That’s life used to sing Frank Sinatra. You’re riding high in April, shot down in May. Or better said, that’s the America’s Cup. One day you are the defender and two weeks later the future is uncertain. As we reported a few days ago, Alinghi are emptying their base and when we checked this morning, Alinghi 5 had already left. I suppose she was towed to the commercial port in order to be shipped to some unknown destination. Her bowsprit was also on a truck ready for transportation.Although it is quite understandable for Alinghi to be moving somewhere else, it is puzzling to see the same activity going on at the base of the current Defender, BMW Oracle. There was plenty of activity in their base with a number of containers being taken away. Where to? San Diego, San Francisco or Newport? Alinghi are emptying their base while the bowsprit of Alinghi 5 is ready to be shipped. Valencia, 25 February 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia SailingAlinghi are emptying their base. Valencia, 25 February 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia SailingBMW Oracle are also emptying their base. Valencia, 25 February 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing Direct Link
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Meanwhile in Valencia… Alinghi are emptying their base @ Valencia Sailing
Went to parties at the bases of BMW Oracle, the new holders of the America’s Cup, and Alinghi, who have just had to wave goodbye to it. Won’t tell you whose party was best, that would be rude to my hosts. But was a good send-off for the 33rd Cup. A strange, bizarre but fascinating contest [...] Direct Link
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Late to bed, sore head @ Sail Juice
Valencia, Spain: Another chilly day is expected on the water today when Alinghi heads to the race course looking to even the best-of-three 33rd America’s Cup Match at 1-1. Today’s course is the 39nm equilateral triangle as per the Deed of Gift and is due to start at 12:06. Direct Link
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Alinghi looks to even 33rd America’s Cup Match @ Yachte.com.au
source: cayard website Well, we finally got some racing and it was completely different than all of us thought. At least upwind. The start was exciting…we had a dial up and a penalty! We had it all! I have to say that was worth waiting for. These boats are spectacular! After dial up and skillfully controlling much of the prestart, BMW Oracle looked like they got stuck head to wind with 30 seconds to go while Alinghi did a nice job to escape and win the start by more than a minute. Press Conference Race 1 – ©Eduardo Ripoll/33rd America’s Cup From there the two boats stayed on the port tack and were much more similar in speed than predicted. It looked to me like BMW Oracle had a bit of both….closer and faster…. upwind. The Americans rounded the top mark in what looked like 8 knots of wind with a 3:21 lead. I think everyone was waiting for Alinghi to come roaring up from behind but the opposite happened and BMW stretched out to a comfortable win for race 1. Alinghi’s back is against the wall now. They are slower in “their” conditions and on the windward… Direct Link
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33rd America’s Cup Race 1 from Paul Cayard @ ISTiOSELIDA
On the pre- start: “We did a pretty nice job we were able to get the penalty and really had them on the ropes. But we got locked in to windward and tried to tack out but had a bit of a fumble and got stuck in the breeze. It didn’t turn out the way I wanted it to! But leading up to that, the guys did a great job of putting us in a very powerful position.â€?On the boat speed: “I always thought if we were able to fly a hull we’d be faster upwind, but I was genuinely surprised downwind.â€?On the second half of the race: “For the downwind sail combination, the trimmers and weather guys made a good call. We decided to run with the Code 0 downwind and it was definitely the sail. JK (tactician John Kostecki) and Matteo (Navigator Matteo Plazzi) did a great job of getting us on the layline.â€?On his feelings on the day: “This was one of the hardest days I’ve had on the boat with the pressure and direction changes. But all in all it was a good day. I’m sure there are some improvements we can make, but obviously it was great.â€?On needing one more win: “We’re taking each race as it comes… There is stuff we can do to improve. Obviously downspeed we need some practice! We’re excited to get this one in. It’s full credit to the guys. For the shore guys and the guys who got it ready for us, today was a day where everything was great on the boat and that was really key for us as well.â€?BMW Oracle beats Alinghi in the 1st race of the 33rd America’s Cup. Valencia, 12 February 2010. Photo copyright Kaufmann / ForsterJames Spithill does his magic and hands Alinghi a penalty. Valencia, 12 February 2010. Photo copyright Kaufmann / ForsterBMW Oracle beats Alinghi in the 1st race of the 33rd America’s Cup. Valencia, 12 February 2010. Photo copyright Kaufmann / Forster Direct Link
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Quotes from James Spithill @ Valencia Sailing
