Author Topic: AC 33  (Read 20422 times)

Adam

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AC 33
« on: February 11, 2010, 12:39:14 AM »
Am I the only one not paying any attention? I don't even care. I want to, but dont seen to have it in me...Gosh I miss 1983.

Steve

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Re: AC 33
« Reply #1 on: February 11, 2010, 01:36:12 AM »
I know they were postponed from Monday until today, but I haven't even bothered to look to see what happened.  There is just something about these machines, with rigid sails and motorized winches, that just doesn't seem right.  Just as I don't get interested in power boat racing, I almost don't care about this either.  It's even worse when the victor is determined more by the courts than the helmsmen.

Adam

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Re: AC 33
« Reply #2 on: February 11, 2010, 03:54:21 PM »
No Tradition. It seems cold and impersonal. It's more about engineering then sailing skill. It always seemed to me that the AC was about four things - sailing skill, naval arch, construction, and management.  IMO not since the 12's was there any of this – at least not on the personal level. Helmsmen and crews, designers, builders, and heads of syndicates where like celebrities – you knew ‘em on first name basis. Now? 

I kind of stopped paying any real attention after about 93...Sad. Maybe its just me…<Rant over>  :'(

Adam Langerman

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Re: AC 33
« Reply #3 on: February 12, 2010, 10:53:34 PM »
ORACLE WINS FIRST RACE!

From an engineers point of view this is the best cup in recent history.....

Steve

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Re: AC 33
« Reply #4 on: February 13, 2010, 01:54:29 AM »
This is best 2 of 3, right?  We're half the way there.

Adam

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Re: AC 33
« Reply #5 on: February 13, 2010, 07:25:52 AM »
Sigh...I think I'll go back and read Stephens and keep my opinions to myself. When the cup is safely back in the Model room of the NYYC, and who's ever head is there now is returned, let me know....I just hope I don't have to wait 132 years....

HerreshoffHistory

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Re: AC 33
« Reply #6 on: February 13, 2010, 09:22:23 AM »
>No Tradition.

Please be careful here! The America's Cup has always been about
innovation, first and foremost. And if there was one innovative
designer to put his stamp on the America's Cup, it was N. G.
Herreshoff. Who, being a catamaran fan throughout his entire life,
would have wholeheartedly embraced the challenge of designing the
world's most advanced multihulls for the America's Cup.

>It seems cold and impersonal.

Really? As strange as it may seem to us "mere mortals", isn't this cup
the story of two billionaires fighting with all their means,
financial, innovative, legal, for the possession of the cup?
Impersonal? Please! Please also remember that strong personalities
have always been a major part of the history of the Cup.

>It's more about engineering then sailing skill.

Right! And that is exactly what the Cup was meant to be when it was
donated by George Schuyler. And that is also why it was dominated by
N. G. Herreshoff's designs for so many years.

Steve

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Re: AC 33
« Reply #7 on: February 13, 2010, 11:41:16 AM »
I think Charlie Barr had a little something to do with the NGH boats being such a dominant force in the AC competition.
« Last Edit: February 13, 2010, 03:26:18 PM by Steve »

HerreshoffHistory

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Re: AC 33
« Reply #8 on: February 13, 2010, 01:03:35 PM »
True enough, but the Herreshoff dominance in the America's Cup began well before Charlie Barr became involved and ended well after he had died.

Adam Langerman

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Re: AC 33
« Reply #9 on: February 13, 2010, 04:32:04 PM »
Next (attempt at a) race is Sunday @ 0900GMT.  0400 local  - I'll be up..

Adam

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Re: AC 33
« Reply #10 on: February 13, 2010, 11:15:08 PM »
My I seem to have started the Registry's version of a politics discussion. I may have been safer bringing up Healthcare...Oh my.......

I will disagree - The human factor should not be discounted. The best engineering is only as good as those using it. Nor can one underestimate a well run syndicate vrs. one that is not.

There are many cases of the Faster more innovative boat loosing to a better sailed/run one. Lets take for example Constitution - who NGH himself thought was faster then Columbia (the Barr factor referenced above), or Endeavour, which was just plain out sailed by Vanderbilt. And there are of course others.

I am not discounting the engineering aspect - or that part of it's importance to the cup - it's just the human aspect is being removed more and more - thus less interesting to me.


John Hutchison

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Re: AC 33
« Reply #11 on: February 15, 2010, 05:25:21 AM »
I truly enjoyed watching the 2nd and final race today.  What amazing boats and speed. I can't quite understand how these boats can achieve speeds >3x true wind.  31kts in 6-8kts wind speed!
I understand Ellison wishes to bring the next race format back to monohulls as in the past (although I'll bet they'll have wing-sails!)
Congrats to BMW Oracle!

Steve

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Re: AC 33
« Reply #12 on: February 15, 2010, 11:21:40 AM »
Yes ... Congrats to BMW Oracle.

Have you seen any indication by Ellison where the next venue will be?  San Francisco?

John Hutchison

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Re: AC 33
« Reply #13 on: February 15, 2010, 07:38:34 PM »
Well, I heard during the race webcast that Ellison has just purchased a mansion in Newport RI.  Could also be held in SF or Valencia. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

Adam

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Re: AC 33
« Reply #14 on: February 16, 2010, 05:39:44 PM »
He owns "Beechwood" in Newport. Rumors in Newport are that he is leaning towards that location over SD - and back to mono-hulls.