America's Cup Update - Valencia, Spain - 1 May, 2007
AMERICA’S CUP (101)
History - One of the worlds oldest sports competition, US has
dominated until last 20 years, Australia, New Zealand and Switzerland have
also won.
Competition - Truly between sponsoring yacht clubs in each nation
but also country competition, e.g., New Zealand represents Royal New
Zealand Yacht Squadron Yacht Club, Auckland, NZ. So far, all for prestige
and glory conquering “blue water” sailing.
Governing Body - ACM-Coordinates Challengers and Defender
with “Deed of Gift” as rules guide. Holder of Cup determines where the Cup
race will be held for time of year and optimum conditions. Challengers
need 3 to 4 years to rebuild, redesign, build yachts, train crew and raise
money.
The Race - Challengers race each other several times for point
totals that determine semi and final Challenger races producing Challenger
Winner who meets Alinghi of Switzerland, Defender June 23rd 2007, best 5
of 9 races for the Cup. Late May and early June will see all boats racing
daily as weather permits.
The Yachts - Many
great classic large and small designs, the past 75 years have seen the “J
and 12’s” series leading to today. Now the boats knife through the
waves. They are 80 feet long, narrow in the beam with huge sail areas
capable of speeds of 15 plus knots. The mast is 110 feet high, the boats
weigh 55,000 lbs. and carry a crew of 17 plus a special guest. This course
in Valencia is shorter and more spectator friendly from shore. Races are
decided by fractions of minutes, three or four minute losses can be due to
breakdowns or miscalculations. Upwind and downwind legs of shorter
distance, easily viewed from land or tour boat, was the goal in Valencia.
Crew - 17 men with specific tasks all for maximum coordination,
communication and speed as a result.
Afterguard, Skipper,
usually at the helm, Tactician, Navigator, Strategist, Mainsheet Grinder,
Mainsheet Trimmer, Downwind Trimmer, Port and Starboard Grinders, Mastman,
Mid-bowman, Bowman, Pitman, Upwind Trimmer and Traveler adjusting the Boom
and Runner controlling the backstay.
Update 7, May:
As of today 7-May, 2007,
three semi finalists have made it, BMW-Oracle, Luna Rosa and Emirates NZ.
The fourth semi-finalist may be Desafio Espanol who holds a slim margin
over Victory Challenge. Semi- final races will be raced MAY 14TH TO MAY
24TH. VERSUS TV WILL SHOW EUROPEAN FEEDS !
Paul T. Rivard,
USA Yachting Journalist
7 May, 2007
