America's Cup

DrBlinky

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 18, 2002
825
Cranston, RI
The America's Cup Challenge Series, the Prada Cup, is currently taking place in Auckland, NZ. I recall the shift by Dennis Conner to catamarans in his successful effort to get the Cup back, but these boats are unlike anything I've seen before.

Having been a lifelong RI resident and remembering the 12 meter yachts of the 70s and 80s (and the winged keel of Australia II), it's apparent that I haven't been following the rules changes over the last decade or so regarding boat characteristics.

(Airing on NBCSN and streaming on various sites.)

Edit: My memory betrayed me in regards to Conner's switch to the catamaran. He reclaimed the Cup in a 12m in 1987 but then used a cat to defend in 1988 when they were quickly pushed into a defense of the Cup.
 
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Tangled Up In Red

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Lifetime Member
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Nov 8, 2004
4,540
Bernal
I'll be watching.
My wife worked the 2013 Cup in San Francisco. Among the greatest comebacks in sporting history. Team USA won 8 straight after being down 8-1 to keep the cup. I didn't change my (nautical themed) socks for the length of the comeback.
With modern TV tech, sporting fans can make sense of these races. They're really quite incredible in attempts to read the weather, the tides, the boats.
And, man, these 75m monohull up on foils?! F*ing insane.

The qaulifiers back then were 45s (Louis Vitton Cup) but the actual AC boats were 72s. But catamarans. This is crazy tech.

I don't give a shit about boats or yacht clubs or whatever... but this is a pretty cool sporting event. If you get a chance, tune in.
 

ernieshore

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SoSH Member
Aug 24, 2006
2,284
The Camel City
I’m not a sailor at all but I remember watching and enjoying America’s Cup for a long time. ESPN used to give it great coverage. I miss the old 12 meter boats. (If I have that right).

I was watching earlier tonight and NBCSN did an outstanding job explaining the capsize and interviewing the crew - with one of the guys talking about how he was underwater and could have died. He was saved by a fellow crewmember. It was amazing.
 

Tangled Up In Red

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Lifetime Member
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Nov 8, 2004
4,540
Bernal
Interesting to see which skippers translate their skills to these vessels most effectively.
I mean, there has to be some unlimited talent (Spithill? Ainsle?) but some also may be horses for courses. Same true of venue.
 

Average Reds

Member
SoSH Member
Sep 24, 2007
35,330
Southwestern CT
The America's Cup Challenge Series, the Prada Cup, is currently taking place in Auckland, NZ. I recall the shift by Dennis Conner to catamarans in his successful effort to get the Cup back, but these boats are unlike anything I've seen before.

Having been a lifelong RI resident and remembering the 12 meter yachts of the 70s and 80s (and the winged keel of Australia II), it's apparent that I haven't been following the rules changes over the last decade or so regarding boat characteristics.

(Airing on NBCSN and streaming on various sites.)

Edit: My memory betrayed me in regards to Conner's switch to the catamaran. He reclaimed the Cup in a 12m in 1987 but then used a cat to defend in 1988 when they were quickly pushed into a defense of the Cup.
My father's family is from Barrington, so my RI-by-proxy weirdness includes an odd affinity for the America's Cup. (I may have been the only kid growing up in suburban Philly who could tell you who "Bus Mosbacher" was.) The new boats are marvels, but I'll admit that I miss the old days, when it was more of a contest between sailors* than between the technological wizards who now design the boats.

Still a great event.

*Caveat: That was the stated intent of the 12-meter format, but, considering that the boats were as "standardized" as stock cars, it's probably a myth. I'm sticking with it anyway.
 

OCST

Sunny von Bulow
SoSH Member
Jan 10, 2004
24,483
The 718
My college roommate was on the sailing team - club sport but very competitive and serious - he would have been good enough to make a serious bid for an Olympic spot but couldn’t afford to self fund full time training for 2+ years.

College sailing teams maintain fleets of identical two-man boats,l. Harvard sailing has a boathouse on the Charles, for example, has probably ~ 25 of these (?) randomly assigned to the teams day-of.