Monday, February 15, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Handover
The America's Cup is handed over to the Golden Gate Yacht Club and its BMW ORACLE Racing team.
BMW ORACLE Racing wins the 33rd America's Cup
Alinghi has confirmed with the Race Committee there will be no protest. BMW ORACLE Racing is the winner of the 33rd America's Cup.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” said skipper and helmsman James Spithill (AUS). “The amount of work the whole team has put into this boat and now to go two races without any issues – you just have to hand it to the shore guys, the boatbuilders and all of the support team and designers. They gave us an awesome tool.”
“It’s absolutely an awesome feeling,” added team founder and afterguard member Larry Ellison (USA). “I’m really proud to be part of this team. I couldn’t be more proud.”
After a long postponement on Sunday afternoon, racing started at 16:25 in 7-8 knots of wind.
There was an unusual start to the race, with Alinghi entering the start box very late. In fact, they were on the wrong side of the start box at the 5-minute gun, forcing the Umpires to assess a penalty.
BMW ORACLE Racing started with more speed, but Alinghi held held the right hand side of the race course and prospered early when the wind shifted to the right. At one point, the advantage line was as big as 600-meters to the Swiss.
But before the top mark, the BMW ORACLE Racing crew made a perfect layline call. After tacking on the line to the mark, BMW ORACLE Racing saw Alinghi cross ahead, but cede the inside position at the mark to USA, and that was all the advantage the challenger would need to lead around the mark by 28 seconds. From then onwards, the powerful USA boat extended its lead, to cross the finishing line ahead by 5.26.
“It was an awesome race. It was touch and go,” Spithill said. “We didn’t see that shift going as far right as it did and that made it pretty exciting early on.”
“It’s an amazing feeling,” said skipper and helmsman James Spithill (AUS). “The amount of work the whole team has put into this boat and now to go two races without any issues – you just have to hand it to the shore guys, the boatbuilders and all of the support team and designers. They gave us an awesome tool.”
“It’s absolutely an awesome feeling,” added team founder and afterguard member Larry Ellison (USA). “I’m really proud to be part of this team. I couldn’t be more proud.”
After a long postponement on Sunday afternoon, racing started at 16:25 in 7-8 knots of wind.
There was an unusual start to the race, with Alinghi entering the start box very late. In fact, they were on the wrong side of the start box at the 5-minute gun, forcing the Umpires to assess a penalty.
BMW ORACLE Racing started with more speed, but Alinghi held held the right hand side of the race course and prospered early when the wind shifted to the right. At one point, the advantage line was as big as 600-meters to the Swiss.
But before the top mark, the BMW ORACLE Racing crew made a perfect layline call. After tacking on the line to the mark, BMW ORACLE Racing saw Alinghi cross ahead, but cede the inside position at the mark to USA, and that was all the advantage the challenger would need to lead around the mark by 28 seconds. From then onwards, the powerful USA boat extended its lead, to cross the finishing line ahead by 5.26.
“It was an awesome race. It was touch and go,” Spithill said. “We didn’t see that shift going as far right as it did and that made it pretty exciting early on.”
'USA' sails past the Rising Sun
The BMW ORACLE Racing crew has just sailed close past the Rising Sun, Larry Ellison's 'other' boat!
'USA' finishes ahead in race two
BMW ORACLE Racing, the American challenger, representing the Golden Gate Yacht Club, crossed the finish line ahead of Alinghi for the second consecutive race.
But the Swiss defender approached the finish line flying a red protest flag, putting the overall result into doubt.
The official result of the 33rd America’s Cup is pending the result of this protest.
The first team to earn two wins is the winner of the 33rd America’s Cup.
'USA' gybes for the finish
BMW ORACLE Racing has crossed over 1000 meters ahead of Alinghi approaching the finish line.
Images off the water
Here's the first batch off the water.
Closing in on the finish line now... it's a big lead to USA.
Closing in on the finish line now... it's a big lead to USA.
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