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Forum Index: DISCUSSION: Dock Talk:
34th AC -- Suggestions 		Team McLube

 
 


rt_/)
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Feb 20, 2010, 10:57 AM

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34th AC -- Suggestions Log-In to Post/Reply
I have some suggestions for the folks putting together the rules for AC 34:

1. Four words: More marks, shorter legs. Sailing 13-20 miles in, essentially, straight lines is boring to watch. Long legs increase the field of play so much that races become even more boring & difficult for media to cover. Turning marks bring boats together and show off boat-handling skills.

2. Multi-hulls aren't the boat of choice for match racing, which should be as much about tactics & boat-handling as straight-line speed. AC33 demonstrated how lack of maneuverability forced the boats to avoid sailing in close quarters, taking Part 2 of the RRS (When Boats Meet) mostly out of play. If you want speed, how about monohulls like big Australian or European skiffs? Or, foiling Moths? Or, both wings and lifting foils? Now, that would be exciting -- if a bit Darwinian.

3. The boats need to be more sea-worthy. The idea that sailing in normal sea and wind conditions is "too dangerous" needs to go away. Much of this could be achieved with a real challenger series, which would encourage design/build with survivability as an important factor.

-rt_/)


EaglesPDX
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Feb 20, 2010, 12:48 PM

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Re: [rt_/)] 34th AC -- Suggestions [In reply to] Log-In to Post/Reply
1. The multihulls completed the longer race courses faster than the monohulls completed shorter race courses. Faster boats are always more fun to watch than slower boats.

2. Media had no problem covering the race. Same technology applies. Everyone needs virtual sailing software to tell who is winning. Most of the media watched the race in the media center since you could see the most and had the most information. Sail boat racing is made for TV.

3. AC 33 "debunked" as PJ Montgomery put it, all the unfounded objections to multi hulls match racing. AC races have always been fastest boat wins vs. boat handling and tactics. Butterworth's comment to that effect played back to him in the press conference. Mitch Booth explains it after race 1 http://www.sailingworld.com/...oney-1000080427.html

4. Multi hulls are the most sea worthy which is why the big fast around the world ocean racers use multihulls to go fast in the worst conditions.

5. Deed of Gift says 40-115 feet depending on one mast or two. No other limits. Bring whatever boat you think will win it. Guarantee you the winner will be a multi hull. America's Cup is all about the fastest boat wins, always has been.


Mal
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Feb 21, 2010, 8:08 AM

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Re: [EaglesPDX] 34th AC -- Suggestions [In reply to] Log-In to Post/Reply
Eagles; as soon as you say; "no other limits", you have, in effect, said that the person or entity with the most money to commit will win. You have also removed the vast majority of potential participants and likely, the race will be a run away. Again, there is compromise to be had that can keep wide international interest for both national spirit and the excitement of high performance sailing while allowing for technical innovation. All it takes is a good agreement between defender and challenger. The Deed is a place to start but the key is compromise.

We gotta stop with the unseaworthiness comments; for that matter most all the criticisms of AC 33 boats as they apply to 34. I hope they will continue to sail; I have really enjoyed sailing IACC boats and would like to have a go at USA 17, but they will not be in AC 34. Set the venue and time and the boats will be designed for the same. RAK and Valencia in Feb are one thing and San Fran off shore is another. Even then, if the boats both decide not to race; they don't have to race. It's simply what's in the agreement between challenger and defender, that agreement is the key to the America's cup.

The basic elements of match racing in cats is the same as match racing in monos. While it's true that speeds are much higher, if the boats are well matched, the elements of match racing are still there; different but there. See Mitch Booth's podcast on the Sailing World site.
Check Six .......Mal




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