Please select your home edition
Edition
Hyde Sails 2024 - One Design

Commentary- America's Cup Chess

by americascupview.blogspot.com on 6 Oct 2009
"His Excellency", Fred Meyer, SNG vice-commodore and America’s Cup committee chairman. Carlo Borlenghi/ Alinghi http://www.alinghi.com
I open with my pawn (e4).

You open with your pawn (e5).

Then I move my bishop (b5). And so on. Remember?

Somewhere beyond the standard openings, things get interesting.

It reminds me of America's Cup.


Knowing that movable ballast will plunge their vessel's length on the waterline over the limits imposed by the Deed of Gift, Société Nautique de Genève (SNG) decides, for the first time ever in America's Cup history, to include the rudder of the competitive vessel (the trimaran of Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC)) in that vessel's waterline measurement, forcing it over the limit imposed by the Deed of Gift. Ha, ha!

That's e4.

GGYC responds by challenging SNG's movable ballast, reminding SNG that the Deed requires every element of the vessel's racing load to be aboard for measurement, as SNG (in dissembling mode) avers their ballast isn't part of the racing load.

That's e5.

GGYC marks their response by punching the mega-clock of mega-lawyer David Boies of the mega-law firm, Boies, Schiller & Flexner, LLP, who files a memorandum of law in the Supreme Court of the State of New York in support of GGYC (a document that was very well written and very clearly articulated, we might add, at least for lubbers like us).

That's Bp5.

Meanwhile, His Excellency Fred Meyer (SUI), Vice Commodore of SNG, departs from all convention, repudiates his prior behaviors, flaunts elaborate courtesies, and writes a surprisingly temperate, respectful letter to his senior counterpart at GGYC, Commodore Marcus Young (USA).

For the rest of this commentary http://americascupview.blogspot.com/2009/10/americas-cup-chess.html!click_here
Rolly Tasker Sails 2023 FOOTERElvstrom Sails AustraliaSouthern Wind

Related Articles

Sydney Hobart – LawConnect videos
An update from Tony Mutter, a sample of the conditions, and all three in super close proximity An update from Sailing Master Tony Mutter on board LawConnect, a sample of the conditions, and all three in super close proximity.
Posted today at 4:04 am
Smooth sailing and starry skies in 2025 M2H
Code Zero and Spinnakers get an airing in the all smiles here Westcoaster Sailors have enjoyed smooth sailing conditions across Bass Strait for their first night at sea in the 53rd Melbourne to Hobart ‘Westcoaster' Yacht Race.
Posted today at 1:43 am
Sydney Hobart – Will they? Won't they?
Huey loves to shake things up, so here is some Maths to ponder whilst he makes up his mind... Now at just after 1110hrs AEDT on December 28, 2025, the leaders are just South of a place called Friendly Beaches. SHK Scallywag still leads, but now Master Lock Comanche is in second, with LawConnect in third.
Posted today at 12:08 am
Sydney Hobart – SHK Scallywag leaps to front
Moving from third to first is SHK Scallwag as it plays out abeam St Marys Moving from third to first is SHK Scallywag as it plays out abeam St Marys. This Editorial also includes a video interview with the great Chris Nicholson aboard LawConnect - he is brilliant and details their journey thus far.
Posted on 27 Dec
Sydney Hobart – War of attrition - plateau arrives
Looking at it and seeing Comanche doing just two knots SOG. Problem? Or realisation? Looking at it and seeing Comanche doing just two knots SOG. Problem? Or realisation?
Posted on 27 Dec
470 Class Sailing Season Review
General recap of the sailing season - key events of the year We're excited to bring you the latest updates, achievements, and upcoming events from our sailing community. This time of year is a time for reflection and summary, so let's take a look at what we've accomplished together and what lies ahead.
Posted on 27 Dec
Race Around Australia returns
Sailing over 7,000nm with five legs, four stopovers and two sprint stages with pit stops The Shorthanded Ocean Racing Association of Australia Inc (SHORAA) is proud to announce the Race Around Australia 2028 (RAA), a doublehanded yacht race, forty years after and in the spirit of the 1988 Bicentennial race.
Posted on 27 Dec
Rolex Sydney Hobart Race: 24 withdrawals
The attrition rate in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race continues to climb with 24 boats now retired. As of 2200hrs AEDT on Day 2 of the Rolex Sydney Hobart, 24 of the competitors have retired as the fleet continues to bash south. Two Kiwi entries are amongst the latest to exit.
Posted on 27 Dec
RSHYR 2025 - a selection of racing images
A selection of official images from the 2025 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race A selection of official images from the 2025 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race
Posted on 27 Dec
The Jackal sets the pace in 53rd M2H Yacht Race
2025 M2H Yacht Race fleet lining up under azure skies on crystal clear waters The summer sailing gods were certainly smiling over Portsea Pier today with the 2025 Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race fleet lining up under azure skies on crystal clear waters for the start of the race down the West Coast of Tasmania to Hobart.
Posted on 27 Dec