The Americus Cup has Changed.. I copied this pic from http://spectrum.ieee.org/consumer-electronics/audiovideo/the-augmented-reality-americas-cup I feel It has a lot of "presence."...

edrobinsonjr Loc: Boise, Idaho

I copied this pic from
http://spectrum.ieee.org/consumer-electronics/audiovideo/the-augmented-reality-americas-cup

I feel It has a lot of "presence." Cool but a bit unreal.

Being a catamaran fan I have to laugh at the AC as it was not too long that they didn't consider catamarans like the Hobie to be a real sailboat.

Americus Cup Cat

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Yes, it certainly has changed since Ted Tuner and Dennis Connor. I think it helps the viewers a lot.Some amazing technology....slightly out of my budget.

GW Loc: Idaho

Looks like fun , but I'd make a better anchor than a crewman (can't swim)....

gsrunyan Loc: Aurora, CO

It's The AMERICA'S Cup, named after the first ship to win the race (when it was only the U.K. and the U.S. competing).

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

GW wrote:

Looks like fun , but I'd make a better anchor than a crewman (can't swim)....

At 55mph, I wonder if they have to finish will all the crew they started with? I'm sure they could make money towing skiiers after the race- probably would not be a very good bass boat.

(needless to say, this thread belong in chit-chat but I would never have seen in that abyss)

UP-2-IT Loc: RED STICK, LA

edrobinsonjr wrote:

I copied this pic from
http://spectrum.ieee.org/consumer-electronics/audiovideo/the-augmented-reality-americas-cup

I feel It has a lot of "presence." Cool but a bit unreal.

Being a catamaran fan I have to laugh at the AC as it was not too long that they didn't consider catamarans like the Hobie to be a real sailboat.

Look Ma, they are flying!

fotowerks Loc: San Diego, CA

They reach speeds of over 55 mph at times. These 3 ton boats spend most of the time above the water with only surfboard sized hydrofoils under the surface. They are amazing to watch, even on TV. Will be attending day two of AC in SF next weekend. Hope I can get my gear past security. "professional style cameras are prohibited" at the venue. I probably will not be able to carry a long lens, even if I can get my camera in. Wish me luck.

fotowerks Loc: San Diego, CA

Dennis Conner introduced the multihull and wing style main sail against New Zealand's giant boat in San Diego and won. AC folks made a lot of noise and went back to traditional monohulls.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

fotowerks wrote:

Dennis Conner introduced the multihull and wing style main sail against New Zealand's giant boat in San Diego and won. AC folks made a lot of noise and went back to traditional monohulls.

That was a ridiculous match up.
Good thing he didn't flip it over.

SpeedyWilson Loc: Upstate South Carolina

I think the new technology will make the boat races much more interesting for us landlubbers, without distracting from the great sailing skills that the team members possess.

I'm looking forward to seeing the competition.

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

GoofyNewfie wrote:

At 55mph, I wonder if they have to finish will all the crew they started with? ...

New Zealand had a couple of crew members fall overboard in race 2 against Italy in the semi-finals. They still won because Italy had a more serious breakdown.

Any race that is not allowed to proceed because the wind is over 22 knots in San Francisco Bay does not seem like a legitimate sailboat race to me. Just because they can go faster than single hulls, catamarans on hydrofoils do not represent real sailing any more than Formula 1 cars weighing 1,500 pounds (including the driver) with 900 HP engines running at 18,000 RPM.

But both are fun to watch.

bcheary Loc: Jacksonville, FL

edrobinsonjr wrote:

I copied this pic from
http://spectrum.ieee.org/consumer-electronics/audiovideo/the-augmented-reality-americas-cup

I feel It has a lot of "presence." Cool but a bit unreal.

Being a catamaran fan I have to laugh at the AC as it was not too long that they didn't consider catamarans like the Hobie to be a real sailboat.

Nice shot. I have no problem with catamarans. I think that the cruising ones are great. As a former mono-hull owner, I think that today's Americas Cup has strayed far from the original intent. Just my opinion for what it is worth.

olcoach Loc: Oregon

That is a hobby that makes photography seem downright reasonable.

rockdog Loc: Berkeley, Ca.

edrobinsonjr wrote:

I copied this pic from
http://spectrum.ieee.org/consumer-electronics/audiovideo/the-augmented-reality-americas-cup

I feel It has a lot of "presence." Cool but a bit unreal.

Being a catamaran fan I have to laugh at the AC as it was not too long that they didn't consider catamarans like the Hobie to be a real sailboat.

Thanks for posting ed, it is a cool image. These wet rockets are worth a look. The TV coverage is good and the races are accessible from many points around the bay. Your post motivated me to put up some shots I made last week at the LV finals. (search Congratulations New Zealand) I'm a Hobie fan too. I hope we see more of these beautiful 72's here on UHH.

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Captain Nemo has returned!