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June 12: ETNZ tries to get up to speed on Alinghi: "...they’re a pretty formidable package, and if we can extract some more out of NZL-92, we have a window, and we’d like to take full advantage of that." Americascup.com June 8: Alinghi prepares for ETNZ, by racing Luna Rossa: Independent Online
The Canting Keel: |
Alinghi Wins Rules Protest: A recent series of Public Interpretations involving running rigging led the defender to question the ACC Technical Director's decisions by bringing the matter before the America's Cup International Jury. Read more at Sail-World No Waka, No Haka? A Waka, a traditional Maori boat, will not be permitted as part of the send-off for Emirates Team New Zealand, according to news reports, despite having been present to cheer the team at the start of the LVC. Logistical and security concerns were cited for the decision, but it may be more than just that. See NZ Herald and stuff.co.nz for more. A later report at tv3.co.nz says it was ETNZ themselves that axed the ritual. Update: ETNZ has issued a statement, reprinted at the BMW Oracle Blog, confirming that the decision was theirs.
Battle for the Future of the Cup The warning gun doesn't sound until June 23rd, but the maneuvering in the press in already in high gear. A story by Christopher Clarey in the International Herald Tribune managed to draw provocative quotes out of the men behind the Defender and Challenger. At particular issue is how the issue of nationality might be treated if the America's Cup changes hands. Alinghi Ernesto Bertarelli and ETNZ's Grant Dalton appear to disagree passionately on the topic, though Dalton praised much that Bertarelli had accomplished. Ernesto Bertarelli on Grant Dalton and suggestions that ETNZ would return nationality rules to the America's Cup if they were to win: "I don't know why he has turned like that, so it gives us an additional inspiration to make sure we win it and continue to bring forward the idea we have of the sport, which is yacht clubs trying to put together the best possible boat and the best possible team and bringing the sport to more people." Dalton on Bertarelli: "He has done a huge amount for the sport. He has carried out a vision for Valencia, which I think is bloody brilliant, and I think it's fantastic that we're now going to get the opportunity. In some ways, you could say that when Ernesto did that, he was looking for that straight shootout and giving Team New Zealand another crack." Dalton, in response to a European contingent alarmed by the prospect of strong nationality rules if ETNZ were to win: "We will look at nationality, but we haven't made a final decision, compared to what everybody thinks we have," he said. Read more at International Herald Tribune 12-Meter Yachts in Valencia The 12-Meter Class, so heavily linked with the America's Cup through 10 defenses, is celebrating its 100th birthday. As part of the fun, a regatta of classic and modern Twelve's will be racing this week in Valencia, including past America's Cup boats. Other events are planned on both sides of the Atlantic throughout the summer. Sparring Partners
ETNZ eliminated Luna Rossa last week, but days later the Italian team was out on the water with ITA-94 helping the defender Alinghi tune up for the America's Cup match. ETNZ did the same favor for the defender before the LVC Final began. Shosholoza Will Race Again Shosholoza will be back for the next America's Cup whether it is in Europe or New Zealand, the head of the South African syndicate said on Saturday. "South Africa will be a challenger in the next America's Cup." |
Racing in Dubai? "We welcome this idea of having some of the races in Dubai," Grant Dalton told GulfNews. "We welcome such a move from Dubai and we will be massively keen to race there." Ferrari Inspires ETNZ: Greg Ford at Stuff.co.nz Afterguard Gazing: Julie Ash at NZ Herald No NOR? The Notice of Race
has become a contentious issue, according to press reports. ETNZ
and Alinghi were supposed to have agreed to the detailed terms of the
conduct of the match. A reported sticking point is said to be the
issue of yacht substitution after racing begins, with the defender said
to be asking for something more flexible that what the challenger will
accept. Alarmists have tried to suggest that the match could be
delayed as a results, but the reality appears to be that the Regatta
Director can solve the impasse, and the Jury can step in as well.
Stuff.co.nz has good coverage of
some of the issues. See: Louis Vuitton Cup News Archive of stories from the LVC Regatta Compare ETNZ and Alinghi yachts
Click the images above to view some photo composites of the Challenger's and Defender's yachts, assembled from Unveiling Day and the Louis Vuitton Cup. SilverGate Stories: Why win the America's
Cup when you can buy it by the ounce?
Read More Quick notes on the unveilings, links to photos: Designer's Press Conference United Internet Team Germany
Narrow hull, not
unusual bulb. Luna Rossa
ITA-94 most aggressive hull shape in the fleet,
hard turn. Squat flat-tail bulbs on both yachts. See photos of both +39 and Desafío Español See photos of Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia See photos of Victory Challenge BMW Oracle
Black, shiny, and high tech. BMW Oracle keels reveal
fat man and little boy. Emirates Team
New Zealand shows two different boats. NZL-84 has a
long low bulb, flat winglets low a little aft of center. Flat-bottom
hull, up-tilted nose. The fin is almost rectangular except that it has a
slight reverse angle (just a few degrees). NZL-92 has much smaller
bulb, with a very circular section, and winglets that have a lot of
downward angle. The fin is V-shaped, with vertical aft edge. Very nice
painting on both bulbs. Areva
distinctly rounded hull sections. Bulb displays a more classic
shape, except the saddle of the bulb (bottom) making a small angle with
sides, for a less round shape than NZL-92. Alinghi
both boats with similar bulbs, less angular on hull shape
aft, full forward sections.
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