America's Cup finally thrives without Alinghi
Source: Agencies |
August 9, 2011, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
GOOD weather conditions allowed the high-tech catamarans of the America's Cup to finally get off to their promised flying start as a new era of the sailing classic began in Cascais, Portugal, without two-time winner Alinghi.
Oracle Racing No. 5 won a close fleet race as the 13.5-meter long carbon fiber boats tore through Atlantic waters showing off their power, precision and speed, with Emirates Team New Zealand even losing one of its sailors around a marker.
The Kiwis clocked 42.35 kilometers per hour to win the inaugural speed event for these yachts, which showed why the monohull model was left behind after light wind had given the World Series event a sputtering start on Saturday.
Alinghi's absence is noted but gradually being forgotten as the 34th edition picks up steam. The Swiss syndicate bowed out of the competition after losing the Auld Mug in a one-off showdown with Oracle Racing in February 2010, and owner Ernesto Bertarelli has made no moves to rejoin a competition he felt was wrestled away from him.
China Team
In Sunday's fleet race, Emirates Team New Zealand was second, ahead of Oracle Racing No. 4 with China Team fourth. Team Korea edged China Team for second in the speed race.
"There are still a lot of things to improve but the basic, fundamental things are working," Oracle Racing No. 5 skipper Russell Coutts said.
A poor opening day on Saturday had meant Alinghi's absence was felt.
"I do think Alinghi's absence affects the pull of the Cup," Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker said. "I'm not sure of the relationship between Oracle and Alinghi, but I think it could only be good for the event to have Alinghi here."
The only relationship between Alinghi and Oracle Racing involves the sailors who migrated to the Americans after Alinghi disbanded following its on-the-water defeat, which came after a near three-year legal fight that forced the best-of-three series in Valencia, Spain.
"Alinghi would have been good competitors in this format but it's not necessarily a bad thing they aren't here, as a sport we need to have more teams capable of winning," Coutts said.
"I think the top sailors in this format are here. Is (Bertarelli) on the list of the top-100 helmsmen in the world? Probably not."
Former Alinghi wingman Murray Jones, who joined Oracle Racing after winning 2003 and '07 Cups with Alinghi, called his former team's absence "a real shame."
"I wouldn't write him off but with Ernesto he would only want to do it if he thinks he has a chance of winning," Jones said.
A return for this edition seems unlikely, even with the match race for the Auld Mug not taking place until 2013 in San Francisco.
Oracle Racing No. 5 won a close fleet race as the 13.5-meter long carbon fiber boats tore through Atlantic waters showing off their power, precision and speed, with Emirates Team New Zealand even losing one of its sailors around a marker.
The Kiwis clocked 42.35 kilometers per hour to win the inaugural speed event for these yachts, which showed why the monohull model was left behind after light wind had given the World Series event a sputtering start on Saturday.
Alinghi's absence is noted but gradually being forgotten as the 34th edition picks up steam. The Swiss syndicate bowed out of the competition after losing the Auld Mug in a one-off showdown with Oracle Racing in February 2010, and owner Ernesto Bertarelli has made no moves to rejoin a competition he felt was wrestled away from him.
China Team
In Sunday's fleet race, Emirates Team New Zealand was second, ahead of Oracle Racing No. 4 with China Team fourth. Team Korea edged China Team for second in the speed race.
"There are still a lot of things to improve but the basic, fundamental things are working," Oracle Racing No. 5 skipper Russell Coutts said.
A poor opening day on Saturday had meant Alinghi's absence was felt.
"I do think Alinghi's absence affects the pull of the Cup," Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker said. "I'm not sure of the relationship between Oracle and Alinghi, but I think it could only be good for the event to have Alinghi here."
The only relationship between Alinghi and Oracle Racing involves the sailors who migrated to the Americans after Alinghi disbanded following its on-the-water defeat, which came after a near three-year legal fight that forced the best-of-three series in Valencia, Spain.
"Alinghi would have been good competitors in this format but it's not necessarily a bad thing they aren't here, as a sport we need to have more teams capable of winning," Coutts said.
"I think the top sailors in this format are here. Is (Bertarelli) on the list of the top-100 helmsmen in the world? Probably not."
Former Alinghi wingman Murray Jones, who joined Oracle Racing after winning 2003 and '07 Cups with Alinghi, called his former team's absence "a real shame."
"I wouldn't write him off but with Ernesto he would only want to do it if he thinks he has a chance of winning," Jones said.
A return for this edition seems unlikely, even with the match race for the Auld Mug not taking place until 2013 in San Francisco.
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