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Post by raptor22 on Oct 7, 2002 10:58:31 GMT -5
well the great sailing event is taking place for the 31st time. Onlt two countries have ever won it from the New York Yacht club and Only one has successfully defended it. So Far Alinghi Challenge, One world and Oracle BMW seem to be the leading protagonists. Who do you think will go through to challenge NZL 82 helmed by Dean Barker in February net year? Would'nt it be Ironic if it is Russell Coults and his Alinghi Challenge. My money is on NeW Zealand to retain it.
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Post by Danny Boy on Oct 7, 2002 11:03:44 GMT -5
Cant see any boat to challenge the NZ boats. They have been in a class of their own for the last 8 years.
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Post by Henrik on Oct 7, 2002 14:30:16 GMT -5
The Alinghi Challenge is getting a lot of coverage here, being the Swiss entry. I have to say I am pleasantly surprised by the level of both the Swiss and the Swedish entry, but seeing them actually winning the cup... Mind you, I would love for Alinghi to win it. Then maybe I could get to see those beautiful boats race here in our lake in a few years. I can dream... Actually, I still remember how I could see the previous Swiss entry train in the lake from my office window. Used to make my day.
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Post by raptor22 on Oct 8, 2002 9:29:27 GMT -5
Yes they Alinghi challenge is definately one of the favourites! Their performance yesterday in light air is really something the opposition should be concerned about. One world and Oracle also seem to have boats suited to the conditions around this time of year. I guess the proof of the pudding will be when they start racing their 2nd and new boats.
Team NewZealand is a bit of an unknown at the moment. They have had a late start due to lack of funding and loss of key staff but the foundation is still strong. I wonder what effect the theft of key knowledge will have on their on water performance against One World and alinghi. At the moment they are trialing NZL-60 against NZL-81 until NZL-82 is ready. If they hold on the cup this time I doubt they're going to loose it in a hurry.
The Swedes are looking good with Orn. The new boat, SWE-73 is said to be quicker.
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Post by Henrik on Oct 8, 2002 10:01:09 GMT -5
Just love a beautiful sail boat in action!
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Post by JWK on Oct 12, 2002 7:50:00 GMT -5
On my lunch break yesterday i ran into a couple of the Team NZ guys and they seemed completely carefree- i overheard a little of their conversation as i was waiting in line with them and they sound pretty confident about the strenght of the team.
Personally i think they will have a bit of a challenge on their hands this year and not all will be plain sailing(ghastly pun!) as many seem to think, and certainly the loss of those members and the knowledge that went with them hurts, but it isn't anything so major to cripple the defence attempt.
I hope NZ retain the cup for the tiny bit of economic boost the country gains out of it. Plus its good to have some added characters wandering the city(yachties can be pretty classic characters, especially if they are on a piss-up the night before a race!)
See ya.
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Post by raptor22 on Oct 30, 2002 8:39:30 GMT -5
well the 1st RR has come and gone. The 2nd is now well under way and surprise surprise, it's One world Alinghi Prada Victory are the top 4 syndicates trouble at Oracle, Gbr getting better but not fast enough, TDC is disappointing tosay the least Mascalzone are brilliant in prestart manuvring but lack outright boat speed to stay in the competition, And De Defi Arriva, what Can I say, Boat speed does'nt seem to hold for the duration of the course, and not very well sailed compared to the opposition.
Seems that the 'Stolen NZL60 Info is really helping One World , and half the NZL 60 crew onboard Alinghi is makiing this an interesting regatta.
My Money is on Alinghi. They still have their 2nd boat in hand (One world are already sailing theirs) and they seem to have as good if not a better crew.
Would'nt that be special. Two New Zealanders helming the Challenger and the defender. Must be the first time in history. Could even be a New zealander LVC final as well if Oracle make it instead of Prada or One World.
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Post by Henrik on Dec 20, 2002 12:29:06 GMT -5
I just had to update this one!!
The Swiss entry, Alinghi, is the first boat to go on to the finals, having slaughtered first Prada and now Oracle in the semi's!! 4-0 in each match!!
Watch out New Zealanders, the cup is going to find a new home soon, and it will be right here, at the Lac Léman!!
Man, I can't wait to see those boats battle here...
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Post by daSilva on Dec 20, 2002 12:34:46 GMT -5
LOL The America's Cup on a pond. ;D
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Post by Henrik on Dec 20, 2002 12:40:41 GMT -5
ROFL @ da Silva!!
Okay, they might have to redesign the boats so they can at least turn around!!
Now I know the Lac Léman is not Lake Ontario, but I don't believe there was a Canadian entry, or and English one for that matter.
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Post by greg99 on Dec 20, 2002 13:04:03 GMT -5
AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!!!!! The Lake Léman is NOT a pond!!!!!
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Post by daSilva on Dec 20, 2002 13:12:43 GMT -5
LOL@ Greg, Considering I live two mintues from a Great Lake, I do consider Lac Leman to be a pond. Hehehe. We could always fit Switzerland into one of our lakes.
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Post by Henrik on Jan 4, 2003 12:23:21 GMT -5
What's with the New Zealanders?
Just heard on the news that the NZ crew members of the Swiss boat, Alinghi, have received serious death threats to themselves and their family members if they continue to support Alinghi!!
Whatever happened to the sport? This is nuts, and sick!!
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Post by NorthCoast on Jan 4, 2003 21:04:05 GMT -5
daSilva, I live a minute from the same "Great Lake" as you, and you're right, Switzerland would make a nice 1001 Island! LOL!! Henrik, thank you for the great photo. Beauty under full sail has always amused me. F1 on the water, where rules are never bigger than nature. Long live the Great Lake Ontario!!!
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Post by raptor22 on Jan 6, 2003 7:47:59 GMT -5
Only problem with Alinghi winning the cup is that they cannot host it in Switzerland. The Deed of gift states that the Ameraica's Cup must be held on sea water. It raises an interesting prospect, because if Alinghi win they could actually defend the cup in Auckland NewZealand, it's current home. Or Any other place in the world they choose. Would that be interesting. The Swiss defending the America's cup, won by a swiss built yacht, designed by a newzealander, sailed by new zealanders, in New zealand.
The lesson Russel Coutts is trying to teach Team New Zealand is quite clear...
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