back, with a new focus

apologies for the extended absence - after contributing so grandly to the stunning victory of november 7, i found my blogging to lack a certain focus. rather than filling the page with thoughts on who might run for MS-SEN or challenge al wynn in the primary season. i just don't want to add to the media feeding frenzy. i don't know who is going to win the presidential nomination and i kinda don't care - i follow the house and senate much closer.

but fortunately for everybody out there, another of the many subjects on which i am a renounced expect is about to again enter the international spotlight. one more fleet race in early april, and then the 32nd America's Cup gets going for real. so as not to mince words, the coverage of the america's cup is total crap. i realize the sport is not massively popular in this country, but how do they expect to grow it without getting as much exposure as possible? with that as my goal, i'm gonna do my best to keep some running commentary on the racing and the off-water shenanigans, hopefully contributing to your knowledge of the sport - a little infotainment if you will.

With almost 2 months to go until the first Louis Vuitton race, I figure a FAQ is a good place to start...

Q: What is the America's Cup?
A: Often referred to as the oldest trophy in sports (first awarded in 1851), the rules governing the cup are contained in the deed of gift. After the completion of the race series, a racing team (called a "syndicate"), presents the winner with a challenge, which specifies the terms under which the following contest will be held. While there is no set time frame, the Cup generally runs approximately every 4 years.

Q: What happens after a challenge is accepted?
A: For the first year or so after a challenge is in place, other syndicates sign up for the right to race for the cup. For the 32nd running, it appears there will be 11 challengers representing 9 countries (italy has 3 challengers). The challengers then race in the Louis Vuitton Cup, the winner of which will race the current defender (Alinghi, from Switzerland). The AC is a best of 9 series.

Q: How does the racing work?
A: All of the races in the AC and the LVC are "match races" (ie, one-on-one). In the 31st AC, the course was 6 legs, back and forth between 2 points, going alternatively with and against the wind. I assume the 32nd AC will be similar, but like i said the coverage is terrible so i can't find that info anywhere.

Q: Why is it called the America's Cup?
A: The United States has won 28 out of the 32 America's Cup races so far, including the first 25 which represents the longest winning streak in the history of sport, lasting 132 years. However, the Cup is actually named after the first winner of the cup, named America. America was a revolutionary boat, that badly outran the entire british fleet around the isle of wight, in front of Queen Victoria. HRH, somewhat embarrassed, asked who placed second, prompting the classic line, "Your highness, there is no second.

Q: What kind of boats do they sail?
A: The rules governing the boats are specified in the terms of the challenge (this section is about 50 pages long). However, the boats are not identical - running a legitimate AC syndicate requires years of research, computer simulation and at least $50mm. There are always charges of rule breaking, including several trips to the court in various jurisdictions. Espionage is also a concern, specifically about the shape of the boats' keel. Simply put, the results are generally fantastic, with incredible boats that lead, down the road, to a huge amount of the innovation in the sport.

That's enough for now - next time we'll look into what actually happens during the race.