A Brush with Sail Blog
The News: Monday February 8
America's Cup - Today is the Day!
 'Flying High.' It's a trip through space for the crews on these 'magnificent sailing machines,' vying for the America's Cup. Photo © Gilles Martin-Raget.
of so few yachts, in order to defend and challenge for the 'Auld Mug.'
There is no doubt that technology development will benefit from the
design and construction of these massive sailing machines,
but considering all the legal wrangling and name calling that has ensued,
lets hope that the spectacle of these two yacht racing,
leaves us feeling that the waiting has been worth it?
Let's hope it's not another 'Coma off Point Loma.'
 'Where's Larry?'
Ernesto Bertarelli, the President of the Swiss syndicate Alinghi yesterday stated that he was saddened by the fact that his rival Larry Ellison of BMW Oracle Racing has kept his word and failed to show up for a joint owners press conference organised by the Americas Cup Consortium.
Mr Bertarelli stated that he was very surprised by the absence of Mr Ellison, who had previously stated that he would not attend as his executive director Russell Coutts had not been invited to attend.
Francisco Tormo, the Communications Director for the Consortium stated that it had been made plain that the event was a press conference of the owners and that no one else amongst the teams had been invited, or would be qualified to attend. ‘It is not that Mr Coutts would not be welcomed he stated, but he is not the owner of the team.’
When asked why his relationship with Mr Ellison had deteriorated so much, Mr Bertarelli stated that what happened today says it all. Mr Bertarelli also stressed that security was a most important concern during the upcoming races and demanded that all those who wanted to see the regattas for themselves take extra special precautions as this is in no way a summer regatta. It is between two immense craft carrying the latest technology that are capable of reaching tremendous speeds.
From 'Valencia Life Network'Another Kiwi Global Ocean Race Entry
With 580 days until the start of the Global Ocean Race 2011-12, entry #12 for the double-handed circumnavigation is from New Zealand. In common with three other confirmed entries from the UK, USA and Europe, the Kiwi skipper has chosen to keep his powder dry and wishes to remain anonymous until his campaign is fully formulated. The young and rising pro-sailor - a university graduate with crucial, shorthanded offshore racing experience – intends to announce further details shortly.
This latest entry reserves a second slot for New Zealand on the start line in October 2011 following the entry last autumn of Lapo Ancillotti and BT Boat’s Class40 – the Kiwi 40FC - from Farr Yacht Design/Cookson Boats and brings the Global Ocean Race fleet to 60 percent of capacity.
‘New Zealand is showing a very strong presence in the Global Ocean Race,’ comments Josh Hall, the event’s Race Director. ‘This highly talented and motivated professional sailor will undoubtedly be looking to win. The level of competition in the race is going to be intense and fascinating to watch,’ he adds.
Find out further information about the 12 confirmed entries; CLICK HERE
No Sailing For OK Dinghies Today
Imagine seventy OK sailors on a wine -trail in rural New Zealand! Sounds like trouble, don't you think? That's what a day off means in New Zealand.
They're back racing for the OK Dinghy World Championship 2010, on beautiful Wellington Harbor, tomorrow (Tuesday 9).
UAE National Championships at DIMC.
 Photo © Ashraf Al Amra Photo © Ashraf Al Amra.
With heavy skies and no wind delaying the start of the final day the prediction of big squalls and thunderstorms provoked mixed feelings for the sailors. ‘We had choppy conditions and little wind for the first days races but the sea started to build and we ended up surfing down huge waves in gusts of 20 - 25 knots by the end of day one,’ said Jon Hemingway from Dubai International Marine Club, who was helming in the Open Catamaran fleet. ‘It certainly wasn’t for the faint hearted and conditions today were the reverse, wild seas and screaming wind once we got started and then the wind died again,’ he added after taking his second place prize behind husband and wife team Peter and Carol Eldridge who were winners of the Open Catamaran Class.
Members of the UAE Sailing & Rowing Federation attended the race and Sheikh Khalid Zayed S Al Nehayan, President of the Federation awarded the trophies to the winners.
 Photo © Ashraf Al Amra.
Posted by Jim on 8th February, 2010 | Comments | Trackbacks
Tags: General News
The trackback URL for this page is http://www.abrushwithsail.com/trackback?post=17378638 TrackbacksThere are no trackbacks for this post There are no comments for this post Post a CommentHTML is not allowed in comments, http://... will be automatically linked.
|
