November 25, 2013 By Jack Griffin

Crowdfunding for my multimedia eBook

Do you know about crowdfunding? This is your chance to learn about it!

I’ve launched a project on the Kickstarter site. I’m gathering lots of great photos and videos to explain what happened in the 2013 America’s Cup, and how it will affect the next AC. With your support, I can publish it as a multimedia eBook for tablets and web browsers.

Please look at the short video about the project and visit the project page on Kickstarter. If you’ve enjoyed the articles and videos I’ve published in this newsletter and on the Cup Experience website, I hope you’ll make a pledge to help me publish the eBook.

Even a $1 “thank you” would be a help. And, you will see that there are cool rewards for higher pledge amounts.

Please forward the Kickstarter link to your friends. Tweet it and share it on Facebook, Google+ and other sites. Thanks!

November 25, 2013 By Jack Griffin

The upwind legs were key to winning the America’s Cup

Oracle Team USA expected their slippery aerodynamic shape to give the the edge upwind. They were surprised that Team New Zealand had more speed upwind. Team New Zealand was much faster through the tacks until about Race 8 when Team USA had mastered “roll tacking” – using their foils to lift the bows.

In the early races Team USA was slow through their tacks, pushing a lot of water sideways. By Race 8 they dramatically improved their tacking.

Team USA learned to use their foils to lift their bows in a “roll tack.”

November 6, 2013 By Jack Griffin

Race 10 tactical decisions

America’s Cup Race 10, won by Emirates Team New Zealand

In Race 10, OTUSA made two tactical decisions that both turned out badly, and ETNZ went on for the win. Let’s look at these two situations.

After swapping the lead twice on the upwind leg, ETNZ sailed high and slow, to be able to duck OTUSA and still lay the right hand mark at Gate 3. With starboard advantage, OTUSA might have slowed down to prevent ETNZ from laying the mark. Or they might have tacked in front of ETNZ and rounded the right hand mark – Rule 18 gave them rights to mark room. Instead, they maintained speed, crossed in front and rounded the left hand mark, giving ETNZ the right side and starboard advantage on the downwind leg.

October 24, 2013 By Jack Griffin

Australia challenges for the 35th America’s Cup

Australia’s Hamilton Island Yacht Club has been accepted at the Challenger of Record for the 35th America’s Cup. Hamilton Island Yacht Club’s Australian team will represent all challengers in dealings with the defender Oracle Team USA of Golden Gate Yacht Club, San Francisco.

GGYC and HIYC expect to have a Protocol governing the 35th America’s Cup, including dates, venue, boats and other details, agreed and published in the first few months of 2014.

Download the press release.

October 21, 2013 By Jack Griffin

Government funding for Team New Zealand’s next America’s Cup campaign

Government “bridge” funding for Team New Zealand’s America’s Cup campaign

The New Zealand government has agreed to provide NZ$ 5 million (US $ 4.1 million) to Team New Zealand while the team evaluates if they can mount another campaign. The investment means that key staff can be retained until at least May 2014. Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce was clearly happy with the return on the government’s NZ$ 36 million sponsorship of the team in the 2013 America’s Cup, pointing to the demonstration of New Zealand’s talent and innovation and the attention gained in the US market for New Zealand’s marine, technology and tourism sectors.

Following the exceptionally warm welcome the team received on their return from San Francisco, General Manager Grant Dalton and Skipper Dean Barker committed to staying with the team. Dalton said, “The extent of the enthusiastic reception when we arrived back in New Zealand was both unexpected and encouraging and an incentive to challenge again. We have been talking informally to existing and potential sponsors. We will begin to develop a business plan and sponsorship proposals so that we can start calling on them from next month.”

Dalton said the team, and sponsors, looked forward to the announcement of the rules for the 35th America’s Cup early in the New Year.