Designers Shift Gears: Focus on the AC 72

[PD Staff]

The Oracle Racing brain trust gathers in Auckland to focus on the 72'

[deep6]

I wonder if 30 knots of wind with a 5 knot ebb is in there design specifications?

[Slackwater_SF]

The 45 footers are OK+.

The 45 footers are easier
on logistics and probably
faster to build than 72'

Nice video,

[Slackwater_SF]

I wonder if 30 knots of wind with a 5 knot ebb is in there design specifications?

We will find out.

Maybe no worries about 30 knots TWS.
I suggest the teams and RC will be reasonable
about sailing conditions.

[bowline]

Nice video - good to get a glimpse of the team and the challenges.

Go OR !!

These are going to be amazing machines.

[Shife]

Is this forum "safe"? Will I be stalked by a drug addled amateur photog if I don't tattoo 'Team America' on my forehead here?

[bowline]

Not safe at all.

You are guaranteed to be stalked and taunted if you post anything remotely questionable, but not by that amateur photog. The resident here is worse.

You do have alternatives.

[IOR Geezer]

Bring on the 72's! Best thing to hit the Bay since Ruby was a floating brothel!

[Shife]

Not safe at all.

You are guaranteed to be stalked and taunted if you post anything remotely questionable, but not by that amateur photog. The resident here is worse.

You do have alternatives.

What are my alternatives? I'm not looking to root for any team. I don't see anything thing that looks like a team in the AC anymore. Just billionaire vs. billionaire. I find the technology interesting, but the rest of the AC has become a joke. Perhaps if the AC returns to a Nation vs. Nation format I could support a team, but for now I couldn't care less who wins.

[Surf City Racing]

I wonder if 30 knots of wind with a 5 knot ebb is in there design specifications?

Yes they are! Stand by for more on that.

[Old Codger]

What are my alternatives? I'm not looking to root for any team. I don't see anything thing that looks like a team in the AC anymore. Just billionaire vs. billionaire. I find the technology interesting, but the rest of the AC has become a joke. Perhaps if the AC returns to a Nation vs. Nation format I could support a team, but for now I couldn't care less who wins.

The nationality relationship/connection can be sketchy ... The great great grandfather of the man that cut the graphics for the wing on USA17 had a housekeeper for a while that was Latvian so I supported that team. Was that a stretch?

Even if you don't care who wins, there's going to be some serious racing that will be more than a little interesting to watch. Hopefully enough publicity for the sport that I won't get asked why I'm going sailing instead of doing something else.

[MDD]

What are my alternatives? I'm not looking to root for any team. I don't see anything thing that looks like a team in the AC anymore. Just billionaire vs. billionaire. I find the technology interesting, but the rest of the AC has become a joke. Perhaps if the AC returns to a Nation vs. Nation format I could support a team, but for now I couldn't care less who wins.

Shife, when hasn't it been ridiculously rich vs. ridiculously rich? Welcome to the America's Cup. I too, would like to see more semblance of nationalism. I am not fooled into thinking this is an 'every day sailor sailing event'. It never has been and never will be. I feel that is part of what makes it special and storied. I wish there was less focus on making money off the event via trying to make it appealing to everyone. Too much change will just make the event more like any other event. I am okay with the cats, but not okay with the whole one design series and multi-nationalism of 'national' teams. Just my .02

[bowline]

What are my alternatives? I'm not looking to root for any team. I don't see anything thing that looks like a team in the AC anymore. Just billionaire vs. billionaire. I find the technology interesting, but the rest of the AC has become a joke. Perhaps if the AC returns to a Nation vs. Nation format I could support a team, but for now I couldn't care less who wins.

You just have to accept it for what it is, the AC, or track some other event.

[Born 2 Sail]

Look at it like nascar. Who cares who wins, it's the carnage that makes the 10:00 news.

[Sanity Check]

Look at it like nascar. Who cares who wins, it's the carnage that makes the 10:00 news.

You just said a mouthful. The sad truth is that one really good crack-up will ensure America's Cup sailing popularity for the masses.