News

The 33rd Americas Cup in Numbers

2010-02-15 17:23:00

One month before Consorcio Valencia 2007 jointly with an international team of specialists staged a global event which again placed Valencia on the world stage.

The Société Nautique de Geneve delegated the land-side organization of the 33rd America’s Cup to Consorcio Valence 2007.

On 7th February the Port America' S Cup located in the Marina Real Juan Carlos I of Valencia inaugurated the 33e edition of the oldest international sporting trophy in the world in front of more than 60.000 people.

Over 10 days, more than 150 people of 10 nationalities were engaged in the smooth operation on the ground of an event which welcome over 200, 000 visitors and which concluded with the ceremony of handing-over of the spectacular trophy crowned by an exceptional fireworks display.

39 TV channels acquired the broadcasting rights : Sky (Great Britain), Canal + (France), Teledeporte and Canal 9 (Spain), Eurosport (Europe), Show Time (the Middle East), ESPN (the USA) FOX Live (Australia), TVNZ and Sky (New Zealand).

15 hours of live broadcasting to 216 territories

27 hours of special programs

2,160 million potential viewing audience.

INTERNET (www.americascup.com)

2,800,000 visits

1,200,000 unique visitors

656,000 unique visitors watched the live racing direct through the official web site

(this audience does not include the streaming broadcasting by 350 other Internet sites worldwide)

346,000 was the record number of unique visitors, occurring on the 12 of February 16,000 Facebook fans and 13,000 followers on Twitter in the three official languages of all the communication of the Web (Spanish, English and French)

More than 300 articles published more in three languages on www.americascup.com

PUBLIC AT THE MARINA REAL JUAN CARLOS 1

(from the 7th to the 14th of February)

Global number of visitors: 201,000 between the 7th the 14th of February

Record: 7th of February 2007 - 60,000 people at the event inauguration

More than 2,000 children of Valencian schools in organized visits

More than 1,200 hamburgers more served

More 5,000 served plates of paella

More than 800 fondues (150 kg of cheese) served

More than 1,400 kilos of powder in `mascletás'

PRESS CENTRE

965 Requests accreditation requests from 37 countries (Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, the United States, Great Britain, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, the Faeroes, Finland, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Holland, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Ireland, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden, Turkey, Islands Vírgenes and the Ukraine)

More than 8,000 articles were published

400 daily users connected to the Internet to the Wi-Fi network of 120 Mbs

10 kilometers of optical fiber installed

15 official Vehicles that have realised 13,244 kilometers in more than 700 services

5 official press conferences in the conference hall

PROMOTION

2,000 sq m of canvases

500 banners

180 bus stop advertising panels

1,000 1 minute adverts of the 33rd America's Cup in the trains of the Mediterranean corridor area

Continuous advertising of 35 seconds in 345 buses of Valencia

10,000 official programs distributed.

Presence in airports of Madrid and Barcelona

THE REGATA – 33rd AMERICA'S CUP

2 boats: the catamaran Alinghi 5 and the trimaran the USA

2 regattas: 12th of February and 14th of February 2 formats of racing: Windward/Leeward (12th of February) and triangle (14th of February)

79 nautical miles of racing: 40 in the first and 39 in second

24 sailors in the official crew listing: 14 on Alinghi 5, 10 in the USA

2-0, the score in favor of BMW ORACLE Racing

15 minutes and 25 seconds, the delta of first race, the 12 of February

5 minutes and 29 seconds, the delta of second race, the 14 of February

AMERICA'S CUP

33 editions of America's Cup between 1870 and 2010

4 countries have defended the America's Cup: The United States, Australia, New Zealand and Switzerland

28 editions defended by the United States: 1870 to 1983, 1988, 1992, 1995

1 edition defended by Australia: 1987

2 editions defended by New Zealand: 2000 and 2003

2 editions defended by Switzerland: 2007 and 2010

7 countries have reached the America's Cup Match (England, Italy, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand and the United States)

6 venues in 159 years: New York (the USA), Newport (the USA), Fremantle (AUS), San Diego (the USA), Auckland (NZL) and Valencia (ESP) 1 trophy: the America's Cup

1 America's Cup

USA win 33rd America's Cup Match

2010-02-14 21:49:00

The American team, founded ten years ago by software mogul Larry Ellison, achieved its ultimate goal when they powered across the finish line of Race 2 with a margin of 5 minutes and 26 seconds to defeat the Swiss Defender’s Alinghi 2-0.

Ellison sailed on board USA today, his first America’s Cup Match race proving a winning one.

BMW ORACLE Racing become the first American team to win the America’s Cup since 1992 when America3 defeated Il Moro de Venezia off San Diego.

San Francisco’s Golden Gate Yacht Club become the 28th American Defender of the America’s Cup.

Russell Coutts, CEO of BMW ORACLE Racing, has now won the America’s Cup four times, twice with his native New Zealand, once at the helm of the Swiss Alinghi team and now masterminding the success of Ellison’s American team.

In the evening twilight the giant black and white trimaran USA speared across the finish line off Valencia, a long way ahead of the Swiss team who first won the America’s Cup in New Zealand in 2000 and then successfully defended it against Emirates Team New Zealand in July 2007.

After a delay of over six hours waiting for the SE’ly wind to settle, Race 2 of the best of three series was contested in around 6-9 knots of breeze.

The showdown immediately unfolded in dramatic fashion when Alinghi were penalised for an error in the start box, the second successive penalty during the Pre-Start sequence. USA lead off the start line by 23 seconds but the Swiss team hooked into extra wind pressure on the right side of the course and a favourable 20 degrees shift in wind direction.

They profited progressively and at one stage were some 600 metres ahead of the BMW ORACLE Racing Team’s trimaran.

Unlike Friday’s whitewash, when USA sailed steadily away from Alinghi 5, the windward leg was nailbiting right until the American trimaran was able to round the first mark with a small lead.

On the approach to the windward mark of the 39 miles triangle shaped course, USA came back when they were able to squeeze inside the line of Alinghi, to turn 27 seconds ahead. Surging to 30 knots at times on the first of two 13 miles reaches, the powerful trimaran with its 223ft high solid wing sail rig was able to gain 2 minutes and 23 seconds by the second turning mark, the gybe, going on to win by 5 minutes and 29 seconds.

Valentine’s Day sees bright sunshine and light winds this morning around the Marina Real Juan Carlos 1, the beating heart of the 33rd America’s Cup.
The forecast looks fairly promising for Race 2 which is due to start around midday, although the race committee do plan to wait until the forecasted SE’ly breeze arrives and won’t be hurried. In many respects it is a similar situation to Friday Race 1 where the offshore breeze is due to give way a breeze from the southerly quadrant.

Alinghi 5 docked out first with Swiss timing at 0900hrs to their signature Red Hot Chili Peppers ‘Can’t Stop’. If this proves to be their last day as America’s Cup holders, team president Ernesto Bertarelli (SUI) wore a huge smile and looked relaxed as he stepped on board. They have the advantage of entry with right of way on starboard tack today and may try for revenge in the start box, and aim to pin a penalty of USA.

BMW ORACLE Racing’s USA crew looked equally relaxed and focussed. They left their base knowing they can make sailing history today. The triangle course is more of a challenge in terms of manoeuvres, boat handling and sailing on the tight reaches. But, once more we are heading into unknown territory. Some say Alinghi will be stronger around the reaching course, but others simply point to the extra righting moment of USA and the power to drag ratio of their wing weapon.

It could be a red letter day for Russell Coutts (NZL) the CEO of BMW ORACLE Racing. In 1995 he skippered Black Magic to win the America’s Cup for New Zealand 5-0 against Dennis Conner’s Young America Team and in 1993 he skippered Alinghi to win the America’s Cup 5-0 for Switzerland. In

Race officer Harold Bennett (NZL) said this morning:

“ We are going out for looking to midday but I am not sure we will see the breeze by then, and we have to wait for this offshore breeze to die away and for the wind to turn into the SE, it is going to be in that quadrant, southerly or SE. So we have to wait and see until it develops.”

Final Deltas Race 2:
                                        Start    Mark 1    Mark 2     Final
Alinghi
BMW ORACLE Racing          0:23    0:27       2:50         5:29

They said...quotes from BMW ORACLE Racing and Alinghi

2010-02-14 21:03:00

Quotes

BMW ORACLE Racing Team (USA):

Larry Ellison (USA) team founder and afterguard BMW ORACLE Racing (USA):
“ It is a fabulous experience I am very proud to be part of this team and I am exceptionally proud to bring the America’s Cup back to the United States of America for the first time in a very long time.”

James Spithill (AUS) skipper-helm BMW ORACLE Racing Team (USA):
“ What a fantastic race. Firstly I would really like to congratulate Alinghi for bouncing back today. They were coming out there swinging. We knew they were a champion team and they showed that again today. Full credit to them it was one hell of a boat race. I tell you enjoyed every minute of it.”
It was good to see the reaching race, I think you’ll appreciate the boats getting together and showed how exciting it can be.

John Kostecki (USA) tactician BMW ORACLE Racing Team (USA):
“ This is huge. I have been dreaming about winning the America’s Cup for 25 years and so it is a very special moment. It is a great team and this was very much a team effort. Everyone put in a lot. It was a difficult project especially with the wing sail, and there was some testing times.”

Russell Coutts (NZL) CEO and afterguard BMW ORACLE Racing Team (USA):
“ I think this was a very challenging event. Even two or three months ago I was not sure that we could have our team working effectively enough to beat these guys. I know, because I was in team Alinghi and I know how good they are. It was a fantastic effort on our behalf to have beaten them and certainly I hope to see them back and competing in the America’s Cup.”

Larry Ellison (USA) team founder and afterguard BMW ORACLE Racing Team (USA) ….one his thoughts on possible venues for the 34th America’s Cup in response to questions about San Francisco and Valencia:
“ I think we are open to considering a lot of options. We will talk to San Francisco, to Valencia…..Valencia have been fantastic hosts to the last two America’s Cups. And as you know we pushed very hard to hold this Cup in Valencia. It was not the Defender’s first choice, and overall we enjoyed sailing the 32nd and the 33rd America’s Cup in Valencia.”

Larry Ellison (USA) team founder and afterguard BMW ORACLE Racing Team (USA)….on speculation about a Challenger of Record:
“ All I would like to say is that we definitely have Challenger of Record. One thing I would like to assure people about the 34th America’s Cup. There be a completely independent jury, there will be a completely independent umpires. It will be an independent group which manages the next America’s Cup and there will be a level playing field for all competitors.”

James Spithill (AUS) skipper-helm BMW ORACLE Racing Team (USA)….on comparisons with his last America’s Cups in monuhulls;
“This one has been an amazing experience, pretty much for al the team, but especially for the sailors, Pretty much everyone on the boat had very little multihull experience beforehand. In some ways this almost one feels harder. For me personally it was a really steep hill to climb. To be able to climb that you need to have good support and early on Franck Cammas and the Groupama guys, Glenn Ashby, Roman Hagara and a lot of these multihull experts. From my point of view there was no way I could have got to that level without their help and support.”

Russell Coutts (NZL) CEO and afterguard BMW ORACLE Racing Team (USA):
“ Of course we would like to see Alinghi back as a challenger. They are one of the best teams in this business, and they have proven that. I think that the Cup boats we should reach consensus with the rest of the America’s Cup world. I think it would be irresponsible for one party to make try and make a decision on behalf of the everyone else. You need to put a lot of thought into this. This is a 159 year old trophy and let’s look after it.”

Larry Ellison (USA) team founder and afterguard BMW ORACLE Racing Team (USA):
“This particular America’s Cup has got a lot of interest because for the first time in a long time it featured the two fastest sailboats in the world. And the limits of what is possible marrying high speed sailing and material science, carbon fibre, Kevlar, computational fluid dynamics, computer simulation of not only our hulls but also our wing. It was really a high tech race. And a bunch of people who really aren’t that interested in sailing followed it pretty closely. And we think that is important for our sport. We think that is important to get the television coverage, to involve non sailors as well as sailors. We are going to try and make decision along with the rest of the America’s Cup community so we can do just that, achieving sponsorship and funding for all of the teams from BMW ORACLE and Alinghi to the China Team and the South African Team and the Swedish team the New Zealand team. If we do our job well and work closely with them it should be the most popular America’s Cup ever, the 34th America’s Cup.”

Alinghi

Ernesto Bertarelli (SUI) Team President and helm Alinghi (SUI):
“Over the last ten years anyone who has come close to the Alinghi team I guess understands what I feel now. There is a unique warmth, a unique spirit, a unique friendship that ties any person who has either worked, cheered or come close and met the Alinghi team. And so I am very proud of what we achieved over the last nine years.”

“It is not for me decide the future of the America’s Cup any more so I will wait and see what the future is going to bring us and where it going to take us. Then I will decide.”

“We could see there was a bit of difference in the boats, but that’s yacht racing.”

“ They had a strategy. They got a little help from the legal system in New York that always makes things difficult for us Europeans to get the same sort advantages. They were able to change their boat when they saw ours, they were able to bring a wing and they were faster. So, good on them. Maybe I wouldn’t have done the same thing, but that is the America’s Cup, it is not the European Cup, it is the America’s Cup. The Americans have a bit of an advantage but they take the Cup back home. Let’s see what happens now.”

“ I think the greatest achievement of Alinghi is being the first European Team to win the America’s Cup.”

“If you win the America’s Cup you hope you are not going to be sued!”

“ The best part is not actually having the silverware itself. The best part is having the team that is successful, which has a spirit, which wins and god knows if we had won. If any team that has won over the last ten years has won it is Alinghi. Now these last two races we did not win, we were disadvantaged we didn’t have a boat which was quite fast enough, but with the boat we had, with the odds we had we did our best to show that we were not going to lay down. We exit with our heads high.”

Brad Butterworth (NZL) skipper-tactician Alinghi (SUI):
“ I think both days were real races. Unfortunately it is just two races, but I’d like to congratulate Oracle on the job that they have done, designing and building and sailing that boat. It is not an easy thing to do the change their boat, to re-mode it and to push it when they saw what we were coming out with. And to the guys in our group as well. They did a great job with the time constraints they had.”
“ We wanted to get the right hand side of the start line. We were a little bit bunched by the start being called so late in the day. We really weren’t close enough for the time that we had and we struggled to ping the ends and then gybe round and get to our end so we got a nice penalty for free and that was two for two, so we like be even numbers, that is good. We thought we’ve got the penalty we will gybe round and we could not get to the starboard layline to the committee boat which is what wanted, because of the spectator boats.”
“We managed to get what we wanted and I think we had better pressure on that side on that long starboard tack and we pushed the boat harder than we have ever pushed it on both tacks.”

Victory USA!

2010-02-14 19:38:00

USA lead off the start line by 24 seconds but the Swiss team hooked into extra wind pressure on the right side of the course and a favourable 20 degrees shift in wind direction.

They profited progressively and at one stage were some 600 metres ahead of the BMW ORACLE Racing Team’s trimaran.

Unlike Friday’s race 1 whitewash, when USA sailed steadily away from Alinghi 5, the windward leg was nailbiting right until the American trimaran was able to round the first mark with a small lead.

On the approach to the windward mark of the 39 miles triangle shaped course, USA came back when they were able to squeeze inside the line of Alinghi, to turn 28 seconds ahead. Surging to 30 knots at times on the first of two 13 miles reaches, the powerful trimaran with its 223ft high solid wing sail rig was able to gain 2 minutes and 16 seconds by the second turning mark, the gybe, going on to win by 5 minutes and 26 seconds.

Provisional Deltas
                                             Start    Mark 1    Mark 2             Finish
Alinghi
BMW ORACLE Racing    24s      28s          2m:44s            5m:26s

Kiwi Cup King?

2010-02-14 19:16:00

He won five straight races in 1995 in San Diego when the New Zealand challenger Black Magic defeated Dennis Conner and Young America, when the charismatic Peter Blake was skipper, Coutts steered and Brad Butterworth called the tactics.
Again in 2000, the score was a New Zealand 5-0 victory, this time against Italy’s Prada, on home waters off Auckland when Coutts handed the helm for the last race to protégé Dean Barker, then just 26 years old.

A few months later and Ernesto Bertarelli engages the services of Coutts, Brad Butterworth, Simon Daubney. Warwick Fleury and Murray Jones, the core of the successful Kiwi team.
Bertarelli put together the Alinghi team which Coutts then skippered against the Defender, Team New Zealand. In the Match he inflicts a 5-0 defeat on Barker and his Kiwi compatriots, sending the America’s Cup for the first time in 152 years.
In the months that follow, disagreement between Coutts and Bertarelli sees the Kiwi forced on to the sidelines for the 32nd America’s cup.

After being defeated in the semi-finals of the Louis Vuitton Cup, Larry Ellison signed up Coutts as CEO of BMW ORACLE Racing Team to organize their challenge for the 33rd America’s Cup. Coutts selected match racing firebrand James Spithill (AUS) as skipper-helm, standing back to manage the team, ensuring all of the key components were in place, from technological innovations to a solid, talented sailing team which included a core which had sailed many miles together on a wide variety of craft.

After two and a half years of intervening legal debate, the 33rd America’s Cup was scheduled to get under way on February 8th 2010 off Valencia. Tonight he has reason to celebrate.

Fantastic Race 2 action as USA leads first two marks of Race 2.

2010-02-14 17:49:00

The first leg of this second race of the 33 America's Cup was laden with action. Alinghi have their second penalty in as many races after they did not enter the start box correctly. USA had a lead of 24 seconds at the start but Alinghi 5 rallied when they came back, gaining on a 20 degree shift in wind direction on the first leg. But USA lead at the WW1 mark by 28 seconds and have extended their lead all the way down the first reach.

Valentine's Day....perfect settting for Race 2

2010-02-14 09:23:00

The forecast looks fairly promising for Race 2 which is due to start around midday, although the race committee do plan to wait until the forecasted SE’ly breeze arrives and won’t be hurried. In many respects it is a similar situation to Friday Race 1 where the offshore breeze is due to give way a breeze from the southerly quadrant.

Alinghi 5 docked out first with Swiss timing at 0900hrs to their signature Red Hot Chili Peppers ‘Can’t Stop’. If this proves to be their last day as America’s Cup holders, team president Ernesto Bertarelli (SUI) wore a huge smile and looked relaxed as he stepped on board. They have the advantage of entry with right of way on starboard tack today and may try for revenge in the start box, and aim to pin a penalty of USA.

BMW ORACLE Racing’s USA crew looked equally relaxed and focussed. They left their base knowing they can make sailing history today. The triangle course is more of a challenge in terms of manoeuvres, boat handling and sailing on the tight reaches. But, once more we are heading into unknown territory. Some say Alinghi will be stronger around the reaching course, but others simply point to the extra righting moment of USA and the power to drag ratio of their wing weapon.

It could be a red letter day for Russell Coutts (NZL) the CEO of BMW ORACLE Racing. In 1995 he skippered Black Magic to win the America’s Cup for New Zealand 5-0 against Dennis Conner’s Young America and in 2003 he skippered Alinghi to win the America’s Cup 5-0 for Switzerland.

Race officer Harold Bennett (NZL) said this morning:

“ We are going out for looking to midday but I am not sure we will see the breeze by then, and we have to wait for this offshore breeze to die away and for the wind to turn into the SE, it is going to be in that quadrant, southerly or SE. So we have to wait and see until it develops.”

Crews line up. (no changes to Race 1 line up in either team)

Alinghi 5 Crew List :
Piet van Nieuwenhuijzen (NED),Bow 1
Curtis Blewett (CAN),Bow 2
Jan Dekker (RSA/FRA),Bow 3
Rodney Ardern (NZL),Pitman
Simon Daubney (NZL),Trimmer upwind
Nils Frei (SUI),Trimmer downwind
Warwick Fleury (NZL),Mainsail trimmer
Pierre-Yves Jorand (SUI),Traveller
Ernesto Bertarelli (SUI),Helmsman
Brad Butterworth (NZL),Tactician
Murray Jones (NZL),Strategist
Juan Vila (ESP),Navigator
Loïck Peyron (FRA),Floater
Peter Evans (NZL), Pre-start

BMW ORACLE Racing Team Crew List :
Brad Webb (NZL), Bowman
Simone de Mari (ITA), Pitman
Ross Halcrow (NZL), Jib Trimmer
Dirk de Ridder (NED), Wing Sail Trimmer
Joey Newton (AUS), Wing Sail Caddy
John Kostecki (USA),Tactician
James Spithill (AUS),Skipper/Helmsman
Matteo Plazzi (ITA),Navigator
Thierry Fouchier (FRA), Aft Pit
Matthew Mason (NZL), Mast

Key points: Triangle course versus Windward Leeward

2010-02-14 09:12:00

The major difference between this race and Race 1 sailed on Friday is the two reaching legs. Sailing at 120° angle for 13 miles will be more of a challenge for both competitors.
Multihulls are not made to sail at such tight angles and they will be massively overpowered with their genoa. These are the most dangerous legs of this America’s Cup Match as the leeward hulls will want to bury itself underwater.
USA thanks to their huge width and natural lateral stability (righting moment) should feel comfortable meanwhile Alinghi will compensate that with their ballasts.
However the danger is the faster you go the riskier it is to nose dive. At this angle the leeward hull will want to go underwater and the trick is to know whether you bear away fast or come up hard to depower –
The crews will also have to be pretty quick to adapt their trim in order to avoid the windward hull to take off too much always synonymous of speed loss.
A very interesting day here in Valencia with hopefully both boats returning safely home tonight.

Multi V Mono

2010-02-14 08:31:00

However this 33rd America’s Cup will be a complete new game with two multihulls sailing upwind at 25 knots at times and capable of speed in excess of forty knots under gennaker.

One of the key issues for both team’s afterguard is maneuverability. Due to their width, a multihull has never been very good around tight corners. Any change in direction is extremely costly in terms of losing distance against an opponent who is sailing at high speeds, and that becomes even more acute when they have to tack.

To give an example, Alinghi 5 and USA Racing can execute a complete tack in 20 to 40 seconds depending on the wind strength and sea state. This is more or less the same time as what we were able to do on the old America’s cup boat.

The massive difference is however, the monohull sailed at an average of 10.3 knots upwind. The speed usually dropped to roughly 7.5 during the tack and the loss was a mere ½ boat length.

With these guys, the boat is flying at 25 knots but the speed still drops to less than 10 during the tack and for a short while, the loss can be around 7 to 10 meters … per second.

This is one of the reasons why this 33rd America’s Cup won’t be the usual tacking battle and more so a drag race and the afterguard will elect to keep the number of tack to an absolute minimum.

One match point?

2010-02-13 19:37:00

Cool, blustery offshore breezes prevailed through Saturday around Valencia’s Marina Real Juan Carlos 1 but they are forecast to give way to a gentler SE’ly wind which might allow an early afternoon race, what may be the final showdown of the 33rd America’s Cup match.

The start to Race 2 has been postponed for two hours to around midday Sunday

Alinghi, the Swiss team which won in 2003 in Auckland, NZ. and then retained the America’s Cup in these Valencian waters in July 2007, suffered a heavy defeat in Friday’s opening race, when the superior speed and power of the USA’s wing-sailed trimaran was evident in the specific weather conditions.

But, the change to the shorter 13-miles reaching legs of the triangle course, the prospect of lighter breeze and the chance to learn from the mistakes they reported that they made configuring and setting up their catamaran, Alinghi 5, might contribute to a reversal of fortune.

Addressing the media after Race 1, both Russell Coutts (NZL), the three times America’s Cup winning CEO of BMW ORACLE Racing Team and Ernesto Bertarelli (SUI) cautioned that this America’s Cup is far from over.

Both teams spent Saturday de-briefing information gained from Race 1 looking for improvements. Alinghi’s chief designer Rolf Vrolijk (NED) said Friday that they were hoping for different conditions in which they could ‘hopefully be competitive.”

BMW ORACLE Racing informally presented key members of their technical team to the media today including Design Director Mike Drummond (NZL). The Kiwi is on his eighth America’s Cup and was among the design team of 132 foot KZ1, which lost the 1988 Deed of Gift challenge against the USA’s 60 foot catamaran.

Drummond, who was one of the key drivers in the team’s decision to build the solid wing which has proven a ‘weapon’ admitted that even he was a little surprised at how much the BMW ORACLE Racing trimaran had gained on the downwind leg of Race 1. From Mark 1 to the finish, 20 miles downwind, BMW ORACLE Racing gained around five minutes.

If the USA team can win back the America’s Cup it will be for the first time since Dennis Conner’s Stars & Stripes team lost 5-0 to New Zealand’s famous KZ 32 Black Magic in San Diego in 1995.

Race 1 saw a huge number of visitors on www.americascup.com. 346,604 unique visitors or computers logged on to the website during Friday, 90,000 visitors more than Monday 8th.
In terms of countries the USA accounted for 123,225, Italy second highest with 92,811, Switzerland with 80,889, France 65,951.

Quotes:

Harold Bennett (NZL) Race Director and Principal Race Officer:
“ It was good to get the race away (yesterday) and at long last see the two giant multis battle it out. It was great.
On the start entry set up
“ Maybe it could have been modified a little different but it won’t be any different tomorrow because what we start with is what we’ll finish with. But not having had these boats before you don’t really know what the best formula would have been to do that. Now we have had one race we have actually had one pre-start with these boats, maybe it could have been a little different, but I am afraid it won’t be any different. So that’s that.”
On setting up the triangle course:
“ The triangle course, being only 13 miles to windward, is a little easier. You don’t have to look for the 20 miles of beautiful breeze coming down.”
“But the indicators are at the moment that we are going to see an offshore breeze overnight. It is going to die in the morning and flatten out the seas and eventually come in off the SE, and if that is the case. It will be light 6-8 knots. If that is the case we will be quite close to home here. We might be off Sagunto (12 miles north of Valencia) and so there should be the opportunity to see these boats off the shore. I hope that if the weather comes that way then we will do it that as much as practical.”

Mike Drummond (NZL) design director BMW ORACLE Racing:
“ I was a little surprised at our performance downwind, but not totally surprised. I have to say I was uncertain. I did not know how we would rank against them. I felt quite confident in stronger breezes and less confident in lighter breezes and honestly did not know the boundary between those. Yesterday was a very difficult sailing day with short puffs of wind strength and changes of wind direction. It certainly made sailing the boat quite difficult. The strength was obviously enough for us to gain a lead upwind and we probably got a little lucky downwind from the top mark, and carrying the breeze inshore and that probably exaggerated it somewhat.”
“ Even though we had tried to sort of crudely measure the performance of Alinghi, but we did not know it, and that is why I say there was some uncertainty. We had reasonable confidence we would be faster upwind.”

Rolf Vrolijk (NED) Chief Designer Alinghi (SUI):
"I think if we get conditions we would like to have, we probably can be competitive. We're for sure hoping to see another race maybe in different conditions and anther setup of our boat and hopefully be competitive."

A day of reflection or re-moding or rest?

2010-02-13 14:28:00

But it is a full day for both Alinghi and the BMW ORACLE Racing teams. For BMW ORACLE Racing there is no room for complacency and CEO Russell Coutts warned yesterday there it was too early to draw many conclusions from their Race 1 win yesterday. Similarly both Ernesto Bertarelli (SUI) and chief designer Rolf Vrolijk (NED) emphasised yesterday that they would take time to analyse the data from yesterday’s race before planning how they would try to optimise Alinghi 5 better for tomorrow’s scheduled Race 2.
Both Bertarelli and Vrolijk pointed out that the catamaran was moded for much lighter winds than they encountered during Race 1 yesterday, and the technical team have been seen working hard since early this morning.

Weather forecasts for tomorrow point to a scenario not dissimilar to Friday’s with an early offshore breeze from the NNE backing right round to the SW with 7-8 knots of average windspeed expected around midday.

The Race 2 course is the 39 miles Deed of Gift triangle course of three legs of equal length 13 miles. Start sequence is around 1000hrs.

Ernesto Bertarelli (SUI), team president and helmsman Alinghi (SUI): “We will replay the race and see if we can mode the boat slightly differently. I think these boats sail very differently in different conditions. There is still a race to go. In more breeze we will be pushing the limit of what this boat can do. In less breeze maybe we have more of a chance.”

Russell Coutts (NZL) CEO and afterguard BMW ORACLE Racing Team (USA):
“ I think it is early days. I said before the series that you wont be able to draw conclusions from the first few minutes of these races….but how about that wing….?? It looked pretty good from where I was sitting today. I think the team did a good job. The guys on board sailed a really nice race, pretty much faultless. They had a few problems at the start, that can happen in these boats, but we are very, very happy with where we are, but we are only a tiny way into this series now. There is so much more work to do. We know we are up against the best team out there and we are certainly not going to take our foot off the throttle. We are going to try and improve our performance further.”

They said....quotes from the press conferences

2010-02-12 22:07:00

Quotes:

BMW ORACLE Racing Team:
James Spithill (AUS) skipper/helm BMW ORACLE Racing Team (USA):
“Obviously it was quite exciting at the start. We were able to get a piece of them in the entry and that is something we had been thinking about for quite some time, and it started to set up to look like we might be able to get a penalty on them, so I pushed it pretty hard in there. Obviously that left us pretty close to them and we then we had a hard time slowing the boat down. We were in a pretty controlling position then, as time went on through we got ourselves stuck in irons, but also I want to say well done to Alinghi, they did a good job getting out from there.”
“ We still have a lot to learn. It kind of showed today that we aren’t at race level preparation that we are kind of used to in these campaigns. But it was an exciting start with plenty of action.”

Larry Ellison (USA) team founder and afterguard BMW ORACLE Racing Team (USA):
“ I think my emotions started when it looked like we were going to race in three and a half knots of breeze. Russell and I were on the boat and we were told that we might be sailing in 20 minutes then we had the call to get as many people off the boat and as much stuff as possible off the boat to sail as light as possible, because there was a very, very light breeze. I had to get off the boat and so did Russell. And so we sailed with a minimum crew. So I think it is more stressful to watch than to sail.”

Russell Coutts (NZL) CEO and afterguard BMW ORACLE Racing Team (USA):
“ I think it is early days. I said before the series that you wont be able to draw conclusions from the first few minutes of these races….but how about that wing….??

"It looked pretty good from where I was sitting today. I think the team did a good job. The guys on board sailed a really nice race, pretty much faultless. They had a few problems at the start, that can happen in these boats, but we are very, very happy with where we are, but we are only a tiny way into this series now. There is so much more work to do. We know we are up against the best team out there and we are certainly not going to take our foot off the throttle. We are going to try and improve our performance further.”

Larry Ellison (USA) team founder and afterguard BMW ORACLE Racing Team (USA):
“ The piece of kit we are most proud is the wing.”
“Today I did say that sailing is a lot harder than running a software company!”

Russell Coutts (NZL) CEO and afterguard BMW ORACLE Racing Team (USA):
“I think it is just way too early to draw too many conclusions. We are only one race into the series. We will see at the end of the series in terms of the relative values of the wing.”

James Spithill (AUS) skipper/helm BMW ORACLE Racing Team (USA):
“To be honest I think we carried a bit of pressure down, I think we carried it down the lane. It was one of those things, I think, where the boat in the lead was always gaining. Having said that I think that JK (tactician John Kostecki) did a really nice job, he absolutely nailed it on the downwind leg. Full credit to him and the weather team.”

“It was very very shifty, very very puffy.”
“It was certainly good to see the guys under pressure like that because it did not really phase them one bit. They all just got straight back into what they were supposed to do and that is sailing the boat fast.”

Alinghi(SUI)

Brad Butterworth (NZL) skipper/tactician Alinghi (SUI):
“We tried to keep the boats apart with having the bottom pin offset but it was not actually set up that well, and we thought we had just done enough but obviously not. But that really did not have any reflection on who won the race. It made some interesting stop and start, in irons and going backwards, something we’d never done on multihulls.”

Ernesto Bertarelli (SUI), helmsman and team president Alinghi (SUI):
"For sure at the start after the penalty it felt good they were stopped we could gybe and start. The wind changed quite rapidly. We had six or seven knots during the pre start and right off the start we were surprised with the wind coming in so strong, so quickly, 12 knots, but we thought we were doing good. But they caught up. We had to make a sail change which slowed us, but they were fast today and the wing seems to be quite a weapon. "

Brad Butterworth (NZL) skipper/tactician Alinghi (SUI):
"They certainly showed how fast they can get their boat going. They could not have come off the line in a worse position and they ended up in a very strong position. When you are sitting in front of them and they sail up and around you, that is speed."

Ernesto Bertarelli (SUI), helmsman and team president Alinghi (SUI):
"Actually we had too much sail area for the most part of the race. We did not have the set up we would have liked to have had. There was a bit more wind than we expected, so I don’t think sail area would have made much of a difference. It does, I think, show that the wing is quite versatile in many different conditions, but I am not sure sail area would have made much of a difference."

Ernesto Bertarelli (SUI), helmsman and team president Alinghi (SUI):
"I have absolutely no regrets and no frustration. Actually I quite enjoyed myself on the water today. It’s racing, you win, you lose that is part of the game. We gave everything we have got over the last two and a half years. So there there is nothing to be frustrated about or ashamed about. Again, the Cup is not over. We still have one race to go. They have to cross the line, finish the race and score two points."

Ernesto Bertarelli (SUI), helmsman and team president Alinghi (SUI):
“ I tell you, when you are in my position with the ten years that are behind and the team I have and the opportunity to race one more, or maybe two more races in the America’s Cup, you can’t call any day a hard day in the America’s Cup. They are all good days. Today it just happened they were faster, they sailed a good race.”
“ We lost and I learned over the years that losing is part of enjoying sailing and going racing.”

Jacques Taglang

2010-02-12 21:35:00

Could you first explain what the word "modern" means and describe a bit more the two boats you mention here ?

The concept of the first multihulls dates back more than 2000 years and comes to us from the Polynesians. The modern multihulls for pleasure really started their development around the end of the 19th century. The first catamaran of Nathaniel G Herreshoff Amaryllis was built in 1876 but compared to modern criteria it was pretty basic. The beams were rigid, it did not have any daggerboards and only one rudder and the leeward float submerged for much of the time.

But since then Herreshoff set in chain the development of the modern catamarans, with the beam structure and other features progressing. As for the trimaran (the word invented by Victor Tchetchet from maran of cata- and tri for three) it was a vital part of the race for speed at all costs.

Who were the key innovators and inventors?

J. Taglang : "If Herreshoff had lived today then he would surely belong to one of the design teams here. He was a visionary and a genius, and I am not afraid to use the word. He did not draw his boats, he made half hulls and then charged his foremen with building them. He was already conceiving in 3-D. Another example of his genius, in 1891 he invented the modern centerboard where the weight of the crew is used as ballast, refining the keel and ballast. He was also obsessed with light displacement and so did not arrive at the catamaran by chance. Tchechet has more profile as an artist (he drew Pin Up for magazines). But he was also an inventor and innovator and he designed Egg Nog, the first modern which was launched in 1945. The concept fascinated other designers but he only made two. He was also founder of the Multihull Boat Racing Association in 1946.

It seems difficult to hold off and wait for a race on this 33rd edition?

J. Taglang : "But you heard the same conversations in 1903 when people had to wait 30 days until the match took place. Everyone wondered then if it was true the boats would sail."

Jacques Taglang is interested in sailing history without it being his sole focus. He has been interested in the America' s Cup since 1970, when France launched their challenge and since then has written several books on the Cup. He has studied the works of Nathaniel.G Herreshoff and especially the 15 schooners that the American naval architect drew and built. He has just published a book: Mariette and the Herreshoff Schooners

First blood to USA

2010-02-12 17:58:00

The American team, sailing under the flag of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Yacht Club, were quickly able to overturn an early mistake when they were caught flat footed on the wrong side of the start line.

Despite an initial deficit when they crossed the start line of 1 minute and 29 seconds, the trimaran USA, with its massive 68 metres wing sail were able to pass the Defender’s catamaran Alinghi 5 after around 15 minutes of the 20 miles windward leg.

BMW ORACLE Racing Team’s final Race 1 winning margin of 15 minutes and 25 seconds is the biggest in the history of the America’s Cup since the 27th edition in 1988, the last Deed of Gift match, when the USA’s catamaran Stars & Stripes won successive matches against New Zealand’s KZ 1 monohull by 18 mins 15 secs and 21 mins 10 secs.

It is the first time that double America’s Cup winners Alinghi have lost an America’s Cup match race since they were defeated by Emirates Team New Zealand on Monday 25th June 2007.

Then Alinghi went on to win three successive matches to retain the America’s Cup, but now Sunday’s scheduled second race, around the 39 miles Deed of Gift triangle course, of three 13 miles legs, becomes a ‘must win’ for the Defender’s crew.

USA lead at the first mark
By the windward turn of today’s race USA were 3 minutes and 24 seconds ahead and the black and white hulled trimaran broke the finish line in the growing dusk, to record a winning delta of 15 minutes and 25 seconds.

USA, with James Spithill (AUS) steering, managed to immediately inflict a penalty on the Swiss crew when Alinghi 5 entering with no right of way, could not cross ahead of the Challengers just after the entry into the start arena.

Starting at 1435hrs (local) in around 6-7 knots of southerly breeze, the heart stopping opening manoeuvres proved some of the best and worst of match-racing the giant multihulls. Conditions throughout were ideal for the historic first head to head match between the cutting edge, giant multihulls.

While USA were able to catch Alinghi out for tacking in their water, when both were on the wrong side of the start line, USA could not then capitalise.

When the Swiss catamaran was able to peel away with speed to cross within ten or 15 seconds of the start gun, USA were stalled out, unable to get moving back towards the start.

USA showed superior speed and height through much of the upwind leg but it was on the long downwind leg that USA were able to extend most over the catamaran.

A lead of three minutes and 24 seconds at the only turn of the historic Deed of Gift course was increased to somewhere around 12 minutes when Alinghi 5 closed the finish.

The Defender Alinghi did not initially complete their penalty turn correctly, and it took them an additional five minutes to finally unload their penalty.

Provisional Result:
33rd America’s Cup, Race 1.
USA (BMW ORACLE Racing, USA) defeat Alinghi 5 (Alinghi, SUI)

Provisional deltas
Start | Windward | Finish
Alinghi 1:29
BMW ORACLE Racing 3:24 15:25

James Spithill (AUS), BMW ORACLE Racing Skipper-helm

On the pre- start: “We did a pretty nice job we were able to get the penalty and really had them on the ropes. But we got locked in to windward and tried to tack out but had a bit of a fumble and got stuck in the breeze. It didn't turn out the way I wanted it to! But leading up to that, the guys did a great job of putting us in a very powerful position.”

On the boat speed: “I always thought if we were able to fly a hull we'd be faster upwind, but I was genuinely surprised downwind.”

On the second half of the race: “For the downwind sail combination, the trimmers and weather guys made a good call. We decided to run with the Code 0 downwind and it was definitely the sail. JK (tactician John Kostecki) and Matteo (Navigator Matteo Plazzi) did a great job of getting us on the layline.”

On his feelings on the day: “This was one of the hardest days I've had on the boat with the pressure and direction changes. But all in all it was a good day. I'm sure there are some improvements we can make, but obviously it was great.”

On needing one more win: “We're taking each race as it comes... There is stuff we can do to improve. Obviously downspeed we need some practice! We're excited to get this one in. It's full credit to the guys. For the shore guys and the guys who got it ready for us, today was a day where everything was great on the boat and that was really key for us as well.”

Race 1 Key points from Sebastien Destremeau.

2010-02-12 17:35:00

Despite the starting line being heavily pin biased, Alinghi on port did not cross in front of USA on starboard - When Alinghi realized this they had to quickly give way to USA. James Spithill lined up Ernesto Bertarelli beautifully and caught Alinghi tacking in USA’s water. Penalty on the Swiss boat however a few seconds before the start, James Spithill lost control of his boat allowing Alinghi to sail away.

To the surprise of many observers, Alinghi seems to be less stable than USA going upwind.
The American boat with her huge wingsail develops more power allowing the middle hull to stay a few centimeters above the water and stay there. Meanwhile Alinghi windward hull is going up and down in the light air at the beginning of the race.

As soon as the wind picked up a little to the low teens, Alinghi looked more alive and can keep up with the American boat or even seemed a touch faster at times.

USA increasing their lead.

2010-02-12 16:22:00

USA leading

2010-02-12 15:19:00

USA managed to inflict a penalty immediately on entry to the start box when Alinghi could not cross them, but USA were then caught flat footed as Alinghi peeled away back to the start line. Alinghi crossed the start around 1 minute and 45 seconds or 650 metres ahead of USA, but by 15 minutes into the race the challenger, USA, was able to the current cup holders. Since then there has been no very significant difference in boat speed.

Crews line up

2010-02-12 09:40:00

Friday 12th February 2010

Alinghi 5 Crew List

Piet van Nieuwenhuijzen (NED), Bow 1
Curtis Blewett (CAN), Bow 2
Jan Dekker (RSA/FRA), Bow 3
Rodney Ardern (NZL),Pitman
Simon Daubney (NZL), Trimmer upwind
Nils Frei (SUI), Trimmer downwind
Warwick Fleury (NZL), Mainsail trimmer
Pierre-Yves Jorand (SUI), Traveller
Ernesto Bertarelli (SUI), Helmsman
Brad Butterworth (NZL), Tactician
Murray Jones (NZL), Strategist
Juan Vila (ESP), Navigator
Loïck Peyron (FRA), Floater
Peter Evans (NZL), Pre-start

BMW ORACLE Racing Team Crew List

Brad Webb (NZL), Bowman
Simone de Mari (ITA), Pitman
Ross Halcrow (NZL), Jib Trimmer
Dirk de Ridder (NED), Wing Sail Trimmer
Joey Newton (AUS), Wing Sail Caddy
John Kostecki (USA), Tactician
James Spithill (AUS), Skipper/Helmsman
Matteo Plazzi (ITA), Navigator
Thierry Fouchier (FRA), Aft Pit
Matthew Mason (NZL), Mast

Alinghi sail with 13 or 14 whilst BMW ORACLE Racing present a crew of 10. The variable with Alinghi is Peter Evans (NZL) who is named in the line up, but works pre-start, helping formulate and communicate the start plan and final weather strategy. He may then get off the boat before the 5 minutes, preparatory signal.

All systems go?

2010-02-12 09:11:00

At 0900hrs there was no sign of the AP flag and so that means they will head to the race area and try for a start, no earlier than a midday start.
Alinghi docked out at 0845hrs local time this morning in perfect sunshine and a light 5-6 knots breeze around the Marina Juan Carlos 1 and BMW ORACLE Racing Team’s dock out show was in full swing.
The planned race area should be with the committee boat positioned at 39.50.00N/000.07.00 which places the start line, so approximately 7 miles off Burriana, which is just to the south of Castellon. Thus they are setting up for a SW’ly breeze.
Harold Bennett (NZL) Principal Race Officer reported from the committee vessel this morning: “There appears to be a window of opportunity and so we are heading out to see if we can take advantage of it.”

Friday the third. Pt 1?

2010-02-11 20:02:00

Even around the Marina Juan Carlos 1 the flags were stiffened by the wind through most of the day. The cool February breezes reached more than 30 knots at times.

Hopes are high that Race 1 will start tomorrow, but for all of the waiting that has already been part of what promises to be an historic 33rd America’s Cup match, neither the premium placed on patience nor the bracing temperatures have cooled the sense of anticipation, nor made any clearer what might happen when the two giant multihulls finally meet up.

Debate ebbs and flows about every aspect of the Race 1, from the simple binary answer – who will win, right through to the detail of changes to the match racing rules to accommodate these giant speedsters.

The hiatus has allowed crew members from both the defender Alinghi (SUI) and the challenger BMW ORACLE Racing Team to drip feed technological information as well as their perception of how Race 1 might develop.

In an instructive media seminar Ed Baird (USA), helmsman when Alinghi won the America’s Cup in 2007 for the second time, said today that a close race in these multihulls might be one with somewhere between three or four minutes at the first mark, and such a margin could be easily won or lost on the downwind leg.
Factor in the fact that so much ground is lost in manoeuvres, that conventional covering (blanketing your opponent with the wind shadow from your sails) is not really possible, all-in-all a ‘whole new mentality’ he warned.
Baird in effect said that, downwind is the new upwind.
Downwind these giant multihulls are sailing so quick that the apparent wind they generate is only 5-6 degrees different to that when they are racing upwind.

Dirk De Ridder (NED) who is in charge of the trim of BMW ORACLE Racing Team’s huge 223 ft (68m) wing which took 150,00 man hours to build, explained some of the differences between his job with the solid foil and the equivalent soft sail. He controls the wing with a conventional traveller system which is lead to a winch, and a hydraulic systems powered by a small engine which controls the shape of the wing. The two element wing is comparatively straightforward, he explained, with nine hinges between the main wing element and the aft flap.
The construction of the wing itself is especially high tech, but De Ridder revealed that his controlling key pad system is nothing more or less than an ‘idiot proof’ off-the-shelf garage door remote operating system.

Sir Richard Branson, the British entrepreneur who last year made an attempt at the Transatlantic Record was a visitor to the America’s Cup site, touring the Alinghi base, meeting up with Mike Sanderson CEO of Britain’s TeamOrigin America’s Cup syndicate.

Quotes:
Harold Bennett (NZL) Race Director and Principal Race Officer: “There is a strong wind overnight which the models are saying will probably drop during the early morning. There may be a window for us in the afternoon. We may see the seas flatten out a lot earlier, but we will be out early to have a look and we will give it a fair chance tomorrow.”

Ed Baird (USA) sailing team member Alinghi: "The idea (of the offset start box entry mark ) is to not immediately get into fight with one another. They want the fight to be on the race course. Both teams have agreed this is a great way for the race to start so we don’t have the two boats racing towards at great speeds and risking a mistake where they might destroy some of the equipment.
With this deal whoever enters on port in the first race, which is going to be us, will be downwind of the starboard entry boat and they should cross."
"There is not a lot of strategy (in the approach and entry to the start box area). You have to get over and play the game from the right hand side. The question is whether you want to be to the right or the left of your opponent. So what you are going to see is a crossing."
" We have met with the umpires. They are amazingly impressed with the equipment and they recognise the limitations on being able to manoeuvre the boats in close quarters situations. They don’t want to see close situations, like we saw before, where the boats were two metres apart. They don’t want to see that."

"Honestly we expect that the boats will not be together very much. The important part is the start, that the umpires can see what is going on but on the open course it would be a real surprise to see engagement. It is a different mentality of sailing because the boats slow down so much when they tack. Your covering option is not effective like it is in monohulls."

" The teams have agreed that it a team member accidentally falls off the boat they can be picked up, the umpires are there, the security boats are there, our own chase boats are there. And any of them can pick him up. The sailboat communicates with the chase boat and the committee boat and decides if they want that person put back on to the sail boat. He is put back on by the team’s chase boat and there is no penalty."

Matthew Mason (NZL) mast BMW ORACLE Racing: “There are probably going to be two different philosophies about it pre start. I know that Jimmy is pretty fired up about it. The five minutes is going to go very fast. They have the offset entry for the port entry boat. But there is a chance that starboard entry boat could catch the port entry even though they have that offset. And using a downwind sail on the entry is an option. And I know that if we have the chance we will be entering with a downwind sail and trying to get a piece of them and engaging pre-start. That’s our plan.”

Dirk De Ridder (NED) wing trimmer BMW ORACLE Racing: “I have four functions on hydraulics to operate the wing and the traveller which is on a winch. We started off high tech with a high tech with a remote wireless fittings, but there is so much carbon between me and the receiver that it did not quite work. So we ended up Mark Sheffield (GBR) went in and bought a stock standard garage door opener which is now hard wired to the computer and is now pretty idiot proof. It has eight buttons, four on and four off and so far so good. It was an example of something where we could spend an enormous amount of time and money, say, flicking on a fancy screen but this is idiot proof and it works really well.
“ I think if you ask every designer of ours that has worked on the wing they will tell you the same thing, in theory. The wing we have built is basically a very simple two element wing, although the way they have built it and the materials are very high tech. The actual concept is relatively simple.
It has a front element which also holds the structural mast and we have the flap element and by offsetting those two you get an angle of attack on the front element and camber over the whole wing which gives you the driving force and lift coefficient that you need to go forwards.
I think, is it more high tech than Alinghi? I don’t think it is more high tech than Alinghi. It is a different way of achieving the same goal. We took a gamble going with the wing and it has come out extremely well. We put it up and two hours later we were flying a hull in San Diego.”

Sir Richard Branson (GBR), British entrepreneur, founder of the Virgin brand: “I love all kinds of sport and the America’s Cup is one of the greatest sporting spectacles. There are two giants going to be battling it out over the next few days and obviously it is great to see the boats, incredible boats. And it is great the courts are behind them and we will finally have a battle at sea.”
Asked if the thought there would be racing tomorrow he said:
“ If not tomorrow definitely Sunday. With these kind of boats, very fragile high speed boats then the weather is very important because they could break up.”
Asked if he would be seeing both, he smiled:
“Ernesto for lunch and Larry for dinner…it is great to see them both.”
“I love sailing, sailing small boats. We did try to break the transantlantic sailing record last year with my children and on that occasion we hit big bad winds and the mainsail broke and we had to limp home.”
“ I have just had lunch with Mike Sanderson who is team captain for the British team and he is a great friend. And fortunately they seem to have funding for a British attempt. And so hopefully after this we will see eight nine ten teams particiapating and we will get the America’s Cup team back to how it should be with lots of different nations participating.
We are not at this moment planning to be involved in the America’s Cup. We are here as interested bystanders. It would be good, of course it would. But the British team have got funding drops out who’s to know?”

The virtual countdown

2010-02-11 15:55:00

These were just three of the key issues that faced the team from Virtual Eye, who provide the live 3-D tracking and images, which enhance the experience of following America’s Cup racing.

Now, with less than two days left before racing begins, the virtual experience is ready to for the start gun.

In itself raw boat speed is not as much of a challenge. But getting a consistent signal back to shore from the two multihulls and, more importantly, setting up a reliable infrastructure to make it all work, all within that time frame of the last two and a half weeks since they were asked, represents the biggest challenge since they brought 3-D technology to the America’s Cup in 1992. (see animation video )

“In fact the time frame has been just unbelievable for us. But we have a pretty amazing, small team.” Explains Ian Taylor CEO of Virtual Animation. “What we need to do is to get the X and Y coordinates off the back of these two race boats and then once it is on shore, after that it is all relatively easy. Getting the information off the boats is the key.”

In 2006-7 when they worked at the 32nd America’s Cup here in Valencia they spent two months surveying the race areas on seas and on land sites. That has helped them reduce the lead time necessary but the primary need for time is about being able to rigorously test the system.

The technology on the boats is as it has been in the past, essentially supplying a GPS signal giving position in lat/long, boat speed, pitch and roll, and compass course. But because no one is very sure about how the signal may be decayed at the more extreme heel angles of the multihulls then there will be two transmitters each on Alinghi 5 and BMW ORACLE.

On each race boat there are two tracker units which ensure multiple redundancy, if one feed fails, but also means there are two sets of heading and roll data. That allows accurate heel angles to be transmitted.

Data comes off the boats via their own primary UHF system and it is sent by the cellphone network also because it is there.

There are two strategically positioned repeater boats, each with high powered UHF repeater units. All data is combined there and sent to the station on Monte Picayo. All of the combined data is sent via UHF and by satellite. From Monte Picayo it is comes down by microwave link to the Port America’s Cup control room.

Some of the radio signal network was set up for 2006-7 but it is complemented by use of satellite broadband.
“We are using RF and satellite broadband to get the data ashore. This is the first time we have used satellite for a match race, but have used it for round the world races. It is possible that the satellites will be a luxury and RF will cover the whole area. We have our land station up on Monte Picayo. It does a great job and we are covering 90% of the course off our boats but they are flat and stable.” Says Taylor.

On each race boats
“We have really had to put in everything we can. It is interesting but certainly it is the toughest for everyone who is involved here. The time frame is unbelievable, really.” Concludes Taylor.

Other smaller issues which have been overcome include the lack of information about the boats. To start with this meant the modelers spending time studying photos and on-line videos, but more recently both of the teams have helped with supplying data

And, of course, the modelers – along with the rest of the world – had no real idea of how the two giants would actually look during racing, which sails would be used at what wind angle. But, again, cooperation from the teams should mean the live images should be true to life.

The virtual countdown continues.

Waves sign off Race 1 until Friday

2010-02-10 18:03:00

The first match of the regatta is now scheduled for Friday 12th February with a start sequence pencilled for 1000hrs.
An initial postponement period, signalled last night (Tuesday), extended through this morning with the giant catamaran Alinghi 5 of the Swiss team Alinghi, the holders of the America’s Cup, and the trimaran USA, of the challenger, the American BMW ORACLE Racing Team, both remaining in their respective dock areas.

But at midday the signal flags were were raised over Port America’s Cup’s Varadero building to signal that racing is now held over until Friday.

The swell was estimated at an average of 1.3 metres by one of the competitors’ weather teams. Race officer Harold Bennett (NZL) described the sea state as ‘pretty rugged’.

Both teams, Alinghi and BMW ORACLE Racing, respected the decision taken although BMW ORACLE Racing’s skipper-helm James Spithill (AUS) later reported to a media conference that their crew were keen to go have gone racing in the morning conditions.

French solo round the world racer and multihull specialist Loick Peyron agreed with the decision not to race, saying that the huge multihulls are designed as the Formula 1 racers and should ‘not be rallying the Paris-Dakar’.

Bennett, who is officiating at his third America’s Cup, met the media during the afternoon and gave further information about the difficulty of the task that he and the Race Committee crew face. In previous America's Cup races he was responsible for setting a course of a 3 miles upwind-downwind legs. Here he has over 400 square miles of sea area to cover.

He cautioned, again, that patience will be required before acceptable conditions emerge to allow the first windward-leeward course of two 20 miles legs to be run.

Quotes:

Harold Bennett (NZL), Regatta Director and Principal Race Officer:
“ These are different boats from what we have been used to. And the understanding of them is still a learning curve. Conditions like today? That is interesting. I am not sure they would have done too well with it.”

“The last thing you want to do is see one of these boats break, that is going to hurt someone or even maybe not finish.”
“ There was a lot of seaway and so the prudent thing to do was not too go out too early. Having got to that, around 0830, I thought it was more prudent to go and have a look for ourselves. We went approximately 23.5 to 24 miles off the coast here and that would have given us a windward mark somewhere not too far off the port here. As we got 10 miles off the coast it was getting rather lumpy. We were surfing down some of the waves with the power cat. Once we turned around in the area, starting to have a look at it, there were some pretty big seas. We had the swell from the NE and the wind blowing off the west and that was throwing up some pretty big waves."

"I would have not had a problem with the wind conditions. We were looking at 17-18 knots, I wouldn’t have had a problem with that.”

“This is not the best time of year to be doing this. When it was announced that we were coming to here I said that everyone, the sailors, the public, the press everyone was going to have to be patient, because we had little information about the conditions outside of five or six miles and on Monday we found out about that breeze off the land which will go half way out but not right our. That was a point I made when I was asked. It will be a matter of being patient until we get it right.”

James Spithill (AUS), skipper-helm BMW ORACLE Racing:
“ We were keen to go. We think probably at 10 o’clock there was a window, but having that said that it is very easy to look from the outside. I think Harold Bennett is the right man for the job. I have full trust in Harold. He has a good track record and I would much rather be sailing that running racing.”

“We would be more than happy with conditions this morning, with those waves. We sailed in San Diego with two, two and a half metres. But obviously there are some variables with waves, the period, the direction etc but I think we would have been more than happy this morning. As I said it is not an easy job and I have full faith in Harold and I respect his decisions.”

Loïck Peyron (France), floater Alinghi 5:
“The best conditions are those in which you don’t risk the boat. We are both (teams) agreed on that. There are big waves coming all the way down from France. The conditions were possibly boat breaking. These boats are for Formula 1 racing and you do not take them off to do the Paris-Dakar.”

“ We did a few training races a week ago 20 miles to windward and back and it was perfect. But everyone knew before that this is not exactly the best place to do this.”

“ We did a very nice 20 mile course up and down and also a triangle but that was one time in a month, and it was in S’ly or SE’ly wind, maybe a lot before a low is coming. We had a little right shifts but it was within the official range plus or minus 30 degrees, definitely in the range for both teams.”

“ I have the chance to learn something every day. I love to jump from one boat to another. A year ago I was sailing around the world on my own and here I am sharing with tremendous guys with a lot of different sailing areas, from the Volvo race, from the Cup. For me it is the first time that I have felt the acceleration of a small multihull, like I love to do on the Swiss lakes, like the D35 or the small really light ones, but Alinghi 5 has the power of a big offshore multi and the acceleration of a small multihull. It is the first time I have felt both these two feelings.”

“ It is quite interesting to be at the helm of a boat like this having behind me Mr Butterworth, and in front of me Mr Warwick (Fleury) and Simon (Daubney), stars I have seen in the papers for so many years, and I have to say: “OK guys and now we have to do that….” And so for me that is quite interesting.”

No Racing Today

2010-02-10 12:02:00

A tough one to call

2010-02-10 10:47:00

“ Up to the north there has been this strong north westerly flow, especially in the Ebro Valley last night and further south there is still a reasonable north westerly, but then this morning it has been easing off. And speaking to some of the sailors this morning they were saying that it has been dropping off quicker than they expected. And then the problem just now is a bubble of light winds around Valencia at the moment, in the middle of the plains.”
“ The worry just now is that the wind could go right round to the SE’ly by the middle of the afternoon. So by 3-4 o’clock in the afternoon, the worry is that could have gone all the way round.”
“So they could have to either start it in this NW’ly flow or otherwise wait for it to settle down from the SE.”
“ I would say the situation is pretty tricky. It is a very tough one to call.”

On Hold

2010-02-10 09:36:00

Three hours must be allowed between the lowering of the AP, ‘postponed’ flag ashore and the warning signal to commence the race countdown.
Race officer Harold Bennett explained that this morning’s postponement is principally due to the leftover seas kicked up by the strong northerly breezes of yesterday and last night.

Harold Bennett (NZL) Principal Race Officer:
“ There is breeze outside but it it’s not so much the wind it is the leftover wave out there which could be the problem. But we have to go out and look at it.”
“ We have two forecasts. One is saying we will have an offshore breeze, another is saying an onshore breeze and there could show some convergence on that. We will have to wait and see.”
“During the practice races we had conditions which were OK, but today we have conditions which are different again.”

Postponed ashore: No Race 1 start before midday Wednesday

2010-02-09 21:03:00

Harold Bennett (NZL) Principal Race Officer explained:

“We have issued an amendment that there will be no signal before midday tomorrow (Wednesday).”
“We will make a further assessment at 0830hrs in the morning. So we will have a look at what it is like early in the morning. We will take a check then.”
“ There are a lot of strong winds forecast overnight and offshore and that is going to throw up a swell. So it is more the sea-state that is going to be of concern. Until we see what the sea state is we are not going to guess.”
“ I don’t want to put the boats out there if they are not going to sail. I do not want to put them all the way out there and bring them back without a race.
Talking with the weather guys from both teams they agree that this is what we are going to get, so it is a fairly easy decision to make.”

Race 1, A Big Wednesday?

2010-02-09 19:17:00

With winds of over 25 knots offshore today neither the Challenger BMW ORACLE Racing nor the Defender Alinghi chose to practice, rather than risk their crew and their cutting edge craft in any way prior to the first of the best-of-three race series.
As prescribed by the 1887 Deed of Gift which principally governs this regatta, the Race 1 course remains the same, of 40 miles total distance comprising one upwind leg and one downwind leg. The deed also rules that there should be one day off in between racing days, hence the reason racing was not scheduled for today Tuesday.

Reports suggest that the two teams were configuring their craft for the stronger northerly airs which are being drawn down to Valencia by a low pressure system towards the east.

Cutting edge technology is immediately apparent on both Alinghi 5 and BMW ORACLE 5.
At a media briefing today BMW ORACLE Racing skipper-helmsman James Spithill (AUS) described the ‘sunglasses’ developed by the defence industry which allow him a permanent view of the many different instrumentation displays. A verbal request to his navigator scrolls to the output he wishes, including the many load sensors, the rudder angle and target speeds and performance analysis.
Similarly, the crewman who controls the power of the 223 foot (68m) solid wing sail, relies on information fed from wind sensors on the sail output to a small PDA on his wrist.

For all that, Spithill warned that basic seamanship was still a primary concern, pressing home a reminder that he would not push the giant trimaran too close to the limit. And while the teams may have spent considerably on technology, both have also spent many hours racing and training on a range of smaller performance catamarans as well as offshore multihulls in order to better learn the limits and to fine tune the different sensibilities required for racing these high speed craft.

The leap in technology and fascination with this historic match, as well as the accessibility of real time images and information has almost certainly seen a spike in interest for this 33rd edition. Over 260,000 people logged on around the world to watch Monday’s live coverage of Race Day 1, Monday on www.americascup .com with over 450,000 page views.

Wait 'til Wednesday. Race 1 remains on hold.

2010-02-08 19:15:00

Race officer Harold Bennett (NZL) and the race committee team made considerable efforts to locate a wind which was settled enough and of sufficiently even strength across the proposed 20 miles first leg, but they proved fruitless.

An offshore breeze at times looked promising but it never quite mustered enough strength to spread out to sea to reach the start area. But the difference in the direction of that breeze and the direction of the very gentle air in which the Race Committee sat was considered too great for a fair race.

It proved a frustrating day for all on the waters off Valencia, despite tantalising glimpses of the fantastic technology which promises so much. Everything was in place and operating well for the planned 1000hrs countdown to the historic match up. Live TV streaming from the race course on the internet, for the first time in the America’s Cup, complemented by Virtual Eye 3-D imaging worked well. But the postponement was signalled at 0955hrs this morning.

The different winds ranged between 2 knots and 13 knots, and at times there was 100 degrees of variance between the mean wind direction at the committee boat and the wind direction at the proposed turning buoy. At best there was around 40 degrees of difference.

For the prescribed 20 miles upwind leg the Race Committee need a strong measure of confidence that there will not be a significant wind shift after the start to ensure a fair race.

The adversaries had left their respective bases to huge acclaim in the early morning, between 6.30am and 07.00 am. A Hollywood style production for the BMW ORACLE Racing team sent pulses racing as the Challenger team set off into the very early darkness, while soundtrack to the Defender, Alinghi 5’s departure was fervent alpine cowbells and loud airhorns.

Returning after the postponement both multihulls were making around 15knots in just 5 knots in wind.

Race 1 is now rescheduled for Wednesday 10th with the time gun due at 1000hrs.

Ashore in the America’s Cup Park more than 1000 kids of between three and 10 years old, from ten different local Valencia schools visited to be greeted by King Neptune.

Tomorrow (Tuesday) the America’s Cup Park opens between 1000hrs and 1800hrs.

Quotes:

Harold Bennett (NZL) Principal Race Officer: “It is disappointing of course to get started though the conditions that we expected when we went out this morning just did not eventualise. We sat with next to no wind were we were. It is a real shame.”
“We had no problems from the teams with the decision. I speak to the weather teams from both teams throughout, and with the sailors before we made the decision. They were happy that the decision was the right one.”
“And since we took it there have been no changes that suggest to me that there was any other option.”
“I always knew it was going to be like this.”
“But that’s the game we are in. We have to wait for the next one.”

Ernesto Bertarelli (SUI), president and helmsman Alinghi (SUI): “It was the first time we set out at night to go to the race zone. That lasted two hours it was very special. I was confident we would go racing but from 10am that meteorologists started to say that the chances were reducing. The wind was expected to drop certainly because of the rain which prevented any thermal wind activity. But it was good to have the two boats alongside each other.”

Matteo Plazzi (ITA) navigator BMW ORACLE Racing (USA): “We thought that in the morning it would be light and it would be difficult to race, but we thought there would be a good chance to race in the afternoon.”
“I don’t think anybody thought we should have raced.”
“The weather was complicated for a system of winds that was going through. There were several cells of low pressure developing over the race course area, and so over the 20 miles there was a 100 degree difference from side to side.”
“It would have been impossible to have an upwind leg.”
“It was a good call. Racing today would have been a gamble, and you don’t want to gamble when there are only two points to win or lose.”

Jack Katzfey (AUS/USA), meteo specialist, Alinghi (SUI): “Our forecasts gave from six to nine knotsof wind today but finally the wind was too weak to race. The race committee was right not to start the race. There were two knots on the start line. That is really too little for that the wind to be stable. With five knots you have definitely more chances to have a more regular flow. ”

Chris Bedford (USA) meteo specialist, BMW ORACLE Racing (USA):
“We had a southerly breeze well offshore that was occasionally filtering into the start area,”
“But closer to shore we had a westerly breeze for most of the afternoon. At times it was showing up to 14 knots at the top mark.
“So there was pressure (wind) trying to make it onto the course, but because of these two winds converging, we never had enough breeze over a 20-mile leg to get going… I think the Race Committee did a good job today.”

Race 1 Postponed

2010-02-08 14:13:00

Principal Race officer Harold Bennett (NZL) and his team on the water had made continuous attempts to seek out a breeze which was of sufficient strength and settled enough in direction across the proposed 20 miles windward Leg 1 to allow a fair race to be started.

But, despite their best efforts, the variance at times was over 100 degrees between the gentle breeze at the committee boat some 25 miles offshore, and the planned position of the turning buoy where there was a breeze of around 10-11 knots sometimes.

Race 1 will now be scheduled for Wednesday 10th with the time gun due at 1000hrs.

Crew Lists: Race 1, 33rd America's Cup

2010-02-08 08:50:00

Defender: Alinghi 5 (Alinghi (SUI))
Bowman: Piet van Nieuwenhuijzen (NED)
Midbow: Curtis Blewett (CAN)
Pitman: Rodney Ardern (NZL)
Trimmer upwind: Simon Daubney (NZL)
Trimmer downwind: Nils Frei (SUI)
Mainsail trimmer: Warwick Fleury (NZL)
Traveller: Pierre-Yves Jorand (SUI)
Helmsman: Ernesto Bertarelli (SUI)
Tactician: Brad Butterworth (NZL)
Runner: Murray Jones (NZL)
Navigator: Juan Vila (ESP)
Floater: Jan Dekker (RSA/FRA)
Floater: Loïck Peyron (FRA)
Pre-start: Peter Evans (NZL)

Challenger: USA (BMW ORACLE Racing (USA)):
Bowman: Brad Webb (NZL)
Pitman: Simone de Mari (ITA)
Jib Trimmer: Ross Halcrow (NZL)
Wing Sail Trimmer: Dirk de Ridder (NED)
Wing Sail Caddy: Joey Newton (AUS)
Tactician: John Kostecki (USA)
Skipper/Helmsman: James Spithill (AUS)
Navigator: Matteo Plazzi (ITA)
Aft Pit: Thierry Fouchier (FRA)
Mast: Matthew Mason (NZL)

Here We Go!

2010-02-08 07:11:00

BMW ORACLE Racing left the dock at 0700hrs after a spectacular Hollywood style send off.

Wind prospects for the day appear to be good. Confidence is high that we should see Race 1 of this best-of-three series today. And just as the race crews docked out very early this morning, in preparation for this morning’s start, so too the race management team were heading out on to the water very early.

“Here we go…..”

Principal Race Officer Harold Bennett’s final words as he left his office this morning to go afloat echo the same buzz of excitement and anticipation that is evident everywhere this morning. He headed off to the race area confident that we should see a race today:

“The forecast looks good. There should be a good morning breeze. At this point we could have a SW’ly over the morning with maybe 12-14 kts. But we have to get out there to really look at it.” Said Bennett,

He said he is fairly confident about getting the race under way today, but feels no additional pressure to have the race start at the published time 1006hrs:
“I feel pretty happy about it at the moment, looking at the forecast we have.”

“I will go when it is ready. It is important any time.”

“I hope the breeze cooperates, that is all I would like.”

Russell Coutts (NZL) CEO and afterguard BMW ORACLE Racing (USA): "It has been a long time. We are ready to go racing. There are a few rain showers going through and that is going to bend the wind. It'll be a day with bands of pressure and it will be important to always be going towards the best pressure."

Murray Jones (NZL), runner Alinghi (SUI): “There's about 5-12 knots forecast. We'll see when we get out there. It's always changing here in Valencia and it depends exactly where we are out there. We'll line-up and see how we go.”

Ready for action

2010-02-07 17:36:00

The two giant multihulls, with their towering rigs, seemed to defy the laws of physics as they moved swiftly across the seas off Valencia in, at times, next-to-no breeze.
If ever there was a stark reminder of how great the jump in technology and potential boat speeds ushered by this 33rd edition for the world’s oldest sporting trophy, then it was evident this afternoon while tens of thousands visitors enjoyed the inauguration festivities ashore.

The clash of these giant multihulls promises to be one of the most memorable in the history of the America’s Cup.

The time signal for the first race, which will comprise one 20 mile beat to windward and a 20 mile run to the finish, is scheduled for 1000hrs (local time), six minutes before the start gun.
The wind forecasts are promising: light to moderate breezes which would be enough to get Race 1 under way

BMW ORACLE Racing gain starboard tack entry. America’s Cup Park full of life.
The America’s Cup Park was thronged full of life this afternoon, as tens of thousands of local Valencians and many visitors turned out for the inauguration festivities.

On the toss of a coin between the commodores of the Defender yacht club, Switzerland’s Société Nautique de Genève, and the Challenger, the USA’s Golden Gate Yacht Club BMW ORACLE Racing, the priority to enter the start area for Race 1 with right of way, on Starboard tack, went to BMW ORACLE Racing.

The Challenger American trimaran, USA, the first to be seen racing in the history of the America’s Cup, will be steered by James Spithill (AUS) and will be using a rigid wing sail of around 70 metres high.

The Swiss Defender’s catamaran, Alinghi 5, will be steered by team president Ernesto Bertarelli (SUI) and Loïck Peyron (FRA), as the team bid to win the America’s Cup for the third consecutive time.

This multihull match is all new territory for the America’s Cup. The craft can sail at two and a half to three times the wind speed. No one can predict exactly what will happen when the two giant protagonists square up in the start area. In conventional match racing the immediate goal is to inflict a penalty on the opposition.
Such penalty turns, if the opposition is sailing away at 20 knots, could be doubly expensive.

Security measures are in place to maximize the safety on the race course. The start line is expected to be somewhere around 800 metres long, depending on the wind strength.

Visitors to the inauguration festivities this afternoon enjoyed a display of local mascletá firecrackers.

Funds were raised for Haiti with proceeds from the sale of a huge Spanish paella for 5000 people, Swiss raclette and American hamburgers all combining to help.

Quotes:
Harold Bennett (NZL) Principal Race Officer:
His thoughts on the weather for Race 1 day:
“At the moment it looks like a very light offshore breeze early, which will fade away and begins to look like coming from the south. That was an earlier forecast and so we don’t have a straight answer on that just now.
Does he have clear ideas in his mind about what the wind limits might be?
“We will take the day as it comes and work it our from there.”
Is there any step change in technology they are using for race management since 32nd Americas’ Cup:
“I think probably there is no much of an advance in terms of technology in what we are using, we use the same methods as before.”
What does he think we will see at the start?
“At the start? I hope we see two boats get in, entered and get away from the start cleanly and have a race. That is what I am hoping to see. Whether they mix it up or not I don’t know.”

Alain Gautier (FRA), Alinghi, on the start: “The priority boat will try to put a penalty on the other. And on these boats that can be very expensive.”
“It is less important to break the start line on the gun than to start well launched with speed and without a penalty.”

James Spithill, (AUS), BMW ORACLE Racing: “It is all new to us. The boats have completely different characteristics and obviously we only have the one boat each and so we have not really been able to go out there and try as hard as we usually do. I think it will be interesting. I think they have tried to set up the start line so there will be no ‘dial-up’. I think we will see the boats turn back quite early and really try to fight for the side. The first cross is so important in match racing, however I think this time you really want o be going the right way. To do any manoeuvre in a multihull is quite expensive. I am quite excited myself, because I just can’t wait to see what happens. "

One of the many new features of this second edition of the America's Cup to take place in Valencia will be the live, direct broadcasting of the racing on www.americascup.com. This has required considerable logistical and technical steps to be taken to achieve this landmark. As a result it will be possible to follow the racing live, the battle between the two giant multihulls. The live images will be complemented by audio commentary in English, as well as the text comments in Spanish, French or English, as well as the 3-D Virtual Eye which transmits in real time, the gains and losses, speeds, compass heading.
Visitors to the official web site will also be able to access videos, photographic images, and information on the history of the America's Cup. Also there is real time coverage and information on Twitter and Facebook, also new for the first time this year.
Over 900 journalists from 37 different countries have requested accreditation to follow the event in situ. That includes more than 370 Spanish media, more than 130 Italian, more than 60 Swiss, and hundreds more from the USA, France, Germany, the UK, New Zealand, Russia, China, Argentina, Singapore and the Ukraine.

The weather view for Monday

2010-02-07 17:31:00

“There are two significant things about the weather picture.”

“ One, is that there is only very light winds and the other one is that the (cold) front within the warm sector means there will be lots of cloud cover. That is good because there will not be a sea breeze. The sea breeze would shut off any breeze rather than help it develop.”

“The idea of us being in a warm sector on Monday has been with us for a while, for three days now. But a little isobar has developed in the area with a big ‘turn’ in it, and that means the breeze could really vary depending how it is placed at race time. So I still think it is a bit up in the air.”

“ But the things we can take from this are twofold: It is not going to blow dogs off chains (ie windy), so there will probably be racing, and there will not be a sea breeze. So what breeze there is will be gradient, and should be reasonably steady.”

“ Looking at windspeeds, tomorrow they are looking at around 10 knots, but maybe we have gone up from the lower end of the scale, but the key thing really is that we should be within the 'limits' which have been ‘set’, whatever they might be."

Matthew Sheahan, weather expert of Yachting World

BMW Oracle Racing enter on starboard

2010-02-07 13:51:00

Tens of thousands of visitors swarmed the signature Veles e Ventes building and the surrounding area of the America’s Cup Park to enjoy the festivities on an otherwise tranquil Sunday afternoon of mild temperatures.

Race director Harold Bennett (NZL) set the coin spinning in the air, watched by Pierre-Yves Firmench (SUI), commodore of the Société Nautique de Genève, the yacht club of the Defender of the 33rd America’s Cup and Marcus Young (USA), commodore of the Golden Gate Yacht Club of San Francisco.

The American team will therefore take what is commonly held to be the initial advantage, entering with right of way, on starboard tack.

On the water there was scarcely enough wind to create ripples, but in the distance the lack of breeze was scarcely a worry for one of the giant multihulls, which with its towering rig still paced the horizon, making best use of the final hours of practice and tuning before racing is scheduled to begin tomorrow morning around 1000hrs

The opening festival was brought to a noisy crescendo with a barrage of mascleta, firecrackers which increased in size and noise.

Pushing the boundaries

2010-02-07 12:56:00

Settling onboard has taken some time, even for the highly experienced team members of both teams. In the early days, they were hesitant to push too hard because they just didn’t know the boundaries of their own machines.

Initially, alarms were fitted aboard the yachts to provide audible warning when they were getting closer to breaking point but with practice, fears started to wear off and the crew became more familiar with the enormous speed potential of their own boat.

The most surprising feeling was the responsiveness of such large boats and apparently both USA and Alinghi’s teams are now more comfortable about the sheer power developed by their yacht. They learned new techniques and are now enthusiastic to go sailing every day.

Meanwhile, time remains unstoppable and the watch is ticking away... Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock

With just a few days to go before the first race of the 33rd America’s Cup, you can feel the pressure building in Valencia. But in any America’s Cup, time is of the essence. And there is not a lot time left until these two go head-to-head, winner takes all, the best of three races.

At USA and Alinghi compounds, the amount of work achieved over the last few weeks is massive ... However with the clock ticking it seems like the job list is growing even faster.

After thousands of hours spent on putting every single piece of the giant puzzle together, the sailing team will be left on their own comes Monday morning. An elite selection of some of the best sailors in the world will be under pressure and adrenalin will certainly be pumping when the gun fires on day one.

On February 8th, both boats will be ready for the first clash of the 33rd America’s Cup Match.

Sebastien Destremau

24

2010-02-07 10:57:00

Launched last night with the mast rigged this morning, Alinghi 5 is the centre of attention for the journalists and photographers in the media centre which is immediately adjacent to the Alinghi base. The team are making their final preparations and adjustments, last chance to check their timings and refine possible sail choices for tomorrow’s 40 miles windward-leeward. Today is the last chance to make these decisions, the line is drawn today and tomorrow it is for real.

The atmosphere is the same in the BMW ORACLE Racing camp. The big trimaran USA 17 left the dock this morning around 1000hrs. One of their reported concerns is not so much on the water, sailing with the 70 metres high wing, but manoeuvring it around the base and stepping it when there is any wind.

But winds are light, as they are predicted to be again tomorrow, with five to six knots from the W to NW.

33rd Americas Cup Owners Press Conference

2010-02-06 18:04:00

The two times America’s Cup winning team owner, who will helm the giant catamaran Alinghi 5 along with Frenchman Loick Peyron, re-stated the need for a measure of prudence after the start gun goes for Race 1 of the best of three series.

The winter conditions need to be taken account of. As well as getting the balance right, trying to ensure the maximum reliability of Alinghi 5, Bertarelli also warned that spectators on the water need to remember that this is winter and the conditions off Valencia can change quickly.

Bertarelli said that pre-regatta nerves are an essential part of his psychological drive to be successful, and that many of the feelings of excitement are the same as July 2007 when Alinghi triumphed.

The level of media interest, he underlined, is comparable to the 32nd America’s Cup Match, with some 600 media accredited already.

Over 100 media attended the press conference in the Port America’s signature Veles e Vents building.

Ernesto Bertarelli (SUI) owner and helmsman Alinghi:
“The weather is quite different from when we left in July 2007, but I think the excitement is the same. I think there is about 600 accreditations which is just as much as last time and so there is a certain interest in this historic race.”
“ We are all at the Alinghi team looking forward to the regatta putting forward our best.”

On the need for nerves: “Every time you go to battle you have to feel nervous. Anytime I have gone casual to anything I was not my best,. I think adrenaline and a bit of excitement is good, for anything you do and especially for a competition like this.”

On BMW ORACLE Racing: “BMW ORACLE Racing is a formidable team. They have brought an impressive yacht with impressive technology. It is going to be very interesting to see two very different yachts trying to achieve the same thing.”

On the need for reliability and safety: “ In order to win you have to finish. Both teams over the last few weeks have been able to gauge our reliability. We have had problems. It is a bit like the beginning of the season in the Formula 1 grand prix. All is very good when the teams are here testing in Valencia. You go round the track once or twice and you put a good time. But on the Sunday of the first race you have to go around the track 72 times. It is a bit the same thing. We have completed the course a few times. It is a long course, 40 miles, we have done it in between two and half to three hours which is a lot of ground to cover. If the wind comes from the shore, which is what it is looking like, then the start is going to be almost half way between here and Ibiza. I think everyone should be careful, especially spectators who are on the water. Remember we are not in the summer, but in the winter.”

On why he is helming Alinghi: “Some other reasons are those that brought me to sailing, multihull sailing, speed and perfecting these boats on the lakes. My contribution this time has been very different. Possibly I have had more involvement with this campaign than ever before. My steering I think is a good thing.”
“ It happens that I can steer a multihull, and I have brought on board since we have clear indication that we were going to sail multihulls those which we have competed against on the lake, those who I felt were the strongest competitors Alain Gautier and Loïck Peyron.”

On this America’s Cup: “ I think this America’s Cup will be remembered for whatever reason. I hope for the good reasons and it is going to be a formidable America’s Cup because of the boats and the technology and possibly because it is a DoG match and once in a while you have one. The other thing is that we should be careful in not discouraging other people who want to participate.”

To see the full press conference, click here

Official opening ceremony tomorrow
Sunday 7th February sees the official opening ceremony of the 33rd America’s Cup, starting at 1300hrs in the heart of Port America’s Cup, by the Veles et Vents building.

The opening ceremony will include the draw for which side the competing yachts have to enter the start area for Race 1, with the time gun scheduled for 1000hrs Monday.

A huge crescendo is promised with a mascletá, a local celebration of firecrackers with the largest reckoned to be 750kilos of gunpowder.

And from 1400hrs the America’s Cup will have the UN GRAIN for Hairt – the cooking of a giant paella with the proceeds all going to relieve suffering in Haiti.

3, 2, 1...

2010-02-05 20:14:00

With the clock counting down, less than three days remain until the scheduled first start of the best-of-three races match.

The substantial media contingent visiting the consecutive evening briefings for Alinghi and BMW ORACLE Racing heard from team owners, design chiefs and key afterguard members - some with many America’s Cup successes – but the universal feeling is that they cannot now wait to go racing, to take their cutting edge, giant multihulls racing.

With limited knowledge of each other’s craft and no actual racing experience to draw on, and such huge technological advances predictions from either team were thin on the ground, but Alinghi and BMW ORACLE afterguard members both admitted that they felt each craft will have their preferred conditions.

The start, so much a crucial feature of match racing, will be entirely different. Steps have been agreed to minimise any immediate danger when the pair enter the arena. But from the first time gun, it will be all new racing territory as the America’s Cup moves into another new chapter on the water.

Alinghi tactician Brad Butterworth (NZL) confirmed that they can sail Alinghi 5 with between 10 and 16 crew. Team president Ernesto Bertarelli (SUI) said that helming the catamaran will shared between himself and Loïck Peyron (FRA).

BMW ORACLE team founder Larry Ellison (USA) said that he would be unlikely to be on USA in the first race while CEO Russell Coutts (NZL) quipped that he was waiting to hear from helm James Spithill (AUS) whether Coutts would be on board.

Quotes of the day:

Ernesto Bertarelli, Alinghi president and helmsman:
“We are really looking forward to it. As with the last two editions we have done everything that we can to be ready. As of this point there is not much more that we could do. It would always be nice to have a few more days but it would not make much of a difference. I am very proud of the team, of every decision that has been made. We are ready, ready to go.”

Brad Butterworth, Alinghi skipper and tactician:
“It is still the same cut and thrust of the America’s Cup. There is no real difference in terms that you have to go out there and sail well, that part of it, and the intensity that is inside the group, that part of it is very similar, or the same as has been.”

“As a New Zealander, as a Kiwi growing up in New Zealand I never thought I would even dream of sailing the America’s Cup on boats like this. It has been a fantastic journey for me and the other guys on the team who have come through sailing not only multihulls but a lot of us have got monohull experience, but to be able to sail on boats like this, that are cutting edge, to the limit of their design, of the loads that are on them, the speeds which we achieve. Certainly I would not give my spot away!”

Larry Ellison, BMW ORACLE Racing owner and afterguard:
“When I got here I was told we are right at the weight limit and so I was expecting to be on at least on the first two races, we don’t know if there will be a third. But, there is a weight limit and we are right up against the edge of it and so it looks like I’m not going to be on board in the first race. I am disappointed but I don’t want to do anything that would jeopardise our chances to win that race.”

“This is extreme sailing. This is the ‘X’ version of the America’s Cup. It is the limits of technology. These two boats are the fastest sailboats that have ever been built. And they are going to match off one against the other, And I think it is simply the greatest spectacle in sailing history. I am very proud to be part of it. “

Russell Coutts, BMW ORACLE Racing CEO:
“I think it (the outcome) will be very dependent on the wind conditions of the day. It will be very interesting series. Clearly I think Alinghi will be favoured in very light conditions and I think our boat will be favoured with more wind. I think that will change as well with the mode we are sailing, if we are sailing upwind, downwind or reaching. I think that the first five minutes of the first race will be a small indication of what we’ll see.”

Flying high technology

2010-02-05 18:52:00

With the two giant multihulls USA and Alinghi 5 expected to reach speeds of over 30 knots, the outer limit of the race course could be 40 miles offshore, and the possibility of lateral separation of up to 20 miles, then a corresponding step up in the level of technology is required in order to beam the live images back from the race course to the huge global audience.

“Racing further offshore, worst case up to 40 miles, is the big challenge over last time.” Explains Kevin Orwin, the Technical Director on site in Valencia, “ Technically it is very easy to get the pictures back from what is the horizon that we can see, but once we have passed over the horizon we get into a number of technical issues, including how we communicate with our crews so far out.”

“So instead of beaming the signal directly from the helicopters to the shore, which is what we did last time, this time we will have our own fixed wing aircraft, optimally flying above 25,000 feet. For this event we are flying at 27,000 feet.” Explains Orwin, “ The aircraft is a specific plane called Skylink which has been adapted for TV use and has transmit and receive antennas built into the wings, so they are active and are able to pick up the signals and repeat them back to ground.”

When the boats spread out the only way to is to use the fixed wing aircraft to repeat all the signals back to land.

There are microphones on the competing yachts to pick up all the effects. These audio signals are relayed to the helicopters. The camera images and the audio is then transmitted back to the station on top of the Foredeck club.

“It has been quite a challenge in the time frame to get to where we are.”

There are two fixed cameras on each boat with recorders and the footage will taken off once the boats are finished for use in the highlights packages.

SIS TV are doing all the links for TWI have used the Skylink before for covering the likes of marathons, world rally championships, Formula 1.

Skylink takes the broadcast communication and repeats them to the helicopters and camera boats and so they have the production talk-back and can hear everything that is going on.

As well as the helicopter cameras, there are cameras on chase boat, a RIB and also on the committee boat. There are five cameras on the course, including those in the two helicopters, complemented by two panoramic ‘beauty’ cameras up on the Foredeck club.

One of the big logistical challenges is of course the flying time and the distance out to sea. And so a third helicopter is on standby to leapfrog the other. There is a complete extra rig on the third helicopter.

The camera team are among the best sailing specialists in the world, all with comprehensive America’s Cup and round the world race experience.

Meantime the airspace around the huge race arena is restricted.

Winter sea breeze, friend or foe?

2010-02-05 13:59:00

Indeed there are very many weather situations which could nullify any inherent design advantage, particularly in chilly February.

Matthew Sheahan of Yachting World has become a keen observer of the Valencia weather, not only as on site meteo guru all the way through the 32nd America’s Cup, but now from regular visits here to observe the two giants testing and trialling.

One reason Valencia was chosen for the last edition was for its reliable sea-breeze, the thermally generated summer wind.

One common misconception is that in winter, like now, there is no sea breeze. But he warns, that the summer friend may prove to be a winter foe on the race courses for the 33rd America’s Cup

“The first thing is that in winter there is not as much daylight, which means there is not as much time for the land to heat up, and to exert its influence – that is to suck in the air.” Sheahan suggests, “That is a problem in the winter. Whereas in the summer there are very long days with plenty of time for the land to heat up and for the sea breeze to get going. The downside, if you like, is that in the summer the water is warm as well. And to generate a sea breeze you need a difference in temperature, you do not necessarily need it to be hot. You just need a difference in temperature between the land and the sea. In the winter because the sea is cooler, we do get sea breezes here, but the problem here is that the day is a lot shorter then the sea breezes are weaker. They are more fickle, but really few people seem to have much experience of it here.”

“What would be ideal though, would be no sea breeze at all, because in fact the sea breeze is more of a problem. The 32nd Cup was run on sea breezes, but the courses were much, much shorter, 2-3 miles.”

But with such a large course area, as much as 40 miles offshore in the extremities, the difference in wind strength as you move offshore may be considerable:

“I think here they will just have to set them off anyway in this event, because the course is so long. But the trouble with the sea breeze here is that it is like a road block sweeping down the course really. If it happens, you could set off in a steady gradient breeze of 10 knots from the west. But remember, even before we talk about sea breezes, we have just been out. In the harbour you can see your face in the water. Outside the harbour there was five knots of breeze. We followed one of the teams for half an hour or 40 minutes until we were six or seven miles offshore, and it was 10-12 knots. There was no sea breeze at all, no gradient. But immediately there is an increase in the gradient breeze as you move away from the shore. And we were only a third of the way out to the edge of the course."

"Even without the sea breeze there is a problem for the Race Committee, because of the big difference. Then add in the sea breeze, which could in certain directions could boost the gradient breeze, but actually what seems to happen – in my limited experience this winter – it cancels it out if it is a westerly.”

“On the sunny days when I have been here, around the time of maximum heating (around 12-2, say) it does seem to shut down the breeze.”

“If the racing starts at 10 o’clock then it should be just possible to get around the course without being messed up. The sea breeze is more of a hindrance than a help at this time of year. And the sea breeze only goes so far offshore, probably not much more than 10 miles. So if the course is 20 or 25 miles offshore, that is going to be very different,” Sheahan concludes.

El Corte Inglés, Estrella Damm and Iberdrola join the 33rd America's Cup

2010-02-04 22:05:00

El Corte Ingles, Estrella Damm, Iberdrola of Spain are joined by the Swiss company Hublot in a new example of collaboration with the Comunidad de Valencia, the City of Valencia and the sport of sailing.

The support that El Corte Ingles, Estrella Damm and Iberdrola now extends beyond the last America’s Cup, the 32nd edition of the world’s oldest sporting trophy, which was also held in Valencia.

The official presentation was attended by Rita Barberá, Pau Pérez Rico –regional communications and external relations director for El Corte Inglés–, Federico Segarra –external relations director for Estrella Damm–, Julián Bolinches –institutional delegate for Iberdrola at the Comunidad Valenciana– and Jorge Gisbert –director for Consorcio Valencia 2007–.

The mayoress of Valencia officially opened the Media Centre which will accommodate a very large contingent of international media, many of whom are now on site, already in action:

“With this act we effectively open the 33rd America’s Cup.” Said Barberá, “And with this event which has a huge importance for the city of Valencia, the first city in the world to host the America’s Cup and a F1 Grand Prix in the same year.”
“ I would like to invite all the Valencian people to come to the Port, to come to their America’s Cup, to enjoy it”.

In her first public ceremony from the 33rd America’s Cup venue, Rita Barberá thanked the support of the sponsors in what she considered a great example of the collaboration of Spanish business with Valencia and with the sport: “Sponsors are a crucial part of the 33rd America’s Cup. I would like to extend our thanks in the name of all Valencians to Hublot, El Corte Inglés, Estrella Damm, Iberdrola and all the other sponsors and supporters of this project”.

Pau Pérez Rico, from El Corte Inglés, commented:

"For El Corte Inglés it is very satisfying to share with Valencia, one more time, all the emotion and appeal of the top sailing competition, which represents all the values of effort, control of the elements and respect for the sea and the environment. It makes sense that El Corte Ingles repeats their support of the America’s Cup. I would like to wish both teams and the sailors, bon vent i bona vela –good winds and good sailing".

Estrella Damm’s Federico Segarra said:

“This sponsorship is a good example of the commitment of Estrella Damm to the city of Valencia and with the sport. The America’s Cup is a very important event for the company, as we hold good memories from our participation at the previous edition”.

Iberdrola’s Juan Bolinches, took the opportunity to comment:

“By participating as sponsors of the event, the Iberdrola Group reasserts our commitment to the Comunidad Valenciana, where we have our Iberdrola Renovables head office and the Iberdrola Team base. I would like to mention that our base at the Port America’s Cup will be open to the visit of school kids and guests, to follow the race and discover this passionate sport”.

Three big Spanish companies

El Corte Inglés

El Corte Inglés is the first Spanish group in retail distribution, and one of the world’s leaders in the retail sector. With more than 70 years of experience, the group has a global annual bussiness of more than 17,000 milion euros in more than 80 centers in Spain and Portugal –including seven in the Comunidad Valenciana–, providing jobs to more than 100,000 people. For more information, visit www.elcorteingles.es

Estrella Damm

Estrella Damm has got more than 134 years of experience in the beer business. Estrella Damm is got two plants and more than 500 workers in the Comunidad Valenciana. In Spain, it has seven plants and more than 2,000 workers. For more information, visit www.estrelladamm.es

Iberdrola

Iberdrola is a private company with global presence and more than 100 years of history in the energetic bussiness. Today, Iberdrola is one of the biggest electric companies in the world, with activities in 44 countries in four continents, 33,000 workers and more than 28 million clients. For more information, visit www.iberdrola.es

Training in racing mode

2010-02-04 17:49:00

Only Alinghi has chosen to avail themselves of this, yesterday completing the full 40 miles track. It took the Defender’s catamaran only 2.5 hours from start to finish. Today the weather and sea conditions were a little more problematic and the course was run to the outer mark.

Race officer Harold Bennet (NZL), explains:
“It has been very interesting. The last couple of days have been for us about practise with the team for what we have to do for running the races, getting the team to mould together, which it is, and just going through the motions of making sure we have it all right.”

“We did not run the course today. It was a bit rugged out there. We were off coast a bit and had quite a bit of breeze and a big sea way at the start. The rain made it quite miserable too.”

“We did get the guys out to the windward end, almost out to the corner where they would have to go to. So, yes, we are ready for that. We can do that.” Bennett continues.

“Yesterday we did the 20 mile course and ran Alinghi, we gave them a couple of starts and they did the 20 miles there and back. It looked a good race.”

For the windward-leeward there was 8-9 knots and today they had 18-20 knots where the committee boat was sat.

“But there was quite a steep sea. We were burying the nose of the big cat. It did not last very long. It might have been current, but we had some very steep seas.”

“It has been interesting setting up the courses. We have only seen Alinghi in the start area. But I have spoken to the guys on both teams and we have their viewpoints of what it should look like. We have played with it a wee bit. Now we are somewhere close to it. Once again it is a huge learning curve for us, getting that right.”

“I guess by the time we get it right, the regatta will be over.”

“But certainly you don’t know these things until you try them.”

“I am sure we will get a lot of advice from the teams.” He smiles, “We have had a lot of advice from them so far. But you just have to weigh that up and make a decision.”

And with the possibility of a wind limit now removed, he comments: “Without the wind limits it gives us some flexibility to judge whether to continue or not to continue.”

First decissions

2010-02-03 12:19:00

The decisions relating to Case 01/1 Incorrect Rules Precedence, 01/2 Changing the Rules to Outlaw Wind Detection Equipment, 01/3 Failure to Mutually Agree the Starting Times, 01/4 Imposing Wind and Wave Limits That Directly Affect SNG’s Own Yacht, and 01/5 Imposing Rules Regarding Skin Friction Reduction have all now been published in full.

For Case AC33/02, relating to the position and volume of water ballast on board when the boat is measured, a summary of their decision has been published in advance of their full reasoning which is expected later today (Wednesday).

The full texts are available in the section Regatta Documents.

Here is a round up of the decisions published, some key extracts and the net effect. .

01/1 Incorrect Rules Precedence.

Decision: The Request is upheld. The OA/RC are directed to issue an amendment deleting NoR 1.2 and SI 1.2, and replacing them with ‘The Deed of Gift shall prevail over any other conflicting rule’.

In effect: the Deed of Gift prevails, so precedent falls to the Racing Rules of Sailing.

Reasons given (key extract from 5)

“ The RRS is the document that empowers the publication of the NoR and SI. The RRS are clear that some of its rules may not be changed by the SI. To give precedence to the NoR and SI over the RRS may result in conflict between the rules of the event. Such a conflict may give rise to the possibility that a boat’s score could be made significantly worse through no fault of her own.”

01/2 Wind Detection Equipment:

Decision: Jury has allowed the request to be withdrawn.

In effect: mutual consent reached to amend NoR, the on board wind detection equipment is permitted

Reasons given (key extract from 5): “ ........The parties advised the Jury they had mutually agreed in satisfaction of this request that NoR 14.2(d) (which previously read “lasers, radar or other detection equipment for measuring the relative position of the opponents yacht, other vessels and obstructions; and.....”) will be deleted and replaced with: ‘(d) onboard lasers, radar or other detection equipment operated solely from onboard; and.....’ “

01/3 Failure to Mutually Agree on Start Time....

Decision: The Request is denied.

In effect: published start time is deemed appropriate, 10:06 is ‘reasonable’ and ‘appropriate’

Reasons given: (key extracts from six)
“...... the clause in the Deed does not require the parties to agree a time for the start; rather it allows the Defender to delay naming its vessel until an agreed start time for the first race. If no start time is agreed then the OA has no alternative but to set a start time to facilitate a Match.

The OA had engaged with the Challenger and attempted to agree a start time. USA had wanted an afternoon start time. No agreement was reached.
The Jury is of the opinion that in the absence of agreement as to a first race start time, the OA has the responsibility to set appropriate start times.
The OA has set a scheduled start time of 10:06.”

Request 01/4: Imposing wind and wave limit.

Decision: Redress is granted. NoR 6.7 Deleted.

In Effect: No wind and wave limit imposed, down to RC’s discretion

Reasons given: (key extracts from three)

.......” the RRS contain adequate provisions for a RC to delay starting a race because boats are unlikely to complete the course within the time limit, or because of safety concerns. After the start the RC may ‘abandon the race because of foul weather’ or ‘because of insufficient wind making it unlikely that any boat will finish within the time limit’ or ‘for any other reason directly affecting the safety or fairness of the competition.’ (RRS 32.1)

........Jury concurs with the view of USA that to impose wind and wave height limits, which are not provided for in the Deed, without the consent of the Challenger is an improper action that may result in a boat’s score being made significantly worse through no fault of her own.”

Request 01/5: Request to Impose Rules Regarding Skin Friction Reduction

Decision: Request denied,

In effect: The skin friction reduction technology is permitted

Harold Bennett, Race Officer

2010-02-02 20:00:00

Harold Bennett (NZL) is the Regatta Director and Principal Race Officer for the 33rd America’s Cup.

In 2007 he was Principal Race Officer in charge of the second race area during the Louis Vuitton Cup challenger series. He was the Principal Race Officer in Auckland for the 30th and 31st Matches for the America's Cup.

Bennett has been involved in yachting administration, coaching and race management for over 35 years. As well as being the National Youth Coach in his native New Zealand, he coached sailors at six Olympic Games, from Los Angeles in 1984 to Athens in 2004.

How have the preparations gone, there are challenges in the short lead in time, the large dimensions of the course and protecting the race area, to name but a few….where do you start?

Harold Bennett: “ Its like any other regatta, you have to prepare well. You have to get good people around you and we have done that. We have been working through a lot of the issues we have found with being so far offshore: communication and conditions. We have been looking closely at that and so it has been a lot of preparation work, but most of it has only really begun – as far as the race area itself is concerned – has only really begun in the last week or two weeks.”

It will mean early starts, and getting out to the race area early?

HB: “Timing is not an issue. We know that if we are going to be out for a 1000hrs or a 1030hrs start we have leave here between 0700hrs and 0730hrs and go to the race area that we think is the best place based on the information that we can compile on the weather. And we will go off and go out and get everything set up so we can start when we are supposed to start.”

And the challenges racing in what is, after all, winter?

HB: “Winter, for a start is cold. The wind chill factor out there is low. On a day when the air temperature around 12 or 14 the wind chill takes it down by 5 degrees and so it hasn’t made it easy. That follows on to the weather, the wind conditions have been quite different and are unpredictable. The guys have found it hard to get predictions which are giving us exactly what they think is going to happen. We have got these issues to deal with on a day to day basis, but you have to just go there and do it.”

Security on this large area is important. What are the provisions and what is the advice?

HB: “We are working with twelve of our own boats and are working in cooperation with the local law enforcement agencies, who assist us to keep the area as clear as possible . We are looking forward to that assistance and cooperation. We are more concerned with keeping the immediate areas clear, around the start, around the buoys, and the race boats. The further assistance comes from the law enforcement authorities.”

Who can go on the water to watch and how?

HB: “ First of all anyone who is contemplating going out there to watch needs to be sure that their boat is certified to go out past five miles, because a lot of the course is well beyond that and in fact goes out into international waters, so boats that are not certified for that are likely to have the law enforcement on top of them looking for the authorisation that they might have. The team boats all have to conform. Any spectator boat must conform to those regulations which are the local Spanish regulations. That is the first issue. Anyone who is contemplating going out there need s to be well prepared.

“ After that around the starting areas it is going to be a fairly big area which is going to be closed off.”

“ No one has seen two of these boats operating together, these boats need a lot of room to manoeuvre, and hopefully we get that right, because the first time we see two together will be in the first race. We have to be mindful to get that right.”
People have to abide by instructions given to them on the water by our patrol boats and law enforcement boats, and I think beyond that they should be listening on VHF and we will be keeping communication on VHF Channel 77. Although it may a way offshore, those in the near vicinity of us will be able to pick up any instruction we might have.”

“That will be important, to keep the radio on and listen for any instruction which might be given, because the main thing with these boats is they travel so fast. They are not as manoeuvrable as a monohull boat. If you get in the way you are likely to get run over, and the last thing we want to see is some form of accident. Anybody going out there has to listen to and adhere to the guidelines being issued on the water, and through the media.”

The speed of these boats is going to make it difficult for the umpires, and others to keep up. Who else is allowed to follow the race boats?

HB: “The umpires are well aware that their job, to keep up, is not going to be easy. And we know from our experience already, that chasing after these boats is going to be challenging as it will be for anyone. And by that I mean anyone who is authorised to follow these boats, that is the first response chase boats of the teams, the back up chase boat for the team, the umpire, one of our RIBS, which is for communication from us to the race boat and there is the likelihood of a guardia civil boat. As far anyone else is concerned, no, the law enforcement will keep them out.”

What other challenges are to deal with?

HB: “There is a big learning curve for everyone. And so one thing going for us is that we know Valencia, but the weather is different and a little more challenging. But as far as the boats are concerned we are learning every day that we go out and we are seeing things a little more differently, and we talk to the sailors and keep up with them and what they do. The 32nd America’s Cup there was a lot of lead up time, with the Acts and all the rest of it. But this time we have to get it right on the first day. And that for us is a challenge.”

You used to coach both BMW ORACLE RACING’s Russell Coutts and Alinghi’s Brad Butterworth around 30 years ago and have a strong relationship with them both, how might that affect how you go about the job which has to be done here?

HB: “ My relationship with Russell and Brad, and in fact a lot of the other guys out there on the boats, goes back something like 30 years, when a lot of them were sailing junior boats. How do I deal with that? I have a job to do. They have a job to do and on any given day I’ll guarantee that three of us do not agree. And if that is the case then we will beg to differ on those occasions. But once it is all over, it done. That’s it. And although the three of us are all on different sides of the fence, we will do the jobs the best we can, we will look for the best solution to have we achieve our own personal part of these jobs to achieve them. To me that’s not difficult, I have a job to do. If either one of them don’t like it, well, they will tell me, and once that is done it’s done. And we will get back to the friendships we have had in the past. I don’t think that is an issue. I know them very well, and how they operate. They know how I operate. It’s that simple really.”

Two Michelin stars for the 33rd America's Cup

2010-02-02 17:12:00

When the boundaries of technology are being pushed by this 33rd America’s Cup, it is appropriate that the official chef is one of Spain’s innovators with food who has cooked in the Valencia region since he started at the age of 17.

Quique Dacosta has two Michelin stars and is now internationally renowned for his conceptual dishes as well as his mastery of modern rice dishes.

Dacosta, who rose to fame for his cooking at a restaurant in the region where he has cooked since he was 17, was presented as the official chef today.

The third floor of Port America’s Cup’s landmark Veles e Ventes has, in the past, been an special area but it will be opened up to becoming a public dining area after racing where visitors can experience Dacosta’s cutting edge, modern cuisine.

Each day this main area will host VIP visitors – sponsors, partners and guests – who will be served what the chef describes as a retrospective selection on some of his best dishes. On race days VIP guests will have breakfast from 0800hrs, aperitifs from 1100hrs, lunch of 12 different tapas followed by afternoon tea and drinks evening aperitifs from 1700hrs.

Local ingredients will be utilised, complemented by local wines. This area will then re-open in the evening for public dining, who will be served six different courses from 2000hrs to 2300hrs as well as a choice of six or seven desserts.

As well there is a Gastro Bar area serving eight different high quality tapas. “Gastronomy is such and important part of our culture now.” Dacosta said, “Eating may be a biological necessity but I want to make it a magic and creative experience for everyone.”

Typical of the cuisine he has created, which has been described as transporting the diner to experience the location which inspires the dish, Dacosta is inventing a signature dish for this 33rd America’s Cup. La Bruma, inspired by morning mist, will make use of seaweeds and herbs.

On Sunday Dacosta, author of a cookbook on modern rice dishes, will oversee the creation of a giant paella. Profits from this will go to relief efforts in Haiti.

Timetable for eating at the Veles e Vents building:

-   Breakfast: 8 to 11hrs
-   Aperitif: 11 to 12:30hrs
-   Lunch: 12:30 to 15:30hrs
-   Tea: 16 to 18hrs
-   Aperitif: 17 to 19hrs
-   Gastro-Bar / Lounge Bar: 20 to 00hrs
-   Dinner: 20 to 23hrs

Bookings: +34 686 717 034, +34 673 258 851 y +34 965 784 179.

Further information: quiquedacosta@quiquedacosta.es y prensa@quiquedacosta.es

The America's Cup - The world's greatest design race

2010-02-01 08:31:00

Defaulting to a “Deed of Gift” match has in essence given both Design teams ‘carte blanche’ to create the most technologically advanced yachts ever sailed on the earth’s waters. On August 25th 2008, BMW Oracle was the first to launch their tri-maran. Alinghi, followed a year later with the launch of their catamaran.

Although both boats are thought to be very close to the 90 foot limit on the waterline length for a single mast yacht; they are in fact much longer than this including their massive overhang.

Having actual data is pretty difficult as secrecy surrounds both teams however the Swiss catamaran is believed to be between 110 and 115 foot long meanwhile the American tri-maran is thought to be more than 130 foot.

Masts built as high as 60 meters, with a load at the bottom believed to be in excess of 90 tons in no mean feat by anyone’s standard. BMW Oracle went one step further last year when they surprised the world and installed a huge wing sail. A wing of this scale has not been seen before even on an airplane and only the world’s largest wind turbine (Enercon E-126) is bigger.

To support the huge fore and aft loads, Alinghi came up with a giant circular tube that extends forward from the mast whilst two beams spread out towards the aft main crossbeam. To manipulate efficiently the colossal load on the sail sheets, both competitors are fitted with generators revving up loudly each time a demand is placed on the powered systems. The technical challenges have been enormous for both teams and although there is little doubt that the performance will be amazing, reliability will be the key. Both Alinghi and BMW Oracle are believed to be sailing around 25 knots of speed upwind and much faster downwind however the most surprising numbers have been achieved in next to no wind at all.

Indeed, capable of reaching speed of four times the speed of the wind at times, both teams have gone into the realms of the unknown in sailing. Only time will tell, and we only have one week to wait until these two great teams finally go head to head in the first match of the 33rd America’s Cup due to take place in Valencia’s water on February 8.

Interview with Rita Barbera

2010-01-31 17:18:00

Rita Barberá: Valencia welcomes all

How does it feel to see the America’s Cup return to Valencia?

It really moves me to see the 100 Guineas Cup return and to be able to touch it. Its arrival confirms once more that the America’s Cup has returned home. The Valencian people are going to take part in this very special edition of the America’s Cup and the city of Valencia is ready to welcome the whole world.

There are just two teams in this edition and they compete on boats that are the most technologically advanced in history. How do you see this change?

This is a special America’s Cup and all those who love the sea, technology and adventure sports…will have the chance to enjoy the competition that in most likelihood will not ever happen again. I do not think that there will ever be the chance to see a race like this in the future. It is really impressive to see the speed at which these boats can sail. Valencia will play a front line role in a competition that has never been witnessed before.

The 32^nd America’s Cup marked history, what do you expect from this one?

We are proud that the 2007 edition is remembered as the best in the history of the America’s Cup and we wish that this 33^rd edition, which is so special, will make its own mark on history for its sheer magnitude. It will be an unusual, unique and spectacular challenge.

The event will be spectacular, however with so little known about the boats competing, we will be unable to fully understand or appreciate what the Cup will be until they race on February 8th. I think it is going to be impressive, and a true sporting fight in all its magnitude.

The 33^rd America’s Cup must be an organisational challenge. With very little time, has much been done?

We have secured sponsors who will cover the organisational costs and are ready to welcome the media and invite you all to turn your eyes to Valencia. The 32ⁿd America’s Cup put Valencia on the map and the 33^rd will consolidate it. We were able to organise the 32^nd America’s Cup in Valencia, but not only that, we also host the Formula 1 which is held in the port, as well as other International sporting events such as the Moto GP racing and World Athletics Championship. Valencia is at the vanguard of sport.

Over 2 billion viewers will have access to the America's Cup on TV

2010-01-27 13:16:00

Through the agreements with the European Broadcasting Union, which reaches 56 territories and has an audience of over 650 million and,globally, with Sports News TV spanning 160 territories, broadcasting to over 1.4 billion people and also with Transworld Sport with a global audience of over 302 million, the America’s Cup News packages are assured of a massive international audience of over 2 billion viewers

Among the broadcasters are Great Britain’s BSkyB, TVE/Teledeporte and Canal 9 in Spain, French based Eurosport and Showtime in the Middle East. Broadcasters will take all of the America’s Cup output, including the 26 minutes race day Highlights package, Race News package as well as the 52 minutes summary wrap up programme at the end of the event.

Also, for the first time in the history of the America's Cup, races will be broadcast live free of charge on www.americascup.com

NOTE TO EDITORS

The media accreditation process for the 33rd America’s Cup is now open. Media who wish to accredit now can do so at www.americascup.com/accredmedia

Press Officer

Paco Tormo

Mail: media@americascup.com

Media Centre

Located in the Varadero Building
Opening on Thursday, February 4 at 10:00 am

For all media enquiries: media@americascup.com

Consorcio Valencia 2007 will organise the America's Cup on shore

2010-01-25 16:41:00

For the first time, Racing will be broadcast Live on the internet

The Société Nautique du Genève (SNG), trustee of the America’s Cup, has delegated the responsibility for organising the media and event activities for the 33rd America’s Cup to Consorcio Valencia 2007. The 33rd America’s Cup promises to be a regatta unlike everything which has been seen so far.

The two fastest boats in history will fight for the America’s Cup over race courses that are up to six times bigger than the ones used in the 32nd America’s Cup. For this reason, the TV coverage of the racing will be key. For the first time in history, the races will be broadcast live and free of charge through www.americascup.com to reach the biggest, widest possible audience, including all the fans who will not be able to be in Valencia to witness live this historic competition

The on-shore action will be concentrated at the Veles e Vents, the landmark building central to Port America’s Cup. A giant screen will be installed for fans and spectators to follow the races live as well as enjoying a host of complementary activities around the Port area. The International media centre with capacity for 150 journalists will be in close proximity to the Veles e Vents.

Jorge Gisbert, General Director of Consorcio Valencia 2007: « We are very grateful to have the event back at Port America’s Cup, in the short term we have available we will do our utmost to set the stage for an unforgettable event here in Valencia. »

To organise this event in a short time Gisbert has surrounded himself with an international team involved in the execution of the 32nd America’s Cup. This team led by Michel Hodara (SUI, 48) consists of seasoned professionals in the field of television, media, public entertainment and hospitality.

Questions and Answers:

Jorge Gisbert, General Director of Consorcio Valencia 2007

Consorcio Valencia 2007 was in charge of the infrastructure of the 32nd America’s Cup What does it mean for Consorcio to be now in charge of the organisation for the 33rd America’s Cup?

It’s a challenge. Thanks to our experience in the development of the Port we can give a fast and efficient answer to the technical requirements of an event like this. Also Michel Hodara and his team have joined to contribute with their experience. For three years we worked with him in the last edition of the Cup.

The 32nd America’s Cup was a success.

What can we expect from the 33rd?
Another success, that’s the only way we can see it. This America’s Cup is a totally different proposition and now we are responsible for the organisation and we have a very limited amount of time. We are going to push our creativity and work capacity to the maximum.

Valencia enjoys the legacy of the 32nd America’s Cup. What will be the legacy of the 33rd edition?

We are seeing now that the work to produce the 32nd America’s Cup was the right effort. The 33rd America’s Cup will be an opportunity to show the world that not only can we can organise a great international event, but that we can do it in a very short period of time.

Michel Hodara, Event Manager of the 33rd America’s Cup

What is it needed to organise an America’s Cup in such a short period of time?

It is necessary to have a team of professionals that are used to work together and who are ready to do it 24 hours a day. In addition to the staff of Consorcio Valencia 2007 I have surrounded myself with people that enjoy aiming for the ‘impossible’.

Will it be comparable to the 32nd America’s Cup?
The 32nd America’s Cup was a five star event, developed over the course of three years. The 33rd America’s Cup is not simply the second chapter of that story, is a totally different story, it will be more compact, more intimate, but just as exciting.

What will it be like as an experience, on the ground in Valencia?

We will welcome fans with an inauguration event on February 7th. And from the first race, scheduled for the 8th, they will be able to watch the races live on a giant screen, get official merchandising and enjoy a range of activities for kids, youngsters and families. Also, there will be food and beverage points with Swiss, American and, of course, Spanish food. We want to create a special atmosphere a great fan experience.