Americas Cup

[paul.norton]

Was that a Hurley 22 getting tangled with one of the competitors?

 

[snowleopard]

I couldn't see a name on it. A very good argument for not putting your name on the dodgers!

I bet they got a *******ing from QHM.

 

[Prospect and Sunray]

Don't know who it was, but why will they get QHM on their case? They (there were 2 yachts) were not deliberately on the wrong side of the course, and they have no way of knowing if they are on the right or wrong side unless a marshall tells them they are on the course. I would have thought it was very embarassing for the yacht and maybe a lesson learnt for the organisers to patrol the race limits more?

 

[r_h]

The commentary feed I was listening to (there's more than one on the America's Cup youtube channel) reckoned James Spithill had sailed outside the race area boundary.

 

[Mvu]

Yes, it was a Hurley 22, called Mvu, I am the owner and skipper at the time of the collision.

Prospect and Sunray, you are right, I was out side of the course in the spectator area. This was then confirmed by marshals after the race, who added that as the course boundaries between this and the first set of races had changed, (allowing for a larger spectator area to the east), there was some confusion amongst the racers as to the boundaries.

None the less there was a collision, but with no damage to either boat. All in all, quite embarrassing. If any one has a link to some footage of the incident, please could you post it, I would rather like to see it from another perspective.

 

[Mvu]

Yes it was a Hurley 22 called Mvu from Plymouth. I am the owner and skipper at the time of the incident.

There was no discussion with QHM. I was in fact in the designated spectator area at the time which was confirmed by a race marshal after the day's races.

James Spithill had taken his boat into the spectator area (I believe in some confusion, as the spectator area had moved from when the races had first started. Thus allowing less room for the racer).

My Hurley was with respect to Oracle's point of view hidden behind a Bavaria 35 of which she narrowly missed. Fortunately there was no damage to either boat.

If any one has any footage or photographs of the incident, please post them, would be good to see it from another perspective.

 

[SimbaDog]

The commentary feed I was listening to (there's more than one on the America's Cup youtube channel) reckoned James Spithill had sailed outside the race area boundary.

No, they were inside the boundary (just)! There is supposed to be a 50M clearance zone outside of that, the error was with the patrol boats
Seemed a bit surprising as there are lots of them out there.

This from yesterday: Great spectating

 

[egdbeb]

According to one of the race marshalls they were outside the boundary!

 

[Lakesailor]

Have you seen the BBC report. Capsizing drill.

 

[Tradewinds]

Have you seen the BBC report. Capsizing drill.

Great fun.

but

They all seem to be wearing helmets - so that'll be the next thing then . . .

RNLI telling us we should be wearing helmets as well as lifejackets whenever we untie from the pontoon.

(waits for incoming )

Edit: Just noticed they don't seem to be wearing lifejackets

 

[lw395]

I'd say they were wearing buoyancy aids under lycra jerseys.
Keeps everything compact and low windage with no bits to snag on the rigging.

 

[Lakesailor]

One bloke does get a huge wack from the boom. Helmets maybe a good idea.

 

[Tradewinds]

I didn't suggest they weren't a good idea for this sort of extreme sailing - I'd definitely wear one if I was taking part - it's a long way to fall when you capsize!

 

[sarabande]

Doesn't it seems a bit obvious that those cats lack buoyancy up at the forward end of the bows ?


It was a lesson we learned with B and C class cats in the 60s.

 

[r_h]

Doesn't it seems a bit obvious that those cats lack buoyancy up at the forward end of the bows ?

Yes, definitely - the shape of the bows looks completely wrong. Though I'd guess the argument is they are optimised for lighter weather, so that the racing is still interesting to watch when there's not so much breeze.

 

[truscott]

Actually, the shape of the bows is completely right. We have learnt a hell of a lot about wave piercing design in cats from what was vogue in the 60's and 70's. To see what works nowadays check out the A class scene. You'll see what the 72's will be striving to emulate.

PT.

Just because it's new, doesn't make it wrong.

 

[Prospect and Sunray]

The bows on a cat will always be narrow and lacking in boyancy. The AC45's seem to use the same hull design as the Nacra Capricorn F18, where the hull is relatively flat underneath to give better upward drive and quite pointed on the topside to reduce the pitch poling moment when the bows bury.
I am loving the action and the tv coverage is very good. I was a little surprised that (although up wind performance excepted) the top speed is pretty similar to the Tornado and Hurricane 5.9 but much more expensive at £800k.

 

[sarabande]

Actually, the shape of the bows is completely right.

So £800000 cats that fall over when the leeward bow goes in the water are designed right ? Since there is no variation in design, all these boats will do the same, and that reverse stem acts as a trip step when it is immersed. It needs some flare to lift it.

 

[Adonnante]

So £800000 cats that fall over when the leeward bow goes in the water are designed right ? Since there is no variation in design, all these boats will do the same, and that reverse stem acts as a trip step when it is immersed. It needs some flare to lift it.

You could make a fortune and win the Americas Cup for the UK with your knowledge!

Peter.

 

[sarabande]

un-capsizing a 72ft Am Cup cat is going to be a different kettle of fish from righting a 1.5 tonne 45ft one. If you look at the videos of them falling over (it's not capsizing) the leeward bow is immersed, the boat rounds up to wind, and then trips up as the bow goes deeper into the water.

But then, I suppose you could always make the wing masts smaller for the rough stuff, as windsurfers do.