That would assume a whole lot more knowledge than 2 of the 3 commentators have exhibited.

Perhaps they could interview the designers of each boat?

Ken Reid has been good and he's certainly knowledgeable. I'm sure they are under orders to dumb it down a little. I'm also glad that I don't hear "carbon fiber" uttered every 2nd sentence.

The only thing wrong with Kenny is his lack of time on these boats (not his fault). He is the President of North Sails, so I would expect a lot more out of him regarding the sails, rather than whining about them not having Code 0s every time the wind is less than 15 knots.

To a casual viewer, one of the most obvious differences in these boats has to be the jibs (OK, maybe the pie warmers). One is wide and short, the other is taller with a square head. Perfect stuff for Kenny to discuss!

Mike

...and he needs a haircut!

;^)

Hilarious -thanks Tony--they just havn't hooked up the heating element to the grinders and genny yet,--warm pie mmmmmm-mmm

More on TV today at 4 or so E T -12;30 P T

Was anyone else frustrated watching the tactics on race 3 --O should have crossed on starboard as most of us would then pinned E-on port past the layline unable to tack in front --they then would have kept their lead into the 3rd mark,

It seems the tactician hasn't spent much time on a high speed cat or raced much in them --they are stategical not tactical boats to race These guys should have spent some time racing cats in good competative fleets,

And yes --Hi Jake and all--it would great to get a good look at the fasinating design variations between boats, The next generation of designs might focus more on the foiling aspect evan upwind where they are "just skimming" the furface but need the foil underwater to track to windward,--Hull shape in particular could be radiacally rethought --more of a planning skimming type hull -that would also help prevent the nose dive they currently experience when falling off the foils gybing ,--just a thought, --The foil shape and board configuration might also be improved,--though I,m not fully aware of A C design rules,

have fun---Mike--wish I wasa in S F to see it --please give us some insights there,



Carl

Here's what's going on with foiling in the Little America's Cup, C Class cats:

http://www.sailingscuttlebutt.com/2...317aa3&utm_source=Email%20Newsletter

Am I the only one that's P.O.'d about the changes to the Nationality Rules from years gone by?

That was always one of the biggest draws (for me) to the America's Cup, and I think it was the intent, in the original race. Back in the day, everything had to come from "Country of Origin".

Certainly the skipper and all crew, but also the designers, the boat builder, the sailmaker, etc. all came from the home country of the entry.

I'm just a little perplexed that with a population of about 330 million people, the United States of America cannot put together a competitive AC team! Aren't we supposed to be the "Greatest Nation on Earth"?

I guess our real talent is eating, and watching NASCAR?

Yeah, he was starting to look like J-dub in a few years... Wonder if he can say "palpable"

After watching 3 & 4 (which kept me on the edge of my seat), I would have figured JK and DB would have both known that:
1) tactics are slow (yes, it's a match race... but still)
2) pinching is slow death
3) tacks in multis are slow (whether it's slower than the current drag... not sure)

The drive over the top strategy at the start seems to work best, but R4 showed what I thought was a good hook by JS. But it probably only worked because Barker screwed something up there...

And I loved the "colorful metaphore" Spithill barked out when they screwed the pooch on that one gybe (when the board raised). They even left it on the replay...

Reminds me of Spongebob "Sailor Mouth" episode...

I like Monday-morning quarterbacking this regatta as much as the next guy, but this course turns typical match-racing strategy on its ear. Usually, it's get right, and protect right.

However, depending on the current, in the upper part of this course, you want to be left. Way left is even better, especially if slightly behind, because you can use the boundary as a weapon to acquire rights when on port tack.

Besides, if they weren't having tacking duels, the AC purists would probably all have blown a gasket by now (and it would be pretty boring for the rest of us).

One thing I've learned is that the local Hobie racers that I learned from were completely wrong when they said to ignore the current on a cat...

Mike

More pics here

Forecast morning fog with breeze building 18-22 knots.
Race 5 at 1:15 PT Race 6 at 2:15

North America broadcast live on NBCSN and YouTube

Take good notes, I'll miss them both, my youngest has a swim meet this afternoon, an hour drive away!

I hope whom ever wins, the racing is as close as it was on Sunday.

"Spongebob negatively affects attention span, says study - CBS Newswww.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7380807n‎CachedSep 12, - CBS News video: Spongebob negatively affects attention span, says study - A ... tackled 5 of 9; Watch: Man goes overboard at America's Cup ..."

funny combination news blurb -- don't he was watching Sponge Bob on the I phone at the time ,;]

Someone will have to overdub the Sponge Bob episode on the replay --funny stuff

So --how do we get foiling 20 ft cat racing going ?
I want one of these !

On foil design and balance --believe others use a twist grip control on the rudder foil to adjust height for and aft --the A C cup cats use tilting the boards for and aft ,--seems there must be a better design configuration or method for this--any thoughts ?

uh...hello? You can run Youtube on your flip-phone....