Not something I would tune into on purpose, but came across while channel surfing.
I know this is the ultimate rich boy’s sport, but I still find it interesting.
The tech is amazing. They race in hydrofoil catamarans. A lot of the controls are hydraulic (some of the sailor’s sole job is to provide power for the hydraulic system). A significant part of the race is staying off the hulls.
Emirates New Zealand is making mistakes, but Oracle USA is unable to capitalize on them. NZ is ahead 3-0 which is more impressive since they started at -1 (first to 7 wins)
I’ve been watching it, too. This is the Ultimate “What the Hell?” sport I’ve ever seen. Boats that fly, zig-zagging all over the place, guys scrambling around peddling imaginary bicycles.
I can’t make head’s or tail’s of it, but its pretty interesting.
There is just so much to talk about. The history of how we got here, the current round, the teams, the technology, the scandals, the future.
Last time ETNZ lost in what is usually billed as sporting’s greatest comeback. In reality, the level of technological development happening then was so fast that Oracle US actually improved their boat and boat handling enough in those few days to become the dominant team. Ben Ainslie on the back calling tactics helped as well.
This time we are back with the rematch most people expected. ETNZ were always going to be the dominant challenger, simply because they had the most experience. The other challengers dropped out in about the order people expected relative to the amount of experience they had.
Now, the big big question is - in the five day break enough for Oracle to find some more speed? Or has ETNZ been sandbagging and has lots more to give. Given what happened last time you would expect them to be very nervous.
Jimmy Spithill is considered the most aggressive starter in the competition, which means using the rules to force the other boat into a bad position before they even cross the line. Nathan Outeridge being perhaps the other master at these tactics. But Nathan’s team (Artemis) lost to ETNZ in the playoffs, so you now hear him commentating. Peter Burling has been one of the more timid, so many expected ETNZ to be dominated by Oracle in the starts. But Peter has been schooled fighting Nathan (who is a mate) and may well have a few moves up his sleeve. The way he held off Oracle in the 4th race after stuffing up a gybe and leaving himself very vulnerable to a hook was impressive (if a bit lucky.).
The manoeuvrability has astounded everyone. Catamarans are not usually known for quickness of turning, but the foiling cats are a revelation. So, yes, you are seeing some of the highest speed sailing with some of the best tactical you will ever see, by some of the worlds best. No doubt every team sailing has been improving dramatically through the series, so expect more interesting developments.
(The race is interesting for Australians in that Oracle is basically sailed by Australians, whereas ETNZ only has one Aussie on board.)
It’s just … *weird *seeing a sailing race that is won by the boat that keeps *out *of the water the most, and to hear announcers talk unironically about “flying” the boat. If a hull gets wet, they lose. The tech is fascinating, but it’s like watching a race between cars that aren’t wheel-driven. I think I’d rather see sailing.
Glad USA got a win, and it isn’t jingoism, I think I would feel the same way if the score was reversed. The last race was exciting because the lead kept changing.
Final score 7-1
The race won by USA was by 11.302 seconds
The narrowest win by ETNZ was 11.676 seconds
(widest was over 2 minutes, and one was by almost a minute and a half)
