Americas Cup
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If anyone here is really interested in America's cup history and memorabilia I recommend going for a drink at the American Bar at The Stafford in London. There is a whole wall of signed photos and such from the likes of Dirty Dennis.
The whole bar is riddled with some very cool memorabilia from guests and, especially for kiwis, this is where Nancy Wake lived out her last years propping up the bar with a G&T, all paid for by passing the hat around rich old men in recognition of her war deeds. there is a little 'shrine' area just for our 'White Mouse' -
Burling said in the presser they weren't really trying to force the starts as they knew with the set ups Artemis had the advantage reaching and on the sprint downwind to mark 1. While it could be BS, the starts against Artemis have been relatively consistent all regatta that it would be surprising if it wasn't a tactic.
Have to say Burling and the entire Team NZ syndicate has impressed me at this regatta. Even if they go down to Artemis from here I think you can say they at least met expectations. Really do hope they can kick on though and rip the cup back from Oracle. Oracle undoubtedly have made some improvements to the cup making it more exciting and TV friendly - but some of the anti-competitive behaviour needs to be stopped. Also Coutts and Spithill are nuffys.
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@rotated said in Americas Cup:
Burling said in the presser they weren't really trying to force the starts as they knew with the set ups Artemis had the advantage reaching and on the sprint downwind to mark 1. While it could be BS, the starts against Artemis have been relatively consistent all regatta that it would be surprising if it wasn't a tactic.
Have to say Burling and the entire Team NZ syndicate has impressed me at this regatta. Even if they go down to Artemis from here I think you can say they at least met expectations. Really do hope they can kick on though and rip the cup back from Oracle. Oracle undoubtedly have made some improvements to the cup making it more exciting and TV friendly - but some of the anti-competitive behaviour needs to be stopped. Also Coutts and Spithill are nuffys.
I think you mean fluffybunnys.
There are some real asshats involved in this sport (I guess there always have been). There looks to be a group coming through though that are a bit more likeable and it would be nice to see them take over.
Coutts is a prick. -
Woohoo we are already 1 race down too...great rules those.
We shoulda introduced some in the lions tour.
For every loss the ABS get a 7 point headstart but we only count the games the Lions win/lose in the midweek games....if they win they get a 3 point start.
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@Crucial said in Americas Cup:
There are some real asshats involved in this sport (I guess there always have been). There looks to be a group coming through though that are a bit more likeable and it would be nice to see them take over.
Coutts is a prick.In reality it's TNZ vs the rest as the other 5 challengers all signed up to Oracle's demands. If we can get past the ginga Aussie then Luna Rossa will come back into the mix as the Challenger of Record as they are allies with TNZ.
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@taniwharugby said in Americas Cup:
Woohoo we are already 1 race down too...great rules those.
We shoulda introduced some in the lions tour.
For every loss the ABS get a 7 point headstart but we only count the games the Lions win/lose in the midweek games....if they win they get a 3 point start.
It's a shit rule but we had a chance to turn it back on Oracle by beating them once. We couldn't get the job done which is a concern. But we are building nicely and you don't want to peak in the round robin
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@Bovidae said in Americas Cup:
@Crucial said in Americas Cup:
There are some real asshats involved in this sport (I guess there always have been). There looks to be a group coming through though that are a bit more likeable and it would be nice to see them take over.
Coutts is a prick.In reality it's TNZ vs the rest as the other 5 challengers all signed up to Oracle's demands. If we can get past the ginga Aussie then Luna Rossa will come back into the mix as the Challenger of Record as they are allies with TNZ.
The rules Oracle set and the way they went about it meant the challanger of record for this Cup was unable to even compete nor were Luna Rossa who were Cup mainstays as Bovidae pointed out. Farcical.
Once you account for the teams that are essentially Oracle's puppets and the interested parties that weren't able to make it to the Cup because of Oracle it is a much closer equation.
If/when Team NZ wrestle the Cup back from Oracle let's see how others feels. It is much more pragmatic to sing from the Oracle's songsheet while they remain the holder, controller and overwhelming favourite. If they no longer have the power the other 'independent' syndicates may become a little more open minded.
Also, this regatta has been outstanding but without Team NZ - geez it would run the risk of being a little boring, no? Not unlike 2000? BAR/Artemis vs Oracle seems dull and Japan vs Oracle would have been an embarrassment.
Keep the format, reinstitute nationality requirement (minimum 4 homegrown including helmsmen & skipper) and eliminate stupid bonus points. Good as gold.
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Expect the architypal baddie Mr Spithill to come out all guns blazing over the next few days...patronizing, condescending, praising, I expect we will get the whole spectrum...
