Cup Experience Monday News
Issue 16 | 16 May 2016 In this issue:
SoftBank Team Japan Celebrates Base Opening
How Emirates Team New Zealand Won in New York
A Personal Look at What Drives Larry Ellison
Who Has the Fastest Test AC45X in Bermuda? Guess Again!
Ask Jack: Why is Bermuda's water so blue?
Roof Wetting Party at SoftBank Team Japan
General Manager Kazuhiko "Fuku" Sofuku proposed a toast - CEO Dean Barker and Bermuda Premier Michael Dunkley stand ready with glass of sake in hand. In the background you can see the progress on infill for the site of the America's Cup Village in South Basin.
After toasting the new base with sake, Premier Michael Dunkley performs the ceremonial roof wetting with Gosling's Black Seal Rum...
... and then takes the ceremonial swig from the bottle.
The party in full swing, outdoors and indoors. Team mascot Otosan overlooks the proceedings. I explained who Otosan is in a recent newsletter, here.
Team Japan grinder Yuki Kasatani in the boat shed with the wing from their experimental AC45X. Yuki is an elite oarsman, recruited to join the other "muscle and stamina" teammates.
How Emirates Team New Zealand Won in New York
Glenn Ashby explains in this video that the team never gave up, even after they got caught on the starting mark anchor line. ETNZ: Winning in the nick of time
Watch the Video
I caught up with tactician Ray Davies in Bermuda last week and asked him if they positioned themselves to catch that puff on the last leg that launched them to win the race and the regatta. He laughed and said modestly, "Complete luck. That puff found us."
Ray was in Bermuda to scout logistical details to plan the team's move here when the time comes to launch their AC Class race boat.
A Personal Look at What Drives Larry Ellison
Larry Ellison told the graduating class at the University of Southern California how he fell in love with sailing, what he learned from his friend Steve Jobs, and what motivates him. A rare chance to hear it from Ellison himself. Larry Ellison USC Commencement Speech | USC Commencement 2016
Watch the Video
Who Has the Fastest Test AC45X in Bermuda?
Guess Again.
On my last visit to Bermuda, in April, I spent an afternoon on a chase boat, watching Oracle Team USA, Artemis Racing and Softbank Team Japan doing some speed tests together.
With the Dark 'n Stormy's flowing freely at SoftBank Team Japan's party last Saturday, a close observer of the activity in Bermuda claimed that Team Japan currently has the fastest test boat. You may remember a few issues ago I had an article and video about Nick Holroyd, formerly head of design at Emirates Team New Zealand and one of the pioneers of foiling America's Cup yachts. Nick is now head of design for Team Japan.
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.
Jack, Are those photos of Bermuda real? Why is the water so blue?
Sophia, from England
Hello Sophia,
Come and see for yourself! Yes, the water really is that blue. Why? Being in the middle of the Atlantic, the water is very poor in the nutrients that support planktonic green plants. Coastal areas around the continents have more plant life and the water takes on a greenish-yellow color.
Thanks for your questions! Keep ‘em coming!
Best,
Jack
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