33rd America's Cup 2010 - AY Race 2 & Roundup...

BMW ORACLE Racing wins the 33rd America's Cup. 2 - Zip

15 Feb 2010 Don't worry if you were tied up with all sorts of Chinese New Year and Valentines Day merriment over the long weekend and missed out on the AC 33 monster yacht clash in Valencia, Spain. We sacrificed our time and joined the media rush by launching our very own 33rd AC - AY Race Log Live... on the homepage and delivered a 'Blow by Blow' story of these 'Magnificent men in their flying machines'. We also ran Live Links to BMW Oracle TV and Alinghi TV that gave browsers access to the International Internet broadcaster and opened a whole new chapter on how the worlds media goes forward into the future. It was great to be involved and the TV coverage of Race 2 is now being shown on the Asian ESPN / Star Sports channel. What a beauty!

It's a pity we only have two races to bring you as the dueling swordsmen could not even agree on extending it to the 'Best of Five' races before the event started. There is a lot more technical issues to deal with when you win an Edition of the AC and having the resources to run a 150 plus International Match Racing Team than meets the eye.

Some friends managed to watch bits of the EUROSPORT action before falling in and out of sleep. Others were mystified by these huge beasts and what they were doing there. One child wondered what these insect like preying mantis and spiders were doing on the TV. Whatever imagery it leaves behind for the general public to absorb the sailing world now have plenty of new things to mull over.

We have compiled most of the website action including Quotes from Skippers and Crew that appeared on our screens plus posted the AY Race 1 Photo Gallery when the AY Race Log went Live.... As the America's Cup is considered the Creme de la Creme in yacht racing achievements amongst the upper echelons of society, we have treated this final AY Race 2 & Roundup edition with the great respect it deserves.

After years of squabbling it was all over so quickly that we extended our Live Online time to include 'Where does the AC go from here?' and process all the material and edit images before we rapped it up with this AY Roundup and sent it to our faithful Newsletter subscribers. The front page has reverted back to the regular postings. So this is what 'Going Live' is all about? Thank you for the wonderful experience as this subject is very close to the heart of most old salts, I happen to know. Check out the AY Pre-Race 2 Update and AY Race 1 Log that got things going for us in the media coverage. Daily racing images have been complied into the AY Race 1 Photo Gallery, Race 2 & Roundup Photo Gallery
Enjoy
Capt Marty Rijkuris

33rd AC - What the Teams have to say...

BMW ORACLE Racing Team’s revolutionary wing sail powered trimaran USA-17, convincingly won Race 2 off Valencia and win the 33rd America’s Cup match outright. The American team, founded ten years ago by software mogul Larry Ellison, achieved its ultimate goal when they powered across the finish line with a margin of 5 minutes and 26 seconds to defeat the Swiss Defender’s Alinghi 2-0. Ellison sailed on board USA today, his first America’s Cup Match race proving a winning one.

Aussie skipper and helmsman James Spithill said “It’s an amazing feeling - The amount of work the whole team has put into this boat and now go two races without any issues – you just have to hand it to the shore guys, the boat builders and all of the support team and designers. They gave us an awesome tool.”

Team founder and afterguard member Larry Ellison added “It’s absolutely an awesome feeling - I’m really proud to be part of this team. I couldn’t be more proud.”

San Francisco’s Golden Gate Yacht Club becomes the 28th American Defender of the America’s Cup and it returns to the USA after 15 years absence.

The only untoward incident was reported by veteran AC expert and UK yachting correspondent Bob Fisher on Sail-World - On board the committee boat, the SNG members refused to handle the flags for the late starting Race 2. It was left to the Golden Gate YC observer Tom Ehman and a chase boat driver to run the flags as PRO Harold Bennett counted down himself. The reason for the SNG spat was unclear, but it has been suggested that they would have preferred not to race. The GGYC representative said: 'I will not comment on it, except to say that it was the most disgraceful behavior I have ever encountered.'

Sir Russell Coutts, CEO of BMW ORACLE Racing, has now won the America’s Cup four times, twice with his native New Zealand, once at the helm of the Swiss Alinghi team and now masterminding the success of Ellison’s American team.

In the evening twilight the giant black and white trimaran USA speared across the finish line off Valencia, a long way ahead of the Swiss team who first won the America’s Cup in New Zealand in 2000 and then successfully defended it against Emirates Team New Zealand in July 2007.

Alinghi put forth a tremendous effort today in its attempt to defend the 33rd America's Cup. The Swiss team from the Société Nautique de Genève led for most of the first leg of the triangular course, but couldn't hold off the Challenger BMW Oracle Racing as they flew away into the sunset.

Team president and principal helmsman Ernesto Bertarelli congratulated his competitor after the race: “Congratulations to the BMW Oracle team. The boat was faster, there's no question about that.” Most significant moment: “The best part is not actually having the silver trophy, the best thing is having a team which is successful, which has a spirit, which wins...goodness knows we won. If there's any team over the last 10 years that has won, it's Alinghi.

Now, these last two races we did not win. We were disadvantaged. We didn't have a boat quite fast enough. But I think with what we were given, with the odds we had, we did our best and we showed we were not going to lie down and give up and forfeit. We just wanted to fight as hard as we could and that's what we did. We exit with our head high and proud of our achievement so far.”

Will you continue? “It's not for me to decide the future of the Cup anymore. I will wait to see where the future is going to take us and then I will decide.”

Brad Butterworth, team skipper and tactician “We were a bit disappointed the whole thing is over in two races, but you have to hand it to Oracle. What they wound up with is like a plane, not a boat. So they deserve to beat us. They went very fast and sailed well. Give all credit to them.”

Where does the AC go from here?

Larry Ellison (USA) BMW ORACLE Racing Team founder ….His thoughts on possible venues for the 34th America’s Cup in response to questions about San Francisco and Valencia: “ I think we are open to considering a lot of options. We will talk to San Francisco, to Valencia…..Valencia have been fantastic hosts for the last two America’s Cups. And as you know we pushed very hard to hold this Cup in Valencia. It was not the Defender’s first choice, and overall we enjoyed sailing the 32nd and the 33rd America’s Cup in Valencia.”

Larry Ellison (USA) afterguard BMW ORACLE Racing Team ….on speculation about a Challenger of Record:
“All I would like to say is that we definitely have a Challenger of Record. One thing I would like to assure people about the 34th America’s Cup. There will be a completely independent jury and umpires. Also an independent group which manages the next America’s Cup and there will be a level playing field for all competitors.” More is expected to be revealed at the Press Conference tomorrow, however it could be some time before full details of the next America's Cup are announced. It is expected that Louis Vuitton will resume their involvement in the Challenger Selection Series and tie it in with the present Louis Vuitton Trophy series. Rumors abound that Vincenzo Onorato's Mascalzone Latino Team had confirmed that Yacht Club Roma were the Challenger of Record. No decision had been made as to the venue and which year the next America's Cup will be held.

Russell Coutts (NZL) CEO of BMW ORACLE Racing Team.
“ Of course we would like to see Alinghi back as a challenger. They are one of the best teams in this business, and they have proven that. I think that the Cup boats we should reach consensus with the rest of the America’s Cup world. I think it would be irresponsible for one party to try and make a decision on behalf of the everyone else. You need to put a lot of thought into this. This is a 159 year old trophy and let’s look after it.”

33rd AC - AY Race 2 Log goes Live...

BMW Oracle 2 - Alinghi 5 Zip

18:43 AC33 will go down in the AY Records as "A fantastic finale to this historic DOG match up."

18 40 Word from the water according Kiwi Peter Montgomery (The voice of the AC) is that Alinghi will not proceed with the protest. A new chapter begins as Larry Ellison finally succeeds in taking the Cup back to the USA.

18:32 BMW Oracle takes Race 2 by 5 mins 26 secs after Alinghi completes the penalty. Protest is still with standing. Lots of jubilation onboard the trimaran as they win the 33rd edition of the America's Cup 2-Zip. Coutts remains unbeaten in the America's Cup, winning 15 Cup match races on the trot.

18:13 USA-17 Gybes towards the finish within sight of the finish. Alinghi sailing lower and makes sail change in preparation for 360 penalty turn.

18:07 BMW ORACLE Racing's trimaran, USA, is pulling away from Alinghi's catamaran, A5 as the boats head down the final 13 mile reaching leg to the finish line.

17:55 After leading by 28 seconds around the first mark, BMW ORACLE Racing literally flew down the second leg of the race, extending its lead to 2:44 at the wing mark.

17:53 USA hits 33 knots and extends the lead on Alinghi by using the power of the wing sail. The Swiss are still carrying a penalty and are flying a protest flag

17:37 Halfway down the reaching leg and both boats are fully powered up but BMW ORACLE has extended into a 1900m lead. Alinghi prepares for a sail change.

17:27 Both boats take off immediately surging close to 30 knots of boat speed in around 8 knots of true wind speed. Alinghi gives chase.

17:26 Just before the top mark, the BMW ORACLE Racing crew made a perfect layline call and saw Alinghi cross ahead but cede the inside position at the mark to USA, and that was all the advantage they would need to lead around the top mark by 28 seconds. An extraordinary race, no one expected it to be this close nearly one hour since the start.

17:12 BMW Oracle tacks. Coming together with speed. Alinghi crosses with a 100m lead then tacks. USA-17 sailing up the layline. Higher up Alinghi has a hotter angle but BMW Oracle takes the lead by pointing incredibly high. Very close and absorbing.

17:08 Red Protest flag raised on Alinghi. Closing in on the top mark. Windshift may affect the reaching angles.

17:05 Quite an amazing sight watching these flying machines fully powered up and everyone going for it. Speculation over what is making Alinghi quicker includes a different mainsail, the smaller headsail and better moded with their ballast set up, but they have looked more consistent in the long swell.

16:53 The Swiss holders Alinghi have taken the lead halfway up the first 13 mile beat. It went slightly soft for USA to the left and with a right hand shift, Alinghi has extended to a 300-meter lead.

16:44 First cross and we have really got a yacht race on our hands here. Virtual Eye gives Alinghi a 30m advantage. Loick Peyron has taken over the helm.

16:31 Early advantage for BMW ORACLE Racing on the first leg of Race 2 and the advantage line is giving USA a lead of about 400 meters. The wind at the top mark is at 6 knots, 120-degrees, and 7 knots from 110-degrees at the gybe mark

16:24 Disaster of a start for Alinghi. It's a split tack start, with BMW ORACLE Racing heading out to the left, Alinghi out to the right. A big split compared to Race One. Larry Ellison is added to the crew list.

16:18 Alinghi is very late on the starboard tack entry, allowing BMW ORACLE Racing to sail deep into the box. Penalty on Alinghi, for being in the wrong place during the pre-start. Penalty to Alinghi for 'not being outside its assigned end of the starting line'.

16:14 AP flag down - we're in a start sequence for Race 2. The course axis is set at 100 degrees, with the triangle set up for a starboard rounding

16:01 Harold Bennett has told the teams he's planning to drop the AP postponement flag at 16:14 CET, ahead of a 16:25 start. Reports of near 9 knots at the start line now.

15:30 They are still waiting but as the 16:30 CET start cut off time is rapidly approaching, we may have to wait another couple of days to see the magnificent teams on their flying machines. Maybe time to make up on some of the missed Valentines Day opportunities in Valencia.

14:15 Race is postponed start time to be advised and on the EUROSPORT 1 hourly update, I thought I saw Alinghi back in the marina. So maybe that's it folks for today.

13:59 Postponed, but still positive Principal Race Officer Harold Bennett has told the teams he's still optimistic there will be a race today. 16:30 CET is the latest time he can hold a start, and Harold says he's prepared to wait until then, if necessary. So we continue in a holding pattern.

12:02 Both boats arrived in the start area together. Light winds on the course have forced a further postponement. Waiting for the breeze to shift south and build as forecast.

11:02 The Race Committee boat is on station, but there is no wind and slight northeast swell. Principal Race Officer Harold Bennett has radioed the race boats to 'stand by'

10:00 The forecast for the high noon CET proposed start time, is for very, very light southerlies. The wind is predicted to back around to the southwest and increase to the 6-8 knot range by early afternoon. Like Race 1 a short extension of the current postponement is expected and once the breeze settles racing may get underway around 13:00 to 14:00. That makes the start time about 10 - 11pm in East Asia and something to watch while digesting the Chinese New Year open house festivities.

0904 After Friday’s Race 1 loss, Alinghi team president and principal helmsman Ernesto Bertarelli reflected on his team’s run over the past decade. “When you are in my position with the 10 years that have gone before and the team I have and an opportunity to race one, or maybe two more races in the America’s Cup, you can’t call any day a hard day in the America’s Cup. They are all good days.”

09:00 On the BMW Oracle Docking Out Show the crew were going through some routine checks and quietly confident that they can rap up AC33 by winning today. The big question was if Larry and Russell would stay onboard in their afterguard roles and have the pleasure of racing on their mighty creation in what could be the last race of this 33rd edition.

Quotes of the Day

Race 2 Course and Form Guide

COURSE: Race 2 is a 39nm equilateral triangle course - the first side of which is a 13nm close hauled beat to windward.
FORM GUIDE: Alinghi has the starboard entry advantage and weather permitting may the long reaching legs suit their soft sail rig and flying style. Get ready for some more startline fireworks as Aussie Jimmy Spithill went for the juggler straight away and Touché in round one. Can Alinghi skipper/tactician Brad Butterworth repeat some the magic of past AC campaigns and pull something out of the hat? You can bet your bottom dollar that these two teams are the best sailors in the world and all hell bent of bringing this 2 boat duel to a climax.

AC33 - AY Race 2 & Roundup Photo Gallery now online
Sixty fantastic photos of the Race 2 action, Cup Presentation Ceremony and resultant Press Conference have been posted online in the 33rd AC - AY Race 2 & Roundup Photo Gallery. Photo Credits to Carlo Borlenghi, Guido Trombetta and Luca Butto' from the Alinghi Media Image Bank and add Guilain Grenier to the BMW Oracle Media Team along with Gilles Martin-Raget and Thierry Martinez/Sea&Co for their contribution towards AY producing quality and picturesque news items on the prestigious 33rd America's Cup.

AC33 - AY Race 1 Photo Gallery
Fantastic images from Race 1 of the 33rd America’s Cup in Valencia and a collection of images during the build-up to the Cup have been posted online in the 33rd AC - AY Race 1 Gallery. Full Credit must go to the legendary photographers Gilles Martin-Raget and Thierry Martinez/Sea&Co for sending all the © Free images to compliment the extraordinary achievement we witnessed on the water during Day. They advise that there are many more images on their websites. Go to the AY Photo Library to access other International Regatta Photo Galleries

Goto: 33rd AC - AY Race 2 & Roundup Photo Gallery
33rd AC - AY Pre-Race 2 Update
AY AC33 Race 1 Photo Gallery
33rd AC - AY Race 1 Update, Log & Quotes of the day
33rd AC - AY Pre-Regatta Update

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