Americas Cup in the Solent?

Iota · 3 Mar 2003

BBC Radio Solent are reporting this am that Cowes are considering entering into negotiation with the Swiss for the defence of the cup, also saying that part of the negotiation would include facilities in Portsmouth Harbour and Southampton.

Is it likely that the Swiss would want to hold it in the Solent when it is likely that a UK challenge will be mounted...

Could really mess up the recreational sailing!!!!!

Iota

<hr width=100% size=1>Courtesy is an iota but makes the world go round<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Iota on 03/03/2003 07:42 (server time).</FONT></P>

StephenSails · 3 Mar 2003

There was a piece in the Sunday Times confirming what you just said, it seems Peter Harrison is trying to do some deal with the Swiss. Personally I think this would be great for the local economy and sailing in Britain in general, you never know, someone might even televise it!

As for the recreational side of things, not sure what the problem is?

I say bring it on!

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MADFISH · 3 Mar 2003

I doubt the solent. Much more likely the racing would take place in Christchurch Bay. Less of a tidal infuance there than in the Solent.

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Twister_Ken · 3 Mar 2003

Christchurch Bay

Maybe that's the excuse that's needed to dredge out Christchurch Harbour, and make it into a proper yottieport, not a dreadful mudhole full of Bayliners, bilge keelers and non-descript wading birds.

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Guest · 3 Mar 2003

Shirley Smart, described as leader of Isle of Wight County Council, is reported as having put in a bid for venue of Am Cup! She must be fairly ignorant or poorly briefed on the requirements for the modern contest.
Around the island for starters: water too shallow for current IACC boats, frontage required for up to a dozen complete slips with sheds and back up berthing for multiple challengers and support boats, masses of reasonable accommodation, decent restaurants and eateries of international standard, major airport and heliport adjacent, limited period of summer weather, clearance from shipping, regular boaters etc etc.........
A possible English base might be Portland, but it's dreary with two prisons!
The winning syndicate has announced that a location will be decided by December 2003. The Med is the best guess.

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tcm · 3 Mar 2003

Quite agree. I think also the calls for it to be off portugal are folorn.

The french are so sailing mad that it would likely be there, I think. It'll be a good excuse to fix up the southern coast of the gulf of St tropez, next to Cogolin where there's currently a disused factory thing, extend the breakwater, build a motorway to reach nearer st trop, and otherwise use tons of nice french taxes to make it all quite a splendid affair.

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Sybarite · 3 Mar 2003

I would have thought the Brittany coast a better choice eg Lorient where you have the submarine pens and naval dockyards where the French challenge was based and where the round the world multihulls are prepared.

The sheltered water inside the Ile de Groix would allow racing through a wide range of weather conditions and the the winds are more dependable than in the Med where you have either too much wind or none at all.

John

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Cornishman · 3 Mar 2003

The Swiss Cruising Club is based at Cherbourg and the Swiss sailing fraternity has for many a long year had connections with France. After all, about a third of the Swiss speak French as their #1 language!
I can't see it coming to the UK. We can't even make up our minds whether to bid for the Olympics!

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Guest · 3 Mar 2003

Doesn't anybody realise there isn't enough VHF capacity left in the Solent for such an event?

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Guest · 3 Mar 2003

Next AC in Lorient??
Sounds like an excellant idea, we should start a campaign to ensure it comes to Lorient. I just hope I have my berth at Kernevel before then!!!
Good sailing conditions, the fine French culture, cuisine and very friendly people. Very different from the Solent!!

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Guest · 3 Mar 2003

Fully agreed with Cornishman and Flubbadub. Shirley Smart, Isle of Wight Council, hasn't a clue. Perhaps she wants to raise funds to built another public convenience on the Cowes waterfront.

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Sybarite · 3 Mar 2003

Berths are available at Locmiquélic across the bay.

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Shanty · 3 Mar 2003

Americas Cup in the Solent - thought this was a joke. Having read the thread so far, I'm convinced its a joke. If you really want this to happen, go out & win the cup - its your only hope.

If the Swiss were looking for a UK venue (which I'm sure they aren't), the Clyde would look a far better proposition.

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Gunfleet · 3 Mar 2003

I don't see those IOW ferries giving way to racing boats under ANY circumstances

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Twister_Ken · 3 Mar 2003

Please go to Channel 72 to continue this discussion

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Twister_Ken · 3 Mar 2003

Radical thought

Why don't they fleet race for it, on a once-round-the-Island basis. Round the Nab as well of course!

I believe it's been done before (omitting the Nab in the case of the schooner America).

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qsiv · 3 Mar 2003

Quite right - if there isnt enough money - just increase their taxes, the obviously like them so much a few more won't hurt!

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Iota · 4 Mar 2003

A few observations on the Solent. Plently of depth for racing, none of the old or new boats had problems in the centenary in 2000. Facilities well yes work would need to be done for the crews and boats but that is true of everywhere. Plenty of potential in Portsmouth, Cowes, Southampton water, with all the current redevlopement in plan and going on. Plus I expect that one or two of the yards would also make facilities available. Campers, Moodys, Hamble Point etc etc can lift very large boats now, saw Royalist ashore at Campers last year - fully rigged.... Good restuarants there are a few excellant ones in Cowes and Portsmouth today and if AC came to the Solent I expect a few mediocre ones would raise their game. So not sure what your gripe is , certainly not based on fact.

<hr width=100% size=1>Courtesy is an iota but makes the world go round

tcm · 4 Mar 2003

Re: restaurant gripe

have to contest the assertion that there are "excellent" restaurants in Cowes. The ability to keep almost all the chips and peas on the plate all the way to your table does not consitutue a good restaurant, imho.

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Badger · 4 Mar 2003

Re: restaurant gripe

What about the Doner kebab shop in the High St and the Pizza Express in the Harbour Fights pub ???

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