I’d like to see a 2-hour documentary program on everything that was involved in the development and construction of the AC72 boats. You could even do a 1/2 hour documentary on the selection and training of a crew. I know they will have biographies on many of the notable crews during the LVC and AC competitions.
Despite my passion for sailing, this current venture has me more in awe of the likes of Jim & his colleagues - I really don’t believe a two hour documentary would do it justice, although it’d be a mighty fine starting point. Many years ago I was involved in the development of a new amphibious vehicle which was relatively low tech in terms of build technology (steel hull, aluminium superstructure) although elements of the fit out were pretty high tech at the time, and can attest to the ridiculously high development costs where man-hours just ran away with themselves. In that instance it was generally because the naval architects had overlooked material weight elements (generally down to mis-interpretation of various codings) and also down to the ‘customer’ constantly changing their minds. It’s pin money when compared to AC development now, but at the time a forecast build budget of a few hundred thousand (sterling) very quickly escalated well into the realms of seven figures!!
I should have said a one-hour documentary, because that is about as long long as the average person (who usually watches Na-scar) could sit and watch, but for those of us here, an entire day “might” suffice.
Thanks to the miracle of exaggerated perception, I thought I saw an r/c cat sailing around the AC45s in Newport harbour. The live webcam must be pretty far from the AC45 boats moored in the water, that they look like 20-footers! Then I saw a white cat sail by, and I thought it was a scale AC45, about 6 feet long. I watched the video for a while to see if the cat came back to grab the screen for you, but it didn’t happen.
I will tell you I’m enjoying the sailing in Newport much more than the others. It’s probably because the pressure is better, and the sailing is better; there are less mistakes lately. Even Mr. Spithill is doing better, with his regular team on board, working flawessly, so far.
I saw a video of some RC44 yachts (which look like IACC yachts) sailing somewhere, and I started wondering: Is there still a venue somewhere, where they still use the IACC monohulls? IMO, that’s where the ‘real sailing’ sport is. For the same reasons, I like to watch the Formula 1 stuff, instead of the new F1 races. For the latter, I can borrow the PS3/XBox from the kids.
Talk about a new way to sail regattas…
During the live TV ACWS broadcast of the last Day in Newport, Mr. Jacobsen mentioned that there are umpires in chase boats following the yachts, and more umpires at the AC base watching the video and computer data to see if any penalties are appropriate. Even the familiar 360 penalty seems to be abandoned for the slow-and-go penalty. On the TV or computer screen, you will see a blue PENALTY flag attached to a boat, and a blue line following 2 lengths behind the boat. The boat bust slow or stop its movement, and when the blue line catches the boat, the penalty is finished.
This doesn’t make the penalties less useful for the other team(s), but it’s more “favorable” than making a 360- degree circle, which means you will most likely lose the race (according to 12 metre logic.) Apparently, if the AC45 cats had to make a 360 circle, it would be about as bad.
couts adn spittle both showed that the slow/go penalty is something that you CAN recover from. since these boats slow down to almost zero when they turn, a 360 would be death… However that being said. it would make people think twice about sticking their bow were it doesn’t belong if they knew they had to do a 360. IMO the risk for a rules infraction under the new rules is much less than the potential reward… I’m not fond of the overlap rule either… nor am I fond of the reaching starts… I do like the on course judging IE no protest rooms…
Unfortunately, much of these “new” rules will have a long time before they filter down to the R/C sized racing. There still are problems with (some) race committees (unnamed) handling an audio starting timer and getting the start on time - let alone watching blue imagery via a space-provided GPS system. Still - was an interesting video, and managed to impress the wife by making the calls before they were announced.
Now, if she will only rethink the purchase of another (replacement) cat - I’ll be happy. 
For those interested first pics of ETNZ AC 72 now published http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index.php?showtopic=137078&st=125
That thing looks great, and probably the best chance against The US…
BTW:
A.R. have had to fix their busted wing… Apparently the owner is quite displeased with the teams performance and having dropped a hundred million into the campaign already with nothing to show for it…
Just keep it quiet, cheers
Following AR wing mishap ETNZ adrenaline must running at all time high … see lot of on-shore tension testing going on, I understand this platform (1st of 2 boats) is for testing rigs & secret weapons in the limited sailing days allowed.
Deano and the boys will need to push this test bed to the limit for design & construction integrity & have all the data needed to integrate on the second boat which is said to be final design stages with talked about 2nd boat going to be launched in January….talk about short runway it’s either lift-off or crash & burn !
Following this historic time for AC with great interest … even considering quick trip home to have first hand look.
Cheers Alan :zbeer:
So where are the other 72s? They must either have a lot of confidence, or luck.
For 72’s… Your missing the key element… Teams.
Now down to 4!
Don’t know if you have seen this. Some good pictures of the KIWI AC72.
http://acworldseries.blogspot.fr/2012/07/americas-cup-news-entz-ac72-undressed.html
/Anders
It’s odd that the racing starts tomorrow, but the live webcam isn’t available. the Americascup.com website has been redesigned somewhat also; maybe it’s related.
The live webcam usually starts on the first day of practice, which was yesterday.
yeah but, you get what you pay for… 