Finn Can Winn

Wednesday - July 4 2007 - 1017 PST - While Mini Sailor Ryan Finn won't be in this year's Mini Transat he will be well prepared for the 2009 edition. Finn just completed the Bermuda 1-2 setting a record time of 86 hours and 31 minutes for the first leg. Photo courtesy of www.ryanfinnoceanracing.com

ISAF World Championships Start Today

Wednesday - July 4 2007 - 0940 PST - The ISAF Sailing World Championships launched into action today with the opening races in the Star and Tornado fleets. It was an unusually overcast day in Cascais, but the grey skies did nothing to dampen the start of the Championships, especially for the French, who top the overall standings in both classes.

Low clouds hung over the headlands and extended as far as the eye could see over the water. A small swell and 8-10 knots of breeze - that picked up to the point that it whistled through the halyards of some of the spectator boats - prevailed throughout the day. According to Alfonso DOMINGOS (POR), world #8 in the Star and a Cascais native, 'The wind conditions that we saw today were normal given today's cloud conditions.'

The Tornado and the Star (racing in blue and yellow fleets) both completed their opening two races as scheduled. The northwesterly breeze was slight stronger and steadier on race area 5 where the Stars were competing, but more shifty and lighter for the Tornados close to the shore. Photo of Hamish PEPPER and Carl WILLIAMS tied for the lead in the Star Class at the end of day one by Fried Elliott/www.friedbits.com

Tunnicliffe Prepares for Worlds

Wednesday - July 4 2007 - 0903 PST - Number one ranked laser radial sailor Anna Tunnicliffe (last time we checked) is ready and hoping to add a world championship to her resume as she steams toward the Olympic games. She will be competing in the 2007 ISAF Combined World Championships that start today.

"Our Lasers here are all supplied. They are brand new with new sails, spar and blades to make this a truly one-design event. However this boat feels just like my regular campaign boat. We're not allowed to modify the boats, although we are allowed to use our own lines and tillers. First job, as soon as we got them was to add sponsor logos to boat, spars, blades and sail. My coach Mitch Brindley got here early too so we got in some good practice ahead of the racing which starts tomorrow. You'll be able to get results at Laser World Championship Results. Photo courtesy of www.annatunnicliffe.com

Sailing's Future?

Wednesday - July 4 2007 - 0846 PST - Check out this great video of Rohan Veal showing the Bladerider to the Alinghi camp. The fun police came and tried to shut it down, but to no avail. Photo Oskar Kihlborg.

Cutting Edges

Wednesday - July 4 2007 - 0843 PST - Leading British print and electronic media company Pindar (www.pindar.com) this week launched its brand new Open 60 in Auckland, New Zealand. A radical new design, which incorporates many cutting edge features including a rotating wing mast and hydraulically adjustable outriggers, this boat will be capable of breaking boundaries, setting records, and winning races. Having teamed up with ISAF World Sailor of the Year and Volvo Ocean Race winner, Mike Sanderson, and innovative designer, Juan Kouyoumdjian, Pindar's new Open 60 is being likened to the latest generation Volvo 70s, proven to be some of the fastest monohulls on the planet

Quotes From The Pros - Team NZ

Tuesday - July 3 2007 - 1627 PST - Grant Dalton, on the the 32nd America's Cup: "The guys have done an amazing job, and right now aren't feeling that sharp - it's been a long four years. I am of course enormously proud of them but Alinghi did a better job than us. We enjoyed the Louis Vuitton but knew it was a just a step along the run to the ultimate prize of the America's Cup. We didn't come here to take part, we came here to win it and we haven't done that. So now we have to re-group and see what the future holds. We don't have a clue what is going to happen. We have been focussed on the present, and now we just need a bit of time. The New Zealand fans have been absolutely marvellous - so supportive both here in New Zealand and out and I take my hat off to them." Story and photo courtesy of americascup.com

Quotes From The Pros - Alinghi

Tuesday - July 3 2007 - 1555 PST - Brad Butterworth, on what he thought crossing the line: "Please put the blue flag up! - I've been lucky with the guys I have sailed with through those past four editions - Dean Phipps, Murray Jones, Warwick Fleury and Simon Daubney and I have sailed together for years, and it's been a fantastic partnership and friendship. We have ended up in another team and with such a strong group of people. The strength has been fantastic and it has been incredibly fulfilling to sail with the best people in the world and show it in a regatta that has gone to the wire. It's been different to the 5-0 of the others - it's been really tough at times. To win against a team we have been so close to shows the strength of our group. It's very fulfilling. The Cup is getting bigger and better. Defending with TNZ was a fantastic achievement as it hadn't been defended outside the US, but now 150 years later it is defended in Europe for the first time ever with this team." Story and photo courtesy of americascup.com

Victory!

Tuesday - July 3 2007 - 1444 PST - The pic of the day is an obvious choice - Alinghi President Ernesto Bertarelli receiving the hardware with a smooch. Photo Ivo Rovira.

Butterworth's Take

Tuesday - July 3 2007 - 1437 PST - Brad Butterworth, on the last run: "Downwind turned a little bit into a minefield. I was a bit in denial that the breeze wasn't going to hold, but Warwick Fleury did a good job of coaxing us to get the jib up on deck and get things going, and in the end the penalty was worth it. If it hadn't been for the shift we would have won by over a hundred metres. It was great crew work." Photo Ivo Rovira

The Dream is Over

Tuesday - July 3 2007 - 1000 PST - In the New Zealand Herald this morning they described the race as "an unbelievable race in Valencia" and "an arm wrestle around the entire course." But the first line of the write-up said it all - "The dream is over for Team New Zealand."

All of New Zealand wanted this Cup and saw it as a a patriotic mission more than just a high profile sailboat race. Today the country is heartbroken, but some took solace in the reality that the Swiss team was stacked with Kiwis anyway. The conclusion of the Herald article wrote:

"This America's Cup came down to sailing. The Alinghi crew headed by Butterworth and featuring New Zealanders Simon Daubney, Murray Jones, Warwick Fleury, Dean Phipps and Rodney Ardern were just too good." Photo Ivo Rovira.

American's Tip Hat to Alinghi

Tuesday - July 3 2007 - 0947 PST - At the conclusion of racing today, a 50m long banner strung out across the front of the BMW ORACLE Racing team base in Valencia congratulated Alinghi on their outstanding achievement in winning the oldest trophy in international sport.

The 32nd America's Cup goes down in history as one of the top four in 156 years of competition - the others being 1920, 1934 and 1983. These were the only matches where the losing team won more than a single race. Photo Ivo Rovira.

Hindsight Sailing

Tuesday - July 3 2007 - 0855 PST - What an amazing race! Still much to review but our first post and gut says that Team NZ had this race won several times. After a race it's easy to pick apart the strategy of a great team like Team NZ. But, with that in mind, we ask the question again: Where did Team NZ lose the race? We find four times where Team NZ may have lost the race.

The Start - Team NZ had Alinghi under her control. She could have been more aggressive and tried to push Alinghi towards the committee boat forcing her to tack away. But instead she let her get away and gave Alinghi the starboard tack advantage...an advantage that would haunt Team NZ on both weather legs and ultimately prove disastrous for Team NZ on the second weather leg.

1st Leeward Gate - At the leeward gate on the first downwind leg, Team NZ was leading. They did an excellent job of passing Alinghi downwind only to make the same mistake as they did in race 6. They chose the wrong gate again giving Alinghi the right side of the course and starboard advantage. But to make matters worse, they did not cover soon enough after rounding the gate. Because of the huge separation, Team NZ could have saved a boat length by combining two maneuvers into one by tacking around the leeward gate onto port to cover Alinghi. They were in the lead and already had huge separation...they could have been on port tack at full speed before Alinghi even rounded the leeward gate. That would have allowed them just enough distance to cross Alinghi on port at the first crossing.

Second Weather Rounding - At the weather mark it looked on Virtual that Team NZ could have crossed Alinghi on port...this is a 'do or die' situation...they should have gone for it...Alinghi would have had to avoid a collision if they could not cross and Team NZ would take the penalty...if they could cross they would have won the race. Remember Team NZ had to win...they had to take chances to win...they did not. Instead, they were too conservative. They tried to bear away and Alinghi hunted them on starboard to force the port starboard advantage which gave Team NZ the penalty.

The Finish - The wind Gods must be Kiwis as they helped break the pole on Alinghi with a huge wind shift that put the Kiwis ahead. But Team NZ made two mistakes when they attempted their penalty turn. They started the turn too early and once they completed the turn they sailed too deep instead of heading up and building boat speed before turning downwind. The one second they lost to Alinghi can be seen in this last transition.

But, as we mentioned at the beginning of this post, hindsight is always better than foresight. Team NZ sailed their hearts out and never gave up the entire series. They had some bad breaks and the final series results of 5-2 does not reflect how good a team they are. You can bet that Team NZ are already thinking about next time and winning back the Cup.

We want to congratulate Alinghi on a well deserved victory and to both teams for making this 2007 America's Cup one of the most exciting in America's Cup history. Brought to you by www.layline.com.

Photo courtesy of americascup.com

Alinghi Joins the Elite!

Tuesday - July 3 2007 - 0849 PST - From the Alinghi camp on today's monumental win:

"This is a fantastic day for Alinghi, to win the America's Cup again after four years of hard work! The crew, the designers and the shore team have done an incredible job throughout the series, we have fought hard against a strong challenger and have won. We'll be celebrating tonight!" declared team skipper, Brad Butterworth.

Alinghi was the first European team to win the America's Cup in 2003, and now it has achieved another first by successfully defending it in Europe. Alinghi joins Team Dennis Conner and Team New Zealand as the only crews in Cup history to win as a Challenger and Defender.

With many lead changes throughout the series and an average margin of victory of 23 seconds, the 32nd Match will be remembered for its excitement and drama. The tightening of the America’s Cup Class Rule has helped produce this highly competitive racing. The differences were slight as ETNZ was a well prepared team with a quick boat and solid crew work.Photo Th. Martinez.

Alinghi Wins The America's Cup in Photo Finish!

Tuesday - July 3 2007 - 0730 PST - Both boats sailing downwind still on port. Team NZ has not engaged Alinghi into a jibing duel. The wind is fading away. Alinghi still ahead. But wait! The pole has broken on Alinghi! The spin is gone on Alinghi. Team NZ has jib up due to huge wind shift. Team NZ can still win! Alinghi puts jib up. Team NZ is passing Alinghi. Team NZ is ahead! They are now beating to the finish line. Wind is very light. Team NZ is tacking to do their penalty turn...it will be a photo finish. Alinghi wins by 1 second...what a heartbreaker for Team NZ! Stay tune for the wrap up...

Brought to you by www.layline.com. Photo courtesy of americascup.com

Alinghi Ahead And Sailing to The Finish

Tuesday - July 3 2007 - 0715 PST - Both boats sailing on port downwind to the finish and the right side of the course. If Team NZ can pass they still need to do a penalty turn before the finish...Replay on Virtual shows referree's call may be good but looked as though Team NZ did not need to duck...much to look at after the race on that cross at the weather mark...only way Team NZ can win is equipment failure or huge wind shift. Come back for the finish. Brought to you by www.layline.com. Photo courtesy of americascup.com

Team NZ Gets Penalty at Weather Mark!

Tuesday - July 3 2007 - 0700 - Both boats now converging. Alinghi has starboard advantage. Team NZ looks like they will clear...but they don't...they start to duck. Team NZ has to duck but does not stay clear. Alinghi hunts Team NZ and Team NZ trys to stay clear. Alinghi protests Team NZ and wins!!! Alinghi rounds the weather mark ahead of Team NZ but Team NZ has to do a penalty turn. Disaster for Team NZ! Looks like Team NZ stayed clear...could it be a bad call?? Stay tune for downwind leg. Brought to you by www.layline.com. Photo courtesy of americascup.com

Alinghi Comes Back In Tacking Dual!

Tuesday - July 3 2007 - 0650 PST - Team NZ rounds first on left gate with and Alinghi heads for opposite gate and rounds. Alinghi on starboard and Team NZ continues to sail on port heading for left side. Big separation. Team NZ does not cover...making same mistake as last time? Team NZ finally tacks onto port and is heading for left side. Both boats sailing on port and sailing for right side layline. Team NZ has 50 meter lead but will that be enough to cross Alinghi with starboard advantage on next cross? Both boats still sailing on port. Alinghi tacks to starboard. As they converge it's Alinghi with starboard advantage. Team NZ tacks to leeward and Alinghi tacks back to port. Team NZ tacks to port. Both boats sailing on port towards the right side layline. Alinghi tacks to starboard. Boats converging...looks like Team NZ could cross, but don't take the chance and tack to leeward. Alinghi tacks back...Team NZ follows suit. They converge and both tack away on opposite tacks as Team NZ can not cross. They both come back in this tacking dual. As they converge Team NZ can not cross...both boats sailing away...Alinghi tacks and Team NZ does not. Both boats now sailing to left side layline on starboard. Who will get there first...can Team NZ cross...come back for more!

Brought to you by www.layline.com. Photo courtesy of americascup.com

Team NZ Passes Alinghi!

Tuesday – July 3 2007 – 0600 PST - Both boats round the weather mark and the spin sets on each are perfect. They're both on port and heading downwind. Alinghi jibes first! Team NZ continues to sail on port. Now Team NZ jibes. Both boats on starboard. Now on the cross Team NZ will have starboard advantage. Alinghi jibes back to port... they converge...Alinghi jibes back to starboard, very close to Team NZ to leeward but Alinghi blows the jibe! Team NZ has huge gain. Alinghi spin fills and now both boats are sailing on starboard with Alinghi slightly ahead. Alinghi only 33 meters ahead but Team NZ is stealing wind from Alinghi. Team NZ is sailing over the top...Team NZ is ahead! The rounding is crucial...Both boats on starboard with Alinghi one half length behind Team NZ as they head for leeward gate..who will get there first? Stay tuned...

Brought to you by www.layline.com. Photo courtesy of americascup.com

It's Alinghi at the Weather Mark!

Tuesday - July 3 2007 - 0620 PST - Both boats are still heading to the left side. Team NZ is pointing slightly higher. Both boats are even. Alinghi tacks off to port and sails to right side. Team NZ does not follow. Big separation is starting. Team NZ now tacks to port and heads to right side. Both boats on port heading to right side. Virtual indicates Alinghi is 33 meters behind Team NZ with 480 meter separation.

Both boats still drag racing to the right side layline. Alinghi is almost to right side layline. Alinghi tacks to starboard. Both boats are converging...it's going to be very close...Team NZ tacks to leeward and Alinghi tacks back to port! Alinghi tacks again, so does Team NZ. Team NZ tacks to leeward and Alinghi tacks again back to port. Boats sailing away from each other...Alinghi to the right side and Team NZ to the left. Both boats tack again and start to converge...Team NZ tacks to leeward again and Alinghi tacks onto port. They sail away and now Alinghi tacks to starboard.

Team NZ stays on starboard! Both boats now sailing on starboard heading for the left side of the course. Both boats are even...Alinghi has starboard advantage. This time Team NZ tacks first....both boats converging...as they meet Team NZ tacks to leeward but this time Alinghi stays on starboard - living there. Only one minute to left hand layline. Boats are only one boat length apart! Very tight but Alinghi is holding her own to get to the layline for the lead to the first mark.

Team NZ is going faster and has 10 meter lead, but Alinghi has starboard advantage and is pushing Team NZ to layline. Alinghi tacks and Team NZ tacks on top. Team NZ overtaking...Alinghi luffs Team NZ! Both boats now bow down and getting back to speed. Team NZ overtaking again..Alinghi luffs again! Both boats in irons...Alinghi bears away with speed and Team NZ still not sailing at speed! It's Alinghi at the weather mark 7 seconds ahead of Team NZ...stay tuned for the down wind leg!

Brought to you by www.layline.com. Photo courtesy of americascup.com

The Start of Race 7

Tuesday - July 3 2007 - 0600 PST - In the dial up there is none...Team NZ gets on stern of Alinghi heading away from the line. Only half a boat length away from each other. Team NZ in control...Alinghi tacks on starboard, so does Team NZ. They are both heading for the line...very early. Team NZ in control. Alinghi tacks and Team NZ follows. Short run as they both tack back to the line. One minute to start - Team NZ to leeward, trying to squeeze Alinghi into committee boat. Both boats bow down and both boats hit the line at full speed. Start goes to Alinghi as both boats are even, but Alinghi has starboard advantage. Both boats drag racing to left side. Alinghi is living to weather but Team NZ is trying to squeeze them and force her to tack off to port. Who will flinch first?

Brought to you by www.layline.com. Photo courtesy of americascup.com