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Thread ID: 30265 2003-02-14 09:40:00 OT - America's Cup Predictions Lohsing (219) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
121253 2003-02-14 10:41:00 > I was hoping that there was going to be some nice
> tight match racing. A bit of a shame that the boats
> are sooooooo different. It seems to point to the
> teams are relying on the weather to help. Alinghi has
> gone for the light airs and Team NZ's design seems to
> point to slightly higher breezes.
>
> So are we going to see the same as last time where NZ
> refuse to race below 9knots?
>
> Whats the wind like tomorrow?

No, there are NO wind limits. They will go out and race in everything. Heavy or light. I think it backfired on Prada
dot_com (558)
121254 2003-02-14 10:55:00 Personaly I hope NZ wins to knock that waka jumpers sail from under him. mikebartnz (21)
121255 2003-02-14 10:55:00 My opinion: NZ 5 - Sui 2.

We won't dominate, unless the "Hula" does more than expected. But weather conditions and navigation will have a profound effect, even more than strategic ones. Tactical decisions will be almost paramount, and I expect boat speeds to be similar.

The 5:2 ratio could easily go either way, so if we lose, it'll be close.

Having said that, if the "Hula" does it's biz resulting in Team NZ getting slightly better boat speed, then no contest - we'll drill the Swiss good and proper. Our sailors are at least the equal of the opposition.
Greg S (201)
121256 2003-02-14 11:04:00 I wonder how many nervous team members are having trouble sleeping tonight. The Americas Cup has come up really fast dot_com (558)
121257 2003-02-14 11:10:00 Exceptional crew work on Alinghi. I think I only saw one major slip up due to crew work from them in the entire Louis Vutton :)

Really looking forward to it :)
Gorela (901)
121258 2003-02-14 11:35:00 They will race in light wind only if it is consistently from the same direction. If it is light and shifty they probably won't race. The teams and race commitee director have met and decided on the allowable conditions. Also there is an 'unstated' upper limit, which would varie according to the sea state, this will be the race commitee directors call as to what this limit on any given day will be. If it is 30 knots but the sea is flat, they may race, if it is 25 knots but severe sea conditions, they may not, directors call. These conditions can vary according to wind and tide directions. Danger (287)
121259 2003-02-14 13:25:00 Also, there is a 45 min time limit for each leg... over that limit, and the race is called off. Regarding the conditions, yes it is the director's call... basically it comes down to whether or not a race could be held safely in any given conditions. Down to one person's call.

Lo.
Lohsing (219)
121260 2003-02-14 13:26:00 And also heard that expectations are for wind speeds of around 15knots this weekend.

Lo.
Lohsing (219)
121261 2003-02-14 19:03:00 I'm really looking forward to the start of this race, it should be electric. Coutts has never been a great starter, but he has the advantage in starting from the commitee side today. Look for Barker to be aggresive, although the unknown manouverability of NZL 82 could be a factor. In the last cup, Barker as the back up boats skipper was known to clean Coutts up in the starts. And who can forget that king hit he put on Prada in his first, but the events last race in 2000. Bring it on.
Coverage starts at 9.00 am on TV1.
Danger (287)
121262 2003-02-14 19:32:00 5-3 to TNZ

I feel we will win first 3 - country thinks it'll be a whitewash, then alingi will win 2 - NZ one, then alingi, then NZ.
Anyway - GO TEAM NEW ZEALAND!!
fergie (424)
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