Thursday, May 28, 2009
Alinghi new super Trimarin
Its being built in Villeneuve and promisses to be be some event when she is launched on Lake Geneva in July
Thursday, July 5, 2007
New bigger and faster boats to be used in next cup
The Protocol for the 33rd America's Cup was revealed on Thursday afternoon, detailing the broad outlines of the next event. Among the highlights was the introduction of a new class of boat, to be 90 feet in length overall, sailed by a crew of around 20 sailors. The final design rule for the new class will be issued on or before 31 December 2007.
The Challenger of Record is the Club Náutico Español de Vela which has agreed on the Protocol for the 33rd America's Cup with the Defending Yacht Club, the Société Nautique de Genève (SNG).
The Protocol was announced at a press conference in Port America's Cup on Thursday at noon, by Michel Bonnefous, the CEO of the event organisers, Brad Butterworth, the skipper of the winning Alinghi team, and Hamish Ross, General Counsel of Alinghi.
The venue for the 33rd America's Cup has not been announced. But it was acknowledged that there is an existing relationship with Valencia and a host city agreement with the city is being pursued. The selection of Valencia, or an alternative European venue, will be made and announced on or before 31 December 2007.
"Today we have a natural relationship with Valencia and Spain, and obviously we are discussing extensively the renewal of Valencia as a venue, but we haven't reached an agreement so far. I imagine if we can reach an agreement with Valencia it will happen fairly soon, so we will be able to announce it quickly," said Michel Bonnefous, who also confirmed he would be stepping back his involvement in the next Cup, but not retiring. "If not, we start the process - for two or three months - to select another venue. We have a few cities already who have told us of their int erest in hosting the America's Cup."
The 33rd America's Cup will take place no earlier than 2009 and no later than 2011. It will consist of pre-regattas (potentially to be used as qualifying for the main event), along with the 'main event', comprising Trials, Challenger Selection, and the America's Cup Match. This schedule will be confirmed on or before 31 December 2007.
As with the 32nd America's Cup, the SNG has appointed ACM to manage, organise and finance the 33rd America's Cup.
ACM is also charged with appointing a Race Committee and Measurement Committee along with a Chief Umpire. ACM will establish a Competitors' Commission, with representation from the Defender and Challengers, which will hold regular meetings as a forum to exchange information.
Clearly, the biggest change will be the new class of boat, which Butterworth described as being something that will open the door to new teams, as all the teams in the next Cup, even existing ones, will start from the same level.
"Everybody seems to want a new boat that is bigger, more exciting and difficult to sail, and faster which is the emphasis behind it," Butterworth said. "We're trying to develop something more exciting. These boats have been fantastic but I think they have got to the end of their life and people are looking for something bigger and faster, harder to sail. The guys will have to be athletic; they will be tough boats to sail."
In the pre- regattas, teams will compete in the existing America's Cup Class boats. There will be at least 18 months between the publication of the new Class Rule and the first race in that class.
ACM will now work on fleshing out the details of the new Class Rule, selecting the venue, and publishing the Competition Regulations and Event Regulations.
The Challenger of Record is the Club Náutico Español de Vela which has agreed on the Protocol for the 33rd America's Cup with the Defending Yacht Club, the Société Nautique de Genève (SNG).
The Protocol was announced at a press conference in Port America's Cup on Thursday at noon, by Michel Bonnefous, the CEO of the event organisers, Brad Butterworth, the skipper of the winning Alinghi team, and Hamish Ross, General Counsel of Alinghi.
The venue for the 33rd America's Cup has not been announced. But it was acknowledged that there is an existing relationship with Valencia and a host city agreement with the city is being pursued. The selection of Valencia, or an alternative European venue, will be made and announced on or before 31 December 2007.
"Today we have a natural relationship with Valencia and Spain, and obviously we are discussing extensively the renewal of Valencia as a venue, but we haven't reached an agreement so far. I imagine if we can reach an agreement with Valencia it will happen fairly soon, so we will be able to announce it quickly," said Michel Bonnefous, who also confirmed he would be stepping back his involvement in the next Cup, but not retiring. "If not, we start the process - for two or three months - to select another venue. We have a few cities already who have told us of their int erest in hosting the America's Cup."
The 33rd America's Cup will take place no earlier than 2009 and no later than 2011. It will consist of pre-regattas (potentially to be used as qualifying for the main event), along with the 'main event', comprising Trials, Challenger Selection, and the America's Cup Match. This schedule will be confirmed on or before 31 December 2007.
As with the 32nd America's Cup, the SNG has appointed ACM to manage, organise and finance the 33rd America's Cup.
ACM is also charged with appointing a Race Committee and Measurement Committee along with a Chief Umpire. ACM will establish a Competitors' Commission, with representation from the Defender and Challengers, which will hold regular meetings as a forum to exchange information.
Clearly, the biggest change will be the new class of boat, which Butterworth described as being something that will open the door to new teams, as all the teams in the next Cup, even existing ones, will start from the same level.
"Everybody seems to want a new boat that is bigger, more exciting and difficult to sail, and faster which is the emphasis behind it," Butterworth said. "We're trying to develop something more exciting. These boats have been fantastic but I think they have got to the end of their life and people are looking for something bigger and faster, harder to sail. The guys will have to be athletic; they will be tough boats to sail."
In the pre- regattas, teams will compete in the existing America's Cup Class boats. There will be at least 18 months between the publication of the new Class Rule and the first race in that class.
ACM will now work on fleshing out the details of the new Class Rule, selecting the venue, and publishing the Competition Regulations and Event Regulations.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Best Cup in living memory.
Just one more win and Alinghi can claim the cup for the second time. In the last six races the maximum winning victory has been just 35 seconds. The lead has changed times more than any other time in the events 156 year history and its generally recognised that the two boats have virtually the same level of performance, in all conditions seen so far.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Alinghi set up match point by win over New Zealand
Alinghi are only one win away from victory in the America's Cup. Today in light winds of 8-10 knots, they came from behind for the second time in two days to claim the race.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Alinghi two Team New Zealand two, its going to be a thriller
After four days of intense racing honours are even here in Valencia. Wednesday's racing was the first under "normal" conditions, where a stable wind of 9-11 knots enabled the two teams to take part in a fair test of technology and seamanship. Alinghi made the best start and were able to hold off Team New Zealand throught out the rest of the race. The interesting point came two minutes after the end of the match, when Principal Race Officer Peter Reggio called the two teams on his VHF radio and asked them to carry out a specific operation. They were asked to pull down their main sail, without having someone up the mast to assist. Team New Zealand did this without a fuss but there is some debate to what happened on Alinghi, it appeared that a man was sent up the mast to aid. An official protest was made by Team New Zealand and is being held as I write 13:00 Thursday. The international rules committee has wide ranging powers but it is not known when the results will be known.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Honours even after day two of racing
Alinghi convincingly won the first race in the America's Cup, surprisingly to most experts Team New Zealand took the second race to even the score. The winner of the Cup is the first team to win five victories. Here in Valencia there was are real buzz and sense of relief as New Zealand's victory has saved the interest in the America's Cup. Not since 1992 has a 5-0 result been avoided. Traditionally the Cup is a technology contest, with the best designed fastest boat always wins. This time although most expects believe that Alinghi is the fastest boat, its only slightly faster meaning that the slightest error can be capatilised on. The second race on sunday24th June, Alinghi took control early on and it looked like they were heading for a comfortable victory. Perhaps due to a lack of attention or overconfidence Alinghi left the door open allowing the skilful New Zealanders to pass and remain in front, finally crossing the finish line more than 100 metres ahead.
Racing resumes Tuesday 26th with light winds predicted which could play into the hands of TNZ
Racing resumes Tuesday 26th with light winds predicted which could play into the hands of TNZ
Friday, June 22, 2007
Alinghi name the helmsman and both teams ready for action
Alinghi announced on Friday 22 June that Ed Baird will be the helmsman for the races of the 32nd Americas Cup taking place in Valencia Spain. After years of testing and development the whole world will see if the latest Alinghi boat SUI 100 is as good as the rumours suggest. Racing starts Saturday 23rd June and the first team to record five victories gets to be the guardian of sportings oldest trophey. They will have the rights to decide the format, venue and timing, so billions of CHF's are at stake.
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