Ouch! Anybody watching the America's Cup?

[Laura Calderone]

Hmh, third leg and after hearing of the insults by the Prada "boss" and Team NZ putting in a junior helmsman, I can barely stand to watch! Prada looked so good in the Louis Vuitton cup, what happened?

Dawn Riley's America True were in a similar position; did great then got slaughtered. How does this happen?


Is anybody else out there watching? Is the America's Cup irrelevant to us as recreational sailors?

Laura



lcaldero@earthlink.net

[sloopjohnl]

very disappointing to say the least! i was rooting for Team DC all along so naturally i am not at all upset to see the italians lose. hope we can do better next time. maybe they will get organized a little sooner. the kiwis are good, no doubt about that.

[Jerry J Commisso]

It was painful to watch, I think the boat Team NZ used was far superior to any of the other boats. I don't think the sailors were that much better. With that boat I think any team could have won. I hope the US teams have learned from this, and it helps them next time around.
Jerry

Hmh, third leg and after hearing of the insults by the Prada "boss" and Team NZ putting in a junior helmsman, I can barely stand to watch! Prada looked so good in the Louis Vuitton cup, what happened?

Dawn Riley's America True were in a similar position; did great then got slaughtered. How does this happen?


Is anybody else out there watching? Is the America's Cup irrelevant to us as recreational sailors?

Laura

liasboat@aol.com

[Neil Gordon]

>>Is the America's Cup irrelevant to us as recreational sailors?<<

Absolutely not! As a matter of fact, given the right conditions of wind and water, a Cape Dory would be very competitive (even against NZ). LIQUIDITY routinely survives forces that cause America's Cup boats to break apart and sink.


Regards, Neil
s/v LIQUIDITY
Cape Dory 28 #167



neil@nrgordon.com

[Don Carr]

I have been follwing this Cup race fervently. Actually it was very interesting to hear Dennis C's comments about stiff masts and larger wetted sufaces; those things that purportedly make for stable cruising boats, not racers.
Yes, Italy did make some tactical errors but for the syndicate head to act as he did really denigrates the sport and I think he should be forced by the race committee to publicly apologize to the crew of prada. As far as the NZ boat, I think it is awesome, good basic design that has evolved at a relatively low budget. I still believe that America One with Cayard could have beat or at least been competitive with the NZ boat..just too many sailing errors, poor sail choice, horrible foredeck work. I hope an evolved version of America One comes back in 2003 I believe that boat has big potential.

For us 'old farts' it was very heartening to hear the average age of the NZ foredeck was close in to 40. Wisdom and experience usually is goodness in this sport.



carrd48@netzero.net

[Ken Coit]

Well, Black Magic certainly nailed that one shut. Great starting tactics, fast boat, few errors, good covering, and a design which would last just five races. With the spinnaker pole breaking as they crossed the line, it seemed like rather fine tuning to me. I'll bet there is a lot of starting practice by all potential challengers in the next few years. It must be nice to have two such boats, skippers, and crews to hone the knife. Wow!

Ken

I have been follwing this Cup race fervently. Actually it was very interesting to hear Dennis C's comments about stiff masts and larger wetted sufaces; those things that purportedly make for stable cruising boats, not racers.
Yes, Italy did make some tactical errors but for the syndicate head to act as he did really denigrates the sport and I think he should be forced by the race committee to publicly apologize to the crew of prada. As far as the NZ boat, I think it is awesome, good basic design that has evolved at a relatively low budget. I still believe that America One with Cayard could have beat or at least been competitive with the NZ boat..just too many sailing errors, poor sail choice, horrible foredeck work. I hope an evolved version of America One comes back in 2003 I believe that boat has big potential.

For us 'old farts' it was very heartening to hear the average age of the NZ foredeck was close in to 40. Wisdom and experience usually is goodness in this sport.

ken-shelley.coit@worldnet.att.net

[zeida]

As a former J-24 racing foredeck crew, and now owner of a CD-33, I too have followed the America's Cup since Ted Turner won with Courageous. The total wipe-out by Team NZ was incredible and made me feel sad for Prada, since they too did the best they could. It was just superior boat, sails, rigging, and sailors. But I guess you could see it coming since Black Magic #1 took over in San Diego. Prada should feel good about themselves, since they were the ones that MADE it to the Finals! That the Syndicate Head could be as stupid as to let the entire world see and hear him berating his own crew shows that the Italians can go from the sublime to the ridiculous and Bertelli should apologize to his crew if he is to remain as a competitor in the next Cup challenge. The racing in the finals never became really exiting, because NZL was so superior, but it was great to see what GREAT Sailing looks like! Beautiful spinnaker sets and takedowns, beautiful crew work at all times. I now race my CD-33 with a PERF rating and an all-woman crew of four. Racing for me is still lots of fun and we have never come in last... I still think Dennis has given us the most thrilling moments of all, and I will never forget Stars & Stripes coming back to the harbor in Australia after recouping the Cup, while the song was playing in the background "these are the times to remember, for they just won't last forever..." Go Dennis!
Cheers,
Zeida
CD-33 / Bandolera II
Miami FL



zcecil@attglobal.net

[Steve Rossmoore]

Hmh, third leg and after hearing of the insults by the Prada "boss" and Team NZ putting in a junior helmsman, I can barely stand to watch! Prada looked so good in the Louis Vuitton cup, what happened?

Dawn Riley's America True were in a similar position; did great then got slaughtered. How does this happen?


Is anybody else out there watching? Is the America's Cup irrelevant to us as recreational sailors?

There is very little TV sailing coverage in general, recreational or otherwise. I think that the coverage was fun for all sailors who were able to follow the Cup. As for "ouch", Team NZL deserves the honor they have earned in the sports world. I personally am not a TV afficienado of sports per se, but I always enjoy watching the best of the best, be it golf, baseball, tennis or anything else. If other TV sports nuts had more exposure to sailing,it sure wouldn't hurt!

Steve Rossmoore
Wanderer CD 27 #5
(From Harrison Township, Micigan-Home of Dawn Riley)

Laura

74200.163@compuserve.com

[Ken Coit]

Ah, Dennis! Now there's a real sportsman! I guess the syndicate must have made him sail a catamaran against a monohull. He is not our favorite sailor, even though he is generally competent.

Ken

As a former J-24 racing foredeck crew, and now owner of a CD-33, I too have followed the America's Cup since Ted Turner won with Courageous. The total wipe-out by Team NZ was incredible and made me feel sad for Prada, since they too did the best they could. It was just superior boat, sails, rigging, and sailors. But I guess you could see it coming since Black Magic #1 took over in San Diego. Prada should feel good about themselves, since they were the ones that MADE it to the Finals! That the Syndicate Head could be as stupid as to let the entire world see and hear him berating his own crew shows that the Italians can go from the sublime to the ridiculous and Bertelli should apologize to his crew if he is to remain as a competitor in the next Cup challenge. The racing in the finals never became really exiting, because NZL was so superior, but it was great to see what GREAT Sailing looks like! Beautiful spinnaker sets and takedowns, beautiful crew work at all times. I now race my CD-33 with a PERF rating and an all-woman crew of four. Racing for me is still lots of fun and we have never come in last... I still think Dennis has given us the most thrilling moments of all, and I will never forget Stars & Stripes coming back to the harbor in Australia after recouping the Cup, while the song was playing in the background "these are the times to remember, for they just won't last forever..." Go Dennis!
Cheers,
Zeida
CD-33 / Bandolera II
Miami FL

ken-sheley.coit@worldnet.att.net

[Don Carr]

Ah Dennis, the best depth sounder we will ever see- just go the opposite direction from his. It seems he's managed to ground in every major port trying to take the shortcut. In fact they named a drink after him in Newport.



carrd48@netzero.net