A whole new ballgame!

[bamamick]

Well, they've done it again. Bertarelli and the people at ACM have changed the game and the boat again. They are talking about a 90' LWL boat now with a sliding keel, a crew of 21, yadayadayada. Other tidbits: it may not be Valencia. They'll have to see how money they can squeeze out of the Spanish before deciding that (which is very strange since they had pre-arranged for the Desafio bunch to be the COR). There is also some talk of having an elimination series based on what they did with the ACTS the last time. Teams with low point totals in the ACTS will not be involved in the regatta at the eventual end site.

My opinion on this? They lost me in the first two minutes. My interest has gone from 'very' to 'not at all'. Just wait and see. This will be the biggest buildup you ever saw for nothing. The winner the next time (and I am taking bets that it's Alinghi) will walk away with this by such margins as to be laughable. After all, Alinghi is creating the rule, yes? Don't you think Rolf Vroljiek has had some time to work on said rule in advance of everyone else? Just when I thought that this thing was turning back into a boat race it reverts into nothing but a design contest. Ridiculous.

Oh yeah, supposedly as a cost cutting measure (laughs out loud) the teams will only be allowed one boat per cycle, so the preliminary rounds will be sailed in the 2007 era boats. Whatever. More informed opinions will follow. I am disgusted with this.

Mickey Lake

[WindHawk]

My only suggestion, seriously, return to wood.

I own an FRP boat, and I love her, but the little wooden yawl lives in the shed. 'nuff said.

Talk about returning to equality. I know many designers still want to make a wooden boat, and why not? One race. Wood. Billionaries be damned.

[bamamick]

and I've got 'glass boats and I love them all. I've got race boats and I've got a 40' wooden schooner. My heart is in the racing. Always has been. Since the America's Cup is pretty much the pinnacle of racing (along with the Olympics and the VOR) it has been interesting to follow, this time moreso than any I can remember since 1987. It had finally got back to the point where it was in the 12 metre era where it was down to racing not just who designed a better boat. Well, they've killed that now. It won't be about the sailors for another 20 years now, it'll just be about the boats.

As you say though, who really cares, eh? I've got a lot of Dragoning on my mind today. Don't need the clutter.

Mickey Lake

[rbgarr]

90 foot waterline? Build another RELIANCE!!!

[bamamick]

TBD.

As someone on SA said, kinda tough to line up sponsors for the event without knowing where it is going to be, when it is going to be, what kind of boat is being used, or if the lesser teams like Germany and China this past go round, will ever get to sail in the races at the end site.

The reason for the TBD is because they need to squeeze Valencia for some more euros apparently. If the event moves to another venue it certainly won't be in 2009. Odds are it WILL be in Valencia but they have set a dealine for, iirc, December 31st of this year to make an announcement. Ridiculous.

Mickey Lake

[John B]

I haven't seen the keel reference Mickey, what sort is it.. sliding means ? Canting?

[bamamick]

the keel will only lift as a convenience and will not move during races, but that is just the rumour.

I have been embarrasing myself and my family forever on SA today. Rants and more rants. I know one thing, if I were a citizen of the great country of New Zealand, I would be more than a little pissed that my government is giving tax money so that ETNZ can participate in the next one. Well, proud and pissed at the same time.

Go read the protocol for AC33 and you'll see what I mean. The NYYC were rank amatuers compared to these guys. Absolutely unbelieveable.

Mickey Lake

[John B]

Found it thanks Mickey. It'll be interesting to see what happens from that to be sure.

[Tom Robb]

Opt out.
Don't get involved.
Who cares which corporate sponsored syndicate wins? What possible meaning could it have?
Play with the Dragons. You'll be happier and live longer.