2 May 2016
Cup Experience Monday News
In this issue:
New York AC World Series - More Details
US Sailor Matt Cassidy On Board Oracle in NY
The Nationality Debate, and Some History
Ask Jack: I liked the "old AC" better.
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New York America's Cup World Series this Weekend
The yellow lines show the race area for the New York America's Cup World Series, with spectator boat areas to the north and south.
The America's Cup World Series comes to New York this weekend. Thursday is a training day, with practice racing on Friday. Official racing will be on Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 3:30 pm. This New York Times article gives info on where to watch. It mentions watching from the Statue of Liberty, but that is at least a mile from the closest part of the race area. You'll be better off watching from the event village at Brookfield Place. You could also try to book a table next to the window at the restaurant in the Hyatt at Exchange Place in Jersey City, right next to the PATH train station. Circle Line offers a spectator cruise with two levels of ticketing are available – a Spectator Ticket and a VIP Ticket. Information here.
For more info and maps, check out my earlier articles on the event, here and here.
US Sailor Matt Cassidy on Board Oracle in New York
American Matt Cassidy will race on board Oracle Team USA in New York this coming weekend. Before joining Oracle, Cassidy was a member of world champion crews in 2011 in the TP52, the World Match Racing Tour and the RC44. Matt grew up in Florida, raced in college in South Carolina and turned pro in San Diego, then moved to Chicago, where he spent seven years before joining Oracle.
Meet Matt Cassidy video.
#TeamThursday: Matt Cassidy
Watch the Video
1,423 views
Nationality and the America's Cup - Always Good for a Debate
The debate about nationality rules always stirs passions. Having a strict nationality requirement for the crew would probably boost audience interest, like for the Olympics and the football (soccer) World Cup. But it would also reduce participation and make it hard or impossible for new countries to compete.
What few people realize is that crew nationality rules were introduced only in 1980 and were dropped 10 years ago. In 1895 and 1899 when American fisherman from Deer Isle, Maine were the crews on "Defender" and "Columbia," they made news, since crews on US defenders before and after were often Scandinavians.
Charlie Barr, skipper of "Columbia" and later of "Reliance," was Scottish born. Even "America" had a British pilot on board to navigate around the Isle of Wight in 1851. Barr was a pure professional. He didn't hesitate to go back to Scandinavian crews for the 1901 and 1903 defenses. Barr would certainly agree with the current philosophy of hiring the best sailors, regardless of nationality.
For the 2017 America's Cup we have three mostly national teams - Land Rover BAR, Groupama Team France and Emirates Team New Zealand - and three mostly international teams - Oracle Team USA, Artemis Racing and SoftBank Team Japan.
What do you think about nationality requirements? Send me your comments and in a few weeks I'll report back on what I hear from you
Jack Asks: Will you help me, please?
This newsletter goes to over 15,000 people. You are in the 30% reading it this week. Or maybe you are even part of the 15% who read all four newsletters in April. Would you do me a favor please? If there's anything you don't like, tell me. And, if there's anything you do like, tell a friend. Forward this to them and suggest they subscribe using this button...
Reader Questions to "Ask Jack"
Ask me anything about the America's Cup! I don't claim to know all the answers, but I usually can find someone with the information.
Just reply to this email, or use the "Ask Jack" page on my website.
Hello Jack, I liked the old AC better. These boats are like watching 300 H.P. speed boats. One mistake and you've lost the race. I know i'm in the minority on this but the days or nights of three hour races had a lot more tension. I watch the new class but it's like I'm on a local lake watching Hobies.
Al in the US
Hi Al,
You are not alone in your feelings! There are many people who have the same reaction. I for one miss the pre-start duels and the coordination of the crew on spinnaker sets and drops. That said, many of my readers and I have really got immersed in both the technology and the sailing techniques to race these boats. The choreography of raising and lowering the boards and tacking or gybing the wing is harder to see than, say a spinnaker drop, but it is fascinating. And, I predict that when we get to match racing in Bermuda in 2017 the sailing will be much more interesting than the fleet racing in the one design AC45F's. Choosing when to foot for speed to lift off on the foils, making last second tactical decisions about which gate mark to round - and then executing the maneuver - will give us lots to be excited about. In 2013 the teams were just learning to sail these boats well. In 2017 they will be showing us how well they have learned to race them. You’re obviously a fan of the AC. I think if you continue to dig into some of the details that I have been writing about you’ll come to appreciate it more!
Thanks for your questions! Keep ‘em coming!
Best,
Jack
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