Please select your home edition
Edition
Southern Wind

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
Velocitek 2026Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show 2026Henri-Lloyd Dynamic Range

Related Articles

What 5.5 Tonnes of Forestay Load Does to an Oyster
Balancing power and safety with Cyclops Marine Oyster 885GT 'Babiana' dominated the Oyster Palma Regatta this year, with bullets in all but the final race. With Ian Howarth onboard as tactician, and the boat purring in all conditions, it gave us a golden opportunity to take a closer look at the loads.
Posted today at 10:30 am
SKUD 18 International Match Race concludes
The Sailability Auckland regatta marked a significant milestone Sailability Auckland, in partnership with the Ponsonby Cruising Club and Burnsco, proudly announces the successful conclusion of the Burnsco 2026 SKUD 18 International Match Race Challenge.
Posted today at 9:14 am
SailGP: Nathan Outteridge looks ahead to Sydney
Nathan Outteridge on how the Emirates Team NZ "Works Team" is shaking down Updated: After a year out of the sport, and cruising from Europe to New Zealand, Nathan Outteridge is having to come up to speed quickly with a new SailGP team, and getting the Emirates Team New Zealand America's Cup sailing program underway.
Posted today at 8:38 am
Etchells Australian Nationals Day 2
An early start for the fleet on the Swan River The great surprise of the day was that the Swan River was not aflock with Magpies. Known for hunting silver with a keen eye, these Aussie birds aught to have been greatly interested in the way the low morning sun plated the river's ultramarine undertones.
Posted today at 7:53 am
Pittwater to Coffs: Return of the two-handers
Some notable two-handers are set to return for the 40th edition Some notable two-handers are set to return for the 40th Pittwater to Coffs Harbour Yacht Race - the 2023 overall winner and runner-up along with the 2024 runner-up are keen to have a another go at claiming the overall trophy.
Posted today at 6:10 am
2026 RORC Caribbean 600 Multihull Line Honours
Jason Carroll's MOD70 Argo finishes in 1 day, 12 hours, 1 minute, 46 seconds Jason Carroll's MOD70 Argo (USA) has taken Multihull Line Honours in the 2026 RORC Caribbean 600 in an elapsed time of 01 Day 12 Hrs 01 Min and 46 Secs.
Posted today at 6:03 am
Vaikobi Bump Hats - Shield your head in style!
Lightweight protective bump cap with draw cord The reviews are in... foilers, surfers and sailors are loving our range of bump hats and caps.
Posted on 24 Feb
Quiet Achiever
100 days in. Best part of 5000nm to go. Maybe one more month or so at sea. Record awaits you. Just slugging it out. Bit over one hundred days have passed now. Under 5000nm still to run. Something like 30 to 45 days left to get back to the Iron Pot near Hobart. The living embodiment of, 'In order to finish first, first you have to finish!'
Posted on 24 Feb
Caribbean 600, MGR, Bacardi Winter Series
Trade-winds racing at the Caribbean 600 and Mini Globe Race, Miami buoy racing As the world adjusts its gaze from the Winter Olympics to non-quadrennial sports, and as the Northeast weathers yet more snowfall while many ski areas out West endure their worst season in years, the sailing world enjoys a world-class event.
Posted on 24 Feb
2026 RORC Caribbean 600 Day 2
Duels in the Trades Dawn in Antigua on Day Two of the 2026 RORC Caribbean 600 reveals a race beginning to take shape, but far from settled. Through the northern islands, the fleet has split into high-speed duels, tactical compression zones and emerging class battles.
Posted on 24 Feb