Every video I've seen seems to indicate they have great control, even in heavy conditions. If so, this is going to be thrilling racing....kind of like F1 or Moto GP. I think they could pick up a lot of interest from non-sailing folk.

All 2nd generation yachts are in the water and flat out testing. The Cup is fast approaching.

Seeing 2 of these things going head to head is gonna be all time

The boats look awesome on the water.
Yes there is always off the water drama, can't wait for the first races

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Harrow said..
Every video I've seen seems to indicate they have great control, even in heavy conditions. If so, this is going to be thrilling racing....kind of like F1 or Moto GP. I think they could pick up a lot of interest from non-sailing folk.

I personally find the fleet racing more exciting than the one-on-one match racing. There are simply more boats, more action.

It's going to be fkn insane!

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evlPanda said..
I personally find the fleet racing more exciting than the one-on-one match racing. There are simply more boats, more action.

A fleet of these drag racing downwind and trying to be first to round the bouy? I'd be into that, but imagine the potential for carnage!

Be good to see run this race "run in the "south china sea

Great news that we will see them racing earlier

i.stuff.co.nz/sport/americas-cup/123546759/americas-cup-teams-to-tangle-early-with-five-days-of-official-practice-confirmed-ahead-of-december-regatta

December 11, less than 2 weeks away.

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Harrow said..

evlPanda said..
I personally find the fleet racing more exciting than the one-on-one match racing. There are simply more boats, more action.

A fleet of these drag racing downwind and trying to be first to round the bouy? I'd be into that, but imagine the potential for carnage!

I'm impressed by what looks like pretty high g cornering. Check out the turn at 1.11 ! You can attempt a calculation. If the boat averages 25 knots thru the turn and it takes about 2.5 seconds to turn 90 degrees. That's 12.9 m/sec for 2.5 seconds = 32.5 metres for 1/4 turn = 129 metres if a full circle. Divide by 2pi to get the radius. 20.5 metres. Acceleration = v^2/r = 12.9 X 12.9 / 20.5 = 8.1 m/sec.sec ! 1g = 9.8 m/sec.sec . Almost 1 g! There's going to be a man overboard before too much longer.

This week is the start of five days of official practise in Auckland. Getting real now with the Christmas Cup warm-up regatta from December 17-20. I'd be surprised if there is any toe to toe racing as no-one can afford to damage kit but seeing these beasts in their natural environment is going to be fantastic.

first day of practice + some one on one with a bit of commentary.

First race starts within the hour for the Christmas Cup.
When the flag drops the bull sh#t stops.
Go Team NZ

I know they are fanging alot at 42 knots, but what's with the vibration through the helm?

How good was that last race today..

Yes a race not follow the leader.
Dean Barker is an awesome sailor and they (American team) nailed the start, sailed a great race staying between TNZ and the next mark and TNZ under pressure made mistakes.
It was promising on the last upwind TNZ comeback to get bouy room but only to gybe too soon and badly.
Having sailed in that area I know how gusty and shifty the wind can be.
Great TV footage and interesting looking at the traveller movement both up and downwind.
Today was supposed to be windy SW, tomorrow looking NE and Saturday and Sunday light winds.

foil glide ahead of team NZ !

Where can you watch it? Not much on youtube yet. Day 1 and they've hit 47 knots in a 15 knot breeze.

www.americascup.com/en/live

tune in now fellas (1pm) for day 2

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crustysailor said..
tune in now fellas (1pm) for day 2

Now I have to catch up on 2 hours of work. Some really good racing. Barker / America Magic look like they're the team that'll challenge unless Spithall and Sirena / Luna can find an extra gear. Anslie / Britannia not in the same class atm....maybe

Where is the best place to watch the current regatta and then the events up to the cup?

The TVNZ coverage always used to be the best coverage. Especially for a technical person like me.

I am open to purchasing a subscription service. I'm in Melbourne.

To watch - here is the link to website below.
Just back to Auckland and wind is light but building and out going tide.
They organizers love Course C but it should be Course A (which is best for me being on the north shore) however they will be between Course B & C to give better wind than C but still see from North Head.
If it stays light then the code zeros could be used.

www.americascup.com/how-to-watch

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Ian K said..
Day 1 and they've hit 47 knots in a 15 knot breeze.

What? That's nucking frazy!

still hitting 36 knots in sub 10knot winds today. the technology is just incredible!

Okay one for the diehard sailors....Pardon my ignorance I've always pronounced leeward Lee-ward, whereas the majority yankee commentary team pronounce it Lew-ard. Is this just a nuance of amercian english vs British english?

36 knots in what they called 8-10 of wind. That was a good race until American Magic fell off the foil. Who's the commentator? He seems to know what's what.

www.americascup.com/en/live?utm_source=seabreeze.com.au

In NZ we have coverage on TV One free to air with good sailing commentary.
I can see the boats with binoculars but TV is awesome.
INOES will have a lot of work after the Christmas cup to be competitive in the light.
Yes Ian K that was looking great race until the yanks came off foil and race over and yes incredible velocity for true wind speed.
Looking forward to race 4, come on kiwis

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Ian K said..
Who's the commentator? He seems to know what's what.

www.americascup.com/en/live?utm_source=seabreeze.com.au

The aussie is Nathan Outteridge en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nathan_Outteridge

Nathan Outteridge is sailing talent and would have been great to see an Aussie challenge and with more than 3 challengers should be helming a boat.
Wow how was the last race, plenty of drama with TNZ coming off the foil but came through with exciting finish
The delays with spectator fleet being on the course will be policed more in future.
Bring on tomorrow!