Yes! Awesome stuff, the onboard cameras and helicopters make for some exciting action.
Pretty funny when the grinder from New Zealand fell off the boat and they sailed off without him. Evidently they even have a rule about it that allows the teams to complete the race without all their crew if someone goes overboard.
Watched the whole two hours using the high-def YouTube feed on a 55 inch flat screen. Awesome.
After the fleet racing they had a 500 meter speed run, three attempts each. New Zealand won with a 28 mph average in about 15 mph wind. When these boats race in 20+ it's going to be insane.
You guys saw that crash in the windward pin? I think it was Emirates (NZ) ramming someone else and a couple of guys fell off the boat. I unfortunately only saw highlights but looks exciting. Hopefully many the action gets more people into sailing and cat sailing.
This stuff makes F1 car racing look like child play.
I am so glad that the America's Cup is back with catamarans. While tri's are cool too, nothing beats the excitement of cat racing!
-- ~ Vietnam Vet 69-71~ 17 Hobie w/big jib, ~18 Hobie mag,~DN Ice sailor,
and other toys.......
~~ I live in NY state on the north shore of Oneida lake in
Bernhards Bay. ~~~~~~ --
What is really interesting, for me, is that the boat in front, Artemis, which was on starboard tack when the collision occurred, was disqualified. Watch it again. Both boats are on port tack, Rothschild is set up right on the layline and slightly inside Artemis. Artemis tacks, gets onto starboard tack going verrrrry slowly, Rothschild starts to bear away to miss her and doesn't make it by about 3 feet. Artemis gets a DSQ. I assume for tacking too close. Rothschild, or you or anybody, doesn't have to start to keep clear until the tack is complete and the (new) starboard tack boat is on the right course.
Rules are tougher when you only have three seconds to make an expensive decision.
That is simply amazing racing footage. I cannot believe how hard those two boats smacked into each other. That analogy of it being like Formula one on the ocean is spot on. The state of the art Catamarans with the finest Sailors in the world in some of the most beautiful places in the world. It is simply amazing how fast those boats can go.... I watched the Youtube short on the speed trials and to be able to run 42 knots is just awesome for a sailboat. It really is exciting to watch and I really love the way those beautiful hulls slice thru the water... that has got to be the most exciting sailing to watch anywhere... peace
18.2c
When a boat is required to give mark-room by rule 18.2(b), she shall continue to do so even if later an overlap is broken or a new overlap begins. However, if the boat entitled to mark- room passes head to wind or leaves the zone, rule 18.2(b) ceases to apply.
I don't doubt that watching the videos makes it seem like they are really flying.. The way the teams work together on the boat is also very impressive. Looks like perfectly organized mayhem!! Also looks like a LOT of work...What is the fastest an 18 foot cat can go so far? Peace