The WTF America's Cup Thread
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Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
That crossed my mind, but I had no idea if boats can take a dive.
Who knows? Maybe, you were kidnapped, tied up, taken away and held for ransom.
Those days are gone forever
Over a long time ago
Oh yeah…
Those days are gone forever
Over a long time ago
Oh yeah…
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Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
No way is NZ tanking. The stakes are too high, and these guys have been working towards this for years. The AC is the pinnacle of sailing....no way do the NZ guys want to be the team that has an epic collapse like this would be.wlu_lax6 wrote:Wow. Oracle is finding form and with the back against the wall winning. 8-5 on the scoreboard, 8-7 in actual races. I still expect the cup to go to the land of Sheep and Sailboats. Skeptical wlu_lax6 wonders if some of this "run" by Oracle is based on the need for this to not be a blowout so San Fran does not get crushed in bad press from this. I find it less hard to believe NZ taking a dive because the money involved.
Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
Boats traded paint on the start today, foul called on NZ and Oracle/USA granted a lead on the restart. Two lead changes since, this is pretty exciting halfway through the race. NZ up 8-7, nine wins it.
Who knows? Maybe, you were kidnapped, tied up, taken away and held for ransom.
Those days are gone forever
Over a long time ago
Oh yeah…
Those days are gone forever
Over a long time ago
Oh yeah…
Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
It is all tied up. 8-8. Only twice before in the 162-year history of the America’s Cup has there been a winner-take-all final race, in 1920 and 1983. In 1920 the defender won and in ’83 the challenger won.
1:15 PM West Coast time. One of the greatest comebacks in sports.
1:15 PM West Coast time. One of the greatest comebacks in sports.
Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
Also Larry E blew off the keynote speach at Oracle's conference to watch the races and let other execs present.
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Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
I don't know that they did to the boat, but Oracle has tweaked something to get better upwind boat speed. And Spithill is totally in Dean Barker's head now, and is getting great starts.
Today is going to be insane. If Barker loses this, he may have to go into exile somewhere.
Today is going to be insane. If Barker loses this, he may have to go into exile somewhere.
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Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
Is this televised anywhere?
Until everything is less insane, I'm mixing weed with wine.
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Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
NBC Sports Network.govmentchedda wrote:Is this televised anywhere?
If you don't get that, you can watch live coverage on YouTube. But its blocked if you are in the US. To get around that, follow these instructions (lifted from the SailingAnarchy forum):
DOWNLOAD CHROME, THEN INSTALL THE "HOLA" EXTENSION< WHICH PROXIES YOUR BROWSER. ONCE INSTALLED< SWITCH YOUR COUNTRY LOCATION TO SAY, GBR, VIA THE LITTLE FIREBALL LOGO IN YOUR BROWSER UPPER RIGHT. THEN REFRESH YOUTUBE PAGE AND SHAZAAAM YOU'RE IN!
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Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
I just watched the highlights from yesterday, and wow....did ETNZ gack on the second race. They had a clear lead, and tried to do a "leebow" tack, and just got rolled by Oracle. Bad tactical decision, and then the tack was slow, and Oracle just blasted away from them.
Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
One side story that is going on with this race. As soon as the race is over, the first "valid" challenge with the winner will be the challenger of record. In previous races they hide the commodore of the sailing club away so that the first official challenge can be orchestrated (i.e. defender can pick the challenger of record as the two of them negotiate the rules). I wonder if there is already an agreement between Oracle and NZ to "run it back" for the next go around.
There was talk at that the Soviets may be lining up a challenge for the next race (they have some folks who can afford it) and some talk of them hosting (don't have to host in the home country--i.e. Swiss racing in Spain last go around).
There was talk at that the Soviets may be lining up a challenge for the next race (they have some folks who can afford it) and some talk of them hosting (don't have to host in the home country--i.e. Swiss racing in Spain last go around).
Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
USA! USA! U....oh hell, I can't pretend like I give a shit about yachting.
Bandwagon fan of the 2023 STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!
Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
Fuck Larry Ellison.
Who knows? Maybe, you were kidnapped, tied up, taken away and held for ransom.
Those days are gone forever
Over a long time ago
Oh yeah…
Those days are gone forever
Over a long time ago
Oh yeah…
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Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
This....a million times over.howard wrote:Fuck Larry Ellison.
I really thought ETNZ had it won when Oracle went bow down right at the first mark. But Oracle really fixed something to get that good upwind boat speed (the guys I was watching with were talking about that they changed the pitch angle on the foils). Glad for Jimmy Spithill (nice guy....I met him at Melges24 Worlds back in 2005), and I feel bad for Dean Barker. To be that close, and then not win? Gutting...
What's next? Who knows. I would be surprised if ETNZ can muster another challenge. Will they do the AC72's again? Will it be back in San Francisco? Who will be the Challenger of Record? (I've heard Artemis). Bring on the lawyers!
Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
I didn't watch a ton of the coverage, but enjoyed what I did see. I thought the commentators did well for folks like me with no sailing experience.
I was talking to a co-worker this morning who sails and I hadn't realized that the boats were on one hydrofoil when they were up like that. What I thougt were other hydrofoils were actually the rudders.
I was talking to a co-worker this morning who sails and I hadn't realized that the boats were on one hydrofoil when they were up like that. What I thougt were other hydrofoils were actually the rudders.
Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
I am guessing smaller boats for the next go around. Specifically with ways to reduce costs off the water.
I think we will continue to see the AC Series races because Larry likes boat races.
I think the smaller boats of this style will be in play because it makes a good show, the sailors like sailing them, and it would be a "step back" in engineering.
We won't see a defender series --us boats racing to see who will defend the cup (which has happened in the past). This was a big factor in why Larry E and the Blue Collar Golden Gate Yacht club got together instead of the other upper crusty yacht club next door (which was ultimately taken over by Golden Gate).
San Fran won't be a shoe in to host. Too many hurt feelings between Larry and the city. Promises made, Promises broken on both sides. Great setting but I expect Oracle will use moving the race to Rhode Island, LA, or San Diego to get the best deal possible from San Fran.
and there will be lawsuits...
I think we will continue to see the AC Series races because Larry likes boat races.
I think the smaller boats of this style will be in play because it makes a good show, the sailors like sailing them, and it would be a "step back" in engineering.
We won't see a defender series --us boats racing to see who will defend the cup (which has happened in the past). This was a big factor in why Larry E and the Blue Collar Golden Gate Yacht club got together instead of the other upper crusty yacht club next door (which was ultimately taken over by Golden Gate).
San Fran won't be a shoe in to host. Too many hurt feelings between Larry and the city. Promises made, Promises broken on both sides. Great setting but I expect Oracle will use moving the race to Rhode Island, LA, or San Diego to get the best deal possible from San Fran.
and there will be lawsuits...
Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
Yay, we're the best at boatsbrian wrote:USA! USA! U....oh hell, I can't pretend like I give a shit about yachting.
Pack a vest for your james in the city of intercourse
Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
I did not know that. Now, if the rest of society can emulate.wlu_lax6 wrote:…instead of the other upper crusty yacht club next door (which was ultimately taken over by Golden Gate).
Who knows? Maybe, you were kidnapped, tied up, taken away and held for ransom.
Those days are gone forever
Over a long time ago
Oh yeah…
Those days are gone forever
Over a long time ago
Oh yeah…
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Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
Did Golden Gate overtake the snooty next door neighbor club? The NYT article didn't mention that.
Until everything is less insane, I'm mixing weed with wine.
Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
The SF Chronic had a really interesting article yesterday. It was peripherally about the race, but mainly about what it's like to be Larry friggin' Ellison. Very interesting read. Here is an excerpt:howard wrote:Fuck Larry Ellison.
...One can only imagine living in Ellison’s world. He is the fifth-richest man in the world, worth more than $41 billion, according to Forbes Magazine. His primary residence is a sprawling Japanese-style compound in Woodside. He also owns a massive home in Pacific Heights, along with countless others around the globe. He has three yachts, each bigger than the next. He bought the Hawaiian island of Lanai last year.
He also happens to be an accomplished sailor, having won some of the world’s most prestigious regattas, including a near-fatal experience in the famed Sydney-to-Hobart race. Ellison sailed through a hurricane on that journey and came through as the winner.
When he’s not sailing, he has been one of the world’s most ruthless businessmen. Over the course of the past 10 years, he has consolidated the database-software world with cold efficiency, buying competitors such as PeopleSoft whether they liked it or not. Before that, back in the 1970s and ’80s, he revolutionized the world by pioneering relational databases. Many of his contemporaries from that era – Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Scott McNealy – have come and gone.
Ellison is still headlining conventions, with thousands waiting to hear him speak.
On Tuesday afternoon, they waited in vain. Although he was scheduled to give the keynote address at his convention, which attendees pay around $3,000 to attend, Ellison decided to stay on his chase boat and watch the second race of the America’s Cup. He was rewarded by seeing his team win what many are calling the greatest race in sailing history.
And so it goes for Ellison, a man who actually can say he’s the most interesting man in the world, without a beer in his hand...(more)
"What a bunch of pedantic pricks." - sybian
Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
I thought they did, but that maybe something I misread from in the Book I reference in the first post of the thread. The fancy club is the St. Francis Yacht Club. The Golden Gate Yacht Club was falling apart when they cut a deal with Larry Ellison. The commodore of the club when they made the deal was an auto mechanic (whose dad --an early member did not like the deal and quit the club). The club was founded on a barge.govmentchedda wrote:Did Golden Gate overtake the snooty next door neighbor club? The NYT article didn't mention that.
Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
Ellison got his start with a government handout. He was employed by one of the spy agencies (sorry, I don't remember if it was CIA or NSA). They basically sponsored his going private with the work he had done as a government employee.
Another MF born on third base (in the business/entrepreneurial sense) thinking he hit a triple.
Another MF born on third base (in the business/entrepreneurial sense) thinking he hit a triple.
Who knows? Maybe, you were kidnapped, tied up, taken away and held for ransom.
Those days are gone forever
Over a long time ago
Oh yeah…
Those days are gone forever
Over a long time ago
Oh yeah…
Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
Wiseacre sez, ORACLE is an acronym. One Real Asshole Called Larry Ellison.
"What a bunch of pedantic pricks." - sybian
Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
'He might be an asshole, but he's our asshole' seems to be a common theme in SF.sancarlos wrote:The SF Chronic had a really interesting article yesterday. It was peripherally about the race, but mainly about what it's like to be Larry friggin' Ellison. Very interesting read.howard wrote:Fuck Larry Ellison.
My only fear of death is coming back to this b1tch reincarnated
Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
Wait, that was Big Head Barry's title!
Who knows? Maybe, you were kidnapped, tied up, taken away and held for ransom.
Those days are gone forever
Over a long time ago
Oh yeah…
Those days are gone forever
Over a long time ago
Oh yeah…
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Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
I'm certain that St Francis Yacht Club wasn't taken over by GGYC. St Francis is the truly upper-crust club. Ellison was negotiating with them to be the sponsoring club, and when that went sideways, GGYC stepped in.wlu_lax6 wrote:I thought they did, but that maybe something I misread from in the Book I reference in the first post of the thread. The fancy club is the St. Francis Yacht Club. The Golden Gate Yacht Club was falling apart when they cut a deal with Larry Ellison. The commodore of the club when they made the deal was an auto mechanic (whose dad --an early member did not like the deal and quit the club). The club was founded on a barge.govmentchedda wrote:Did Golden Gate overtake the snooty next door neighbor club? The NYT article didn't mention that.
From what I've read, GGYC was something like $450,000 in the red, and having the 100+ new memberships from all the Oracle guys joining is what saved them. GGYC is a pretty small club, with a really small clubhouse. No food service, and I think the bar only has something like 5 bar stools. Whereas the SFYC is enormous, with 2 restaurants, and a huge bar.
Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
So just read in the NY Times that on 12/2 Team Oracle will announce that it will defend the America's cup by hosting the event in Bermuda. San Fran was not offering as good deal as last time so it came down to San Diego or Bermuda. Apparently the tax haven nature of Bermuda is considered better than San Diego. However, this may impact some teams willing to participate (Kiwis). Guess small island is not as interesting as sailing in the US proper.
Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
Cool pictures of GB boat
http://www.businessinsider.com/these-mi ... nes-2016-2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.businessinsider.com/these-mi ... nes-2016-2" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
Oracle's little version of the boat is now going as fast as the last America's Cup big boat.
http://www.businessinsider.com/oracle-m ... peed-gains" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
http://www.businessinsider.com/oracle-m ... peed-gains" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
A family friend is going to France to attempt to qualify for Rio paralympics. He sails an opti.
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Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
That's cool...opti's are tough little boats.govmentchedda wrote:A family friend is going to France to attempt to qualify for Rio paralympics. He sails an opti.
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Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
Kid is a bad ass. My wife has been his speech therapist for almost 7 years. As his mom put it in the fundraising site, "Kevin was in a bicycle vs auto accident, the speeding van won." He suffered a TBI, and has slowly worked his way back to competition. He won the 4.7 Laser Midwinters when he was 14 (whatever that means). He's now 21 or 22, and if he comes in as first American at the regatta in Hyeres, France he'll head to Rio for the paralympics.DaveInSeattle wrote:That's cool...opti's are tough little boats.govmentchedda wrote:A family friend is going to France to attempt to qualify for Rio paralympics. He sails an opti.
My kids went to his fundraiser at the local yacht club and they are ready to give it a try. My kids don't like to try anything, so I'm hoping they love it. They certainly have a good role model to follow.
Until everything is less insane, I'm mixing weed with wine.
Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
They are racing right off Manhattan this weekend. Hope they don't hit this guy
http://www.businessinsider.com/americas ... tch-2016-4
http://www.businessinsider.com/americas ... tch-2016-4
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Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
My boys started sailing camp this week, and true to form, the middle one melted down about trying anything new. After a few days of push back, he came around, and both boys went out in an opti on their own and sailed out and around a buoy that had to be at least .25 miles away. Pretty impressed with them for not giving up, and working together. They generally just antagonize and pound on each other.
Also, Kevin did not make the paralympics. He competed well in Hyeres, but only one American made it to Brazil.
Also, Kevin did not make the paralympics. He competed well in Hyeres, but only one American made it to Brazil.
Until everything is less insane, I'm mixing weed with wine.
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Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
That's the way Olympic qualifying works...only one boat per country per event.govmentchedda wrote: Also, Kevin did not make the paralympics. He competed well in Hyeres, but only one American made it to Brazil.
I have a friend who won the Silver Medal in the Star Boat in Barcelona. He's told me that the Olympic qualifying regatta was FAR more nerve-wracking then the actual Olympics.
Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
So the teams agree to boat designs for the next 2 America's cup. But what is most interesting is that this makes the America's cup a 2-year cycle, not 4 year. It also brings the costs down to ~30-40 Million for a team.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/americas-cu ... 1485383406
Side note: Maybe a Dave In Seattle has some input. I am going to be in Bermuda about a month before the event starts. Figure the teams will be fully setup by then but the Village won't be open. Any thoughts on what to look for/do to expose my family to the event?
http://www.wsj.com/articles/americas-cu ... 1485383406
Side note: Maybe a Dave In Seattle has some input. I am going to be in Bermuda about a month before the event starts. Figure the teams will be fully setup by then but the Village won't be open. Any thoughts on what to look for/do to expose my family to the event?
Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
New Zealand getting funky with their "Grinding" for the America's cup. Interesting to see if this gives them an advantage on the sails.
http://www.bicycling.com/racing/preview ... p-by-storm
http://www.bicycling.com/racing/preview ... p-by-storm
Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
2 days until this F1-style stadium racing kicks off
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Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
I'm very skeptical about this. There have been other big racing boats that have tried to do the "pedal-grind" setup, and it never works out.wlu_lax6 wrote:New Zealand getting funky with their "Grinding" for the America's cup. Interesting to see if this gives them an advantage on the sails.
http://www.bicycling.com/racing/preview ... p-by-storm
Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
Oracle was apparently giving it a tryDaveInSeattle wrote:I'm very skeptical about this. There have been other big racing boats that have tried to do the "pedal-grind" setup, and it never works out.wlu_lax6 wrote:New Zealand getting funky with their "Grinding" for the America's cup. Interesting to see if this gives them an advantage on the sails.
http://www.bicycling.com/racing/preview ... p-by-storm
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/ar ... d=11857729
Re: The WTF America's Cup Thread
Oracle won the preliminary round qualifier and as a result will start the final up 1-0.
Semi finals are under way
New Zealand (Emirates) is up 2-0 over Great Britain (Land Rover) and Japan (SoftBank)up 1-0 on the Sweeds (Artemis).
Semi finals are under way
New Zealand (Emirates) is up 2-0 over Great Britain (Land Rover) and Japan (SoftBank)up 1-0 on the Sweeds (Artemis).