Anyone a Sailor? (Page 1 of 3)

The oldest trophy in sport ... The America's Cup.... Are you sure about that ?
How far back are we going ?
~ Brack ~

Yes, I believe it is. At least, the longest running competition for a cup. There is only one cup, which is possessed by the winner until the next competition. It was, is, and will always be a rich man's race. It is coveted beyond all others. It is a race of nations as well. One might call it the world cup of yachting. Only one yacht per yacht club is allowed to compete for the prize. If there are multiple challengers, they have a competition to select the ultimate challenger. Presently, that is called the Louis Vuitton Cup. The America's Cup race is always the best of 7 between the best yacht of the defending nation and the best yacht of all the challengers. Head to head.

The possesor of the Cup sets the time and place of the race when challenged. Traditionally, it is rigged to give the defending club the edge by local knowledge of seasonal wind conditions, currents and so forth.

The yachts are constructed by a set of design rules set forth in the deed of gift that established the Cup. The design rules have been modified as yacht building has advanced through the centuries. They can only be modified by the possessor of the cup. (read more fixing). There is a long and storied history of trying to find ways to "cheat" within the rules. Great secrecy surrounds each competing club's yacht and spies have been employed in the past to find out everyone's "edge".

Rick

Cool Cathy. I knew there would be a sailor out there somewhere. Living in San Diego, I grew up on and around sailboats and  I have been close to yacht racing and the Cup challenges more than most, especially since I work in a marine field (see my website)  and service racing sailboats. I know and have worked with Dennis Connor in the last San Diego defense series.  I have seen Ellison's boat on the water and it is unreal! 233 ft. vertical carbon fiber wing with flaps like a 'plane! 50 Kts in 15 kt wind!!?? HANG ON!

The Swiss boat is supposedly designed for somewhat lighter winds than the American. Cat vs Tri? It will be interesting to see a boat race where all that counts is speed. 5 am EST is kickoff. I don't believe these races will be long and slow. Fast used to be 10 kts.
Rick

Brack, that was a confusing reply so I will address what I think you meant.

Most coveted refers to the global yacht racing community.

I agree the football world cup is much more important among nations.

The America's Cup is one of the ultimate bragging rights among the super-rich. The most wealthy men in the UK strived for more than 100 years before they even won one race out of a match. One of the most famous quotes in sports history was made by the official observer for Queen Victoria in the first race, which she sponsored. She asked, when informed that America was in the lead and winning, "Who is second." The response was, "Your Majesty, there is no second." In addition to huge sums of cash, national pride is involved. Since the races are held more than 4 years apart, the bragging rights last and gall the losers.

The present race is unique since it is a "Deed of Gift" match. I believe there has only been one other challenge of this type in Cup history. You can google this topic for a more lengthy explanation. Phalanxes of lawers have battled in the highest courts just to decide where, when, and in what kind of boat this race would be done.

The two principals in this race are among the very richest in the world, multibillionaires. Each has invested close to 200 million, maybe more, to develop, build and hopefully win. They also bankroll the team of professional sailors who are the best in the world. Very rich men have been ruined in the past on this quest. It becomes an obsession of ego. We are witnessing such a contest and there is BAD BLOOD between them.

This match is a best 2 out of 3. I was incorrect in my original statement because in the case of a Deed match, things change.

Watch it online on Wednesday, weather allowing. This is an historic event.
Rick

Thanks for the support of my wax sir. Wish this was a paying pursuit, my column inch count soars.

I love this race because it gives us peons a chance to see the true heavyweights of the world slug it out in a test of pocketbooks.

I tended to run on about it because it is a very long and involved history; difficult for the uninitiated to appreciate. Very full of the "agony of defeat". It was a cruel blow when the miserable Aussies beat us at our own cheating game and wrested "our" Cup from us.

Bertarelli flung another barb towards his nemisis yesterday by asking why Ellison wasn't on his boat for the first race. Ellison responded with a lame "my boat didn't need the extra weight in light airs". One would think he might like to ride his toy after dumping hundreds of millions into it.

The drama continues tomorrow off Valencia, if there is wind.
Rick

Is it your cup ?

I can see how you would see, or regard the cup as yours after 132 years .... if somewhat arrogant ... may I say!

I see the race, very much the F1 of racing..... Only a few, the elite can compete.
~ Brack ~