Americas Cup

[absailing]

Hi I am here on holiday for a week and am wondering if I can catch the Americas Cup anywhere?

Can anyone help

[mcgriffith]

Naw, we only have candles at night here, no telly....

Try Tuskers. He is showing all the America's Cup, as far as I know (right, Chas?)

McG

[miltonbentley]

Hi Absailing

I have PMed some details to you.

[Donnyboy]

Hi Absailing

I have PMed some details to you.

Chas, M.I.A. tuesday night? Missed a great boat race mate. TNZ 2-1

Absailing, check out all the insightful Americas cup comments in the sports section of ThaiVisa, ahem

Team NZ win dramatic Race 3

5:00AM Wednesday June 27, 2007

By Julie Ash

In an extraordinary race, Emirates Team New Zealand recovered from a costly crew error this morning to win race three of the America's Cup.

Team New Zealand won this morning's race in Valencia by 25 seconds and now lead the best of nine series 2-1.

But it was an amazing tit-fot-tat race which former Alinghi skipper Russell Coutts claimed was one of the best races he had ever seen.

In race which had everything in it Team New Zealand stormed out to a huge lead on the first beat after benefiting from an enormous right hand shift.

In a split tack start Dean Barker won the favoured right side but it came at a cost as the Swiss powered over the line with much more pace.

Trailing their opponents by a couple of boat lengths, New Zealand's faith in the right paid off as a huge right hand shift came through which saw them power past the Swiss and out to a 300 metre plus lead.

Team New Zealand rounded the top mark 1 minute 23s ahead. They maintained their lead down the first run but then disaster struck at the bottom gate.

Not only did the New Zealanders get their spinnaker caught in the genoa car they also nearly lost mid bowman Richard Meacham over board.

The mistake allowed the Swiss to storm back into the game.

The two were neck and neck on the approach to the third mark but the Swiss were positioned in better pressure and in a remarkable comeback led the New Zealanders around the top mark.

Alinghi's lead was never threatened in the early part of the run but two thirds of the way down the Kiwis came back and it was neck and neck. Alinghi sailed a dangerous game in opting for big separation.

Alinghi had to gybe near the finish which allowed Team New Zealand to sail into the lead. They held their composure to the finish to win by 25 seconds.

The late Sir Tom Clark would have been proud.

Sir Tom's ashes were scattered along the start line in Valencia earlier this week.

Sir Tom, who passed away two years ago, was known as a patron of New Zealand's international yachting ventures.

He was also an adviser and trustee of Team New Zealand and involved during the triumphant America's Cup campaign in San Diego. He was also one of Team New Zealand managing director Grant Dalton's mentors.

Before he died Clark was asked whether he believed in Dalton to which he replied "absolutely."

Among those present in the scattering were Lady Pippa Blake and Team New Zealand's business manager Ross Blackman.

Race four is tonight then another lay day is scheduled before race five, six and seven on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Since 1871 the team that has won the third race has always gone on to win the Americas Cup.

The third race between America's Cup defender Alinghi and challenger Team New Zealand was delayed several times because of light and shifting winds.

Edited June 26, 2007 by Donnyboy

[miltonbentley]

Sorry Don had a date with an enormous amount of Japanese food.

Will be in tonight for Race 4. Glad that you guys won. Looking for the Swiss to come back tonight as the best final result will surely be a nail biting 9th race for the Kiwis to win the cup in grand style