sorry America had to kick your butt's in the Americas cup race too bad we had to use an ausi skipper
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sorry America had to kick your butt's in the Americas cup race too bad we had to use an ausi skipper
When jb & Rosie were here we watched a couple of the races, and there were several instances of a "KEE-WEE, KEE-WEE, KEE-WEE" chant from jb with a big smile. Yes, I was forced to send him a message yesterday :D, informing him of what many are calling the biggest comeback in sports history, 8 to one needing one to take the cup, and the American team coming back to defend it 9 to 8. I'll refrain from posting his one word reply describing the heritage of the defenders! :LOL: The last few days have been some very exciting race coverage.
Officially only one American on that boat, four Kiwi's, one Pom, and some Aussie arsehole wipes. I honestly believe that the true winner of the America's Cup was Ellison and his money and not really the skill of the yachtsmen. The question one has to ask now is..... is this the end of the Cup due too nobody in the world will or can afford to compete against a rich cheating arsehole like Ellison ? We had a budget of hundred million American dollars and had to watch every dollar, Ellison flew 14 boat designers / builders up from New Zealand when they where losing races to hotrod their boat at what expense ? We did lose to a better boat but I wouldn't say we lost to a better crew. And for all you who ain't aware, three of those boats, Team ENZ, Team Oracle, and Team Alinghi were build in New Zealand. So again, the question is, who in the world will be able to compete with Larry Ellison's money to be able to design, build and then compete honestly on the water with that man. No one, maybe it is time to get back to basics with a mono hull yacht with absolutely no computerized hydrualic systems and it is the crews ability to get the best out of the boat to win races. Anyway this is just my opinion and yes, I am a bit pissed about the whole scene over there and yes I do come from a sailing heritage although I will freely admit I'm no expert.
Having watched about the last half of the Cup coverage I have to agree that Larry Ellison's money came into play. It was said during the coverage that the NZ Team was basically a National Team, and the bulk of their financing came from the Government, not from private sources, and that it was limited to a finite amount. The commentators also asked the question about the nationality of the teams, and one stated that in his opinion there should be a requirement for all team members to have origin or citizenship to the country they represent - the USA Team should be made up of US born or naturalized citizens, much like the Olympics. Not sure that's the right approach, but I do know that from my perspective the last eight races were phenomenal! I can understand that the interpretation from NZ would be totally different.
Thanks Roger for your insight and yes, the NZ Govnt. put up $63 million and the balance from the sponsors. As for your thoughts on the nationality of the crews, I honestly don't know the answer as to crew members but they need to bring the boat design back to a more financial viability for more nations to enter and compete otherwise I can see the cup sitting in SF Bay yacht club rooms gathering dust.
Just found this thread.
There's a poem about cricket I read a long time ago, when I was still at school I think.
So that was a long time ago!
Can't remember all of it now, but it went something along the lines of:
'It matters not whether you win or lose,
But how you played the game.
Play up,
Play up,
And play the game!'
We were beaten on the day by a superior boat with a superior crew.
Them's the breaks.
If you don't like it; swallow a cup of cement and harden up.
Don't cry about it.
Robin, All your comments had me in stitches! Since I live some 20 minutes from Newport Rhode Island, the home (originally) for the cup, I have a whole different perspective on the topic. From here, we still remember when the Aussie's / Zeelander's "cheated" to "steal" the cup from us! :3dSMILE: With their zillion dollar hull and radical "stretching" of the rules and interpretations.... Yes, there are many here who are laughing long and hard that turn-about has finally happened and we feel vindicated!:)Quote:
Originally Posted by Whiplash23T
Maybe now it could get back to "simple" 12 meter yachts as described in the original rules...??..?? :D
It is Mark I think the above comment is aimed at, me, Well I believe you should do a search on the Wikipedia site to educate yourself all about the cheating please sir. Australia won the cup from New York and it hasn't been back since as when Dirty Dennis won it back it was return to the San Diego Yacht Club on the other coast and where it is now but up the coast a wee bit. As for cheating I would also suggest you read up on the history of the cup before slinging mud please. Even Michael Fays " Big Boat " challenge was by the rule book as fought through the courts.Quote:
Originally Posted by 34_40
Sorry for the confusion Mark / Robin! No mud slinging!! Just having fun! And the Americas Cup may have originated in New York but was raced for decades in Newport Rhode Island! Don't care what wiki says!! Dozens of "sheds" all around the region where the yachts were designed and fabricated. The designs that didn't make the cut would be wholesaled at auction and folks came from around the world to see what others would come up with and stay "within the rules"!!
It ain't racin' if they aren't pushing the envelope.. Don't matter if it's cars / boats / planes / rockets / you name it!
So again, no mud slinging! Just havin' a laugh at human nature! And when Dirty Dennis took the cup to San Diego we (New Englanders) all hated him as much (if not more) than anyone "down under"!!!:LOL::LOL::LOL::LOL:
No probs,34-40..Say what you like,mate,,it doesn't worry me...I think everyone disliked ''Dirty Dennis'' at one point..i was on holiday,for a few days in Hawaii(then the mainland for three weeks),,and had numerous people ask me if I sailed,,and then told me that they hoped that ''a** hole'' Connors was put in his place by somebody..Hehe.. I followed it that year,,and the next time,,and then couldn't be bothered with it again,,including this time..So much ''modifying'' of rules,,courtroom antics,,blubbering,,name calling,etc..Can't be stuffed with it,,or the waste of so much money,over a boat race.. Yup,,put a team in each identical boat,,leave ya wallet at home,,and have a series of twenty(give or take)races..
Winner takes all..:cool: And no,,I don't come from a sailing background..Gimmee an engine,any day.. ;)
I'll have to go find my Hobiecat and race him!!! The Cup has always been a big money race, but this one want beyond ridiculous all the way to absurd!
You got it,Dave..Paint the hull(s) with a slippery Teflon finish,,and give him a run for his money..Hehe.. :LOL::LOL:And,,good morning.. I'm off to bed very soon..Gone 10PM,Sunday..:cool:**)**)**)Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Severson
We agree on all that! It has become all so much drama and taken away from the competition. Being born and raised here on the coast, and with the Cup races 20 - 25 minutes away.. It was good times to grow up around it! And all the girls that arrived from around the world didn't hurt! :LOL::LOL::LOL:Quote:
Originally Posted by lamin8r
I have actually sailed on a couple 12 meter yachts! The old racers are usually bought by some mega-wealthy person and to help offset costs they hire them out to various companies to put the craft to work. Some of these are "friendly" races between these old boats with a hired on crew from various companies that use this as a team building exercise. I'll act as a "mate" and help the "captain" keep the boat organized and all the newbs acting as a "crew". It is a huge thrill to stand on a deck operating a hand driven winch, with the boat heeled over enough to put your outside leg in seawater up to your knee but your inside foot is still dry! And it's on a vessel built in the late 50's or early 60's!
It seems a shame to see what it's all become! :(
Yup,,years ago,,it was GB,USA,various continental countries,who raced for the cup,,as you said,,it started on your coast,,and like a lot of ''sporting''events,has turned tits up,one way or another,due to money..I know what you mean about those big yachts..They heel over a long way..in my earlier days,of high school,,a friend or two from more affluent families,had up to 45 footers,,and it was kool to spend a weekend on the water,,ummm,,,especially those guys with sisters..;););) We got quite familiar with the small uninhabited islands around Auckland's Hauraki gulf.. :D:DQuote:
Originally Posted by 34_40