.

Sender: paul Kennedy

Message: Bob

You are exactly right, this is a joke, the worlds most advanced yachts... cannot sali in 4.5 knots; cannot sail in 15knots and 1metre waves, my non sailing friends at work are laughing at this farce , this was meant to be the Formula 1 of yacht racing and they won't race,the F! cars race wet, dry, ho,t cold, windy, calm we could have sent a cadet out around the course and it would now be the AC holder as these self indulgent wusses would still be arguing on shore. George Schulyers idea was about a 'yacht race' not to 'avoid having a yacht race' These self obssessed indulgent egos are doing irreparable harm to the heritage of the cup and frankly as neither of then need the money why are they bothering?

If they cannot see the harm they are doing then perhaps the IYRU should step in for once and make a stand on behalf of yachties everywhere (the rain,hail or shine ones)

Link to News: http://www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=66332

Message sent from : Australia Racing

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

News Item: Fisher's View: Boys and Girls, come out to play.

Sender: John Anstey

Message: Well put Bob, and thanks for the only informed (and wonderfully irreverent) commentary.

Your handbags comment circulates in the two Sydney clubs to which I belong (one of them a Royal club).

We all fondly remember when real yachts sailed by real sailors, who while no doubt terrified by the prospects of towering 1.5 meter chop roaring across the course would get out there and do or die.

As for winds light and variable; isn't that the very art of sailing.

I suspect this match will have be decided by two multi billionaires slapping each other with their handbags. he who cries first loses.

Love your column and thanks again.

John Anstey

Link to News: http://www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=66332

Message sent from : Australia Racing

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News Item: Fisher's View: Boys and Girls, come out to play.

Sender: Dino Memic

Message: Absolutely right, but I think there are bunch of the 'wusses' amongst reporters as well. Everybody is playing safe, no real questions. Watched numerous 'Press Conferences' or better yet 'Spin Conferences' and nobody dares to ask the real questions, what is going on here? Afraid of being blacklisted?
Per DOG this is offshore race, not Geneva lake race. Spirit of Americas Cup wasn't just trail in speed, but seamanship and seaworthiness as well. Reflection on the Maritime Industry of one nation, historically.
In the light winds and flat seas, even the 'duct tape' becomes mayor technological accomplishment technology, space technology if you want. Any of these guys if afraid that they might get hurt or bruised should stay ashore.

If 1m swell and 15KTS of wind is unsafe then I am bad parent, because my 10 yr. old son sails his Sabot in more then that, or he just has bigger stones. Who could tell?

Link to News: http://www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=66332

Message sent from : US Racing

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News Item: America's Cup Day 2 - Racing Postponed until Friday morning

Sender: James Cruz

Message: >>>millions of dollars spent on these boat...ocean/sea racing boats..and they will not let them race in 1.5 m sea waves....just wonder..did they build them for a lake sailing..or just waiting for a flat waters to break a speed records like the windsurfing boys doing in my backyard..
just get back to strong mono hauls..and let these millionaires sail in waters where much smaller and less sophisticated sail boats race everyday..
that talk of 'wind too strong...waves too big..shifting winds across the race course>>
Is this a sport-racing/ sailing skills competition or just a SHOW of 'what money can buy'?

JUST WONDER

Link to News: http://www.sail-world.com/indexs.cfm?nid=66329

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