Posted on 02/13/2010 10:35:24 PM PST by cabojoe
VALENCIA, Spain (Reuters) - Challengers BMW Oracle, within one victory of landing the 33rd America's Cup, and Swiss holders Alinghi fine-tuned their giant, hi-tech boats on Saturday.
The Americans hold a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series going into Sunday's second race, which will begin two hours later than scheduled at around noon local time (6 a.m. EST).
Light winds are forecast but, with the series delayed twice this week by unsuitable weather, cold and grey skies again looked forbidding in Valencia Saturday.
Software mogul Larry Ellison's BMW Oracle has proved a technological breakthrough, its unique wing-shaped mast and mainsail giving it a clear advantage over the Alinghi catamaran upwind and downwind in Friday's opening race.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
Webcast and broadcast information and links.
Weather Forecast for America's Cup
BMW Oracle design press conference and Race 1 highlights YouTube videos
US trimaran flies to opening win in America's Cup article at NBCsports
America's Cup showcases latest sailing technology article
Alinghi 5 (left) and USA 17 (right) entering start box at beginning of race 1.
USA 17 gains the lead after overcoming a 660 meter deficit at the start.
America’s Cup Ping
The second pic shows USA 17 with one sail. Is it that powerful? I sail a Catalina 22 on a nearby lake but would love to ride a Catamaran just for the speed thrill.
Yes they took down the jib or whatever it’s called after they gained the lead. They said they don’t really need it in over 9 knots of wind, at least going up wind.
Is there any television coverage or live streaming coverage?
...and then I looked at the link. < /facepalm >
In the US it’s only streaming. Good coverage at http://www.livestream.com/bmworacleracing. There is also coverage at http://espn.go.com/broadband/espn360/channels?channel=3578779&; but it requires a download.
Update 12:30pm: AP still up, start time delayed.
Wind light and unsettled.
Triangular Course, 39 miles total: 13 miles to Windward, 13 miles to Reaching mark, 13 miles to Finish
Alinghi (starboard tack) enters from the right, BMW Oracle (port tack) enter from the left.
Outlook:
The America’s Cup is on the line today. Unlike Friday when no one knew what to expect, the match has become a question of whether Alinghi can find a mode or a point of sail where they are faster than the challenger. After BMW Oracle wolfed down A5’s 600m lead in a matter of minutes in Race 1 upwind, and extend to a matter of kilometers downwind, the biggest variable in Race 2 will be the two reaching legs of the triangular course where out-pointing the opposition won’t be the solution. Reports say that Alinghi changed out the engine that powers their hydraulic systems, and they may be hoping against hope for the super-light conditions that could even the performance gap against BMW Oracle.
If not, this is a best-of-three series, and the Challenger, Golden Gate Yacht Club, Larry Ellison, and their team, could today win the storied silver trophy that has obsessed yachting’s best for 159 years. From http://www.cupinfo.com/
I have a 22 Cape Dory I sail around Stuart, Florida.
Learned on Hobies.
While sailing is the same you simply go three times faster on a Hobie. And if you knnow what you are doing and hike up on one hull and can hold it you FLY.
they’re on delay, again
if you started a ping list, please add me. thanks for posting this :-)
You bet.
Sounds like they are going to race.
USA 17 Wins the 33rd America's Cup. The Cup is coming home!
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