HOME -this month at Sailorgirl - the america's cup
For the first time in 152 years, the America's Cup returns to Europe. The new home of the America's Cup is the Société Nautique de Genève in landlocked Switzerland after the Swiss team swept the New Zealand boat in 5 straight races.
Alinghi, the Swiss Syndicate sailed through the nine syndicates in the Louis Vuitton Challenger Series over three months to win and then defeated Team New Zealand for the Cup in the best five of nine races.
Team
New Zealand was beset with catastrophe and did not finish two of the five
races. Mast failure, jibs breaking down, a boom shattered all aided to
demoralize Barker and crew, young and not always able under the numerous
legs of stress and strain watching the stern of Alinghi in front by several
lengths. Something, somewhere went terribly wrong in two years of design,
testing, training and development. Bury the gossip and feelings in re
Coutts and others sailing for another nation. All professional sports
today hire the best from every nation. New Zealand has had the limelight
for eight years and done an overall superb job of hosting the America's
Cup, a great touristic and financial shot in the arm. Now, class will
show rethinking, rebuilding, redesigning, refinancing, retraining and
redevelopment for the next Cup Races in 2007. Why the flawless win for
Alinghi ? RUSSELL COUTTS, BRAD BUTTERWORTH, ERNESTO BERTARELLI and JOCHEN
SCHUEMANN, proven sailing medalists and world champions, directed a professional
workhorse crew that smoothly, efficiently responded as a unified team,
period. No more need be said, no errors, a proud triumph. Now a new era
emerges for the America's Cup with it's return to Europe.
WHEN - The Swiss Syndicate, now holder of the Cup has announced SUMMER 2007.
WHERE - Consider Spain, France and Italy as possibilities? Why not the UK at the Isle of Wight, site of the original America's Cup in 1851, Queen Victoria wont make it this time but the world, hopefully peaceful in 2007 will! Mr. Bertarelli, give this serious consideration, a grand gesture on your part. What a venue this would be, perfect timing for media coverage, the sailing world on and offshore would be spectators, sponsors may make as many as 15 syndicates for competition in the Challenger series, the UK, a no brainer in my opinion.
Who - LARRY ELLISON'S Oracle Racing has been named as the American Challenger of Record, good showing in the Challenger Races the reason.
