America's Cup. Anyone?

[Brian N-]

Some very exciting racing the last couple of days. Too bad oracle was two points down because of an AC45 penalty. They are just starting to find their groove now, but the party is just about over. I really like the new catamaran format. They may not be much to look at in terms of "traditional" yachts, but they are impressive boats and fast! My little sail boat may hit just over 6 knots. I can hardly imagine nearly 40.

[John Sand]

Yeah, I get pretty excited over 7. I do think the boats are cool, and they still use match racing tactics.

[Foothiller]

After days of the wind hitting the upper allowed limit and postponing races, a change is Oracle's tweet now: "Incredible that a slow day for an AC72 is 20 knots." That's downwind, today. These guys have been hitting 25 knots upwind.

[RickBeer]

I don't watch it, but I grew up with a Hobie 16. 25 knots in the ocean was very thrilling. Was dismayed to sell it 20 or so years ago because my children didn't like it and we were 90 minutes from a beach. 60 minutes to load up, 90 minutes to tow, an hour to rig, and hour to unrig, 90 minutes to tow, 60 minutes to store - left no time for sailing.

[John Sand]

It's been pretty exciting. NZ won six of the first seven, I thought it might be a rout. But the US won four out of six, including the last two. They have to win out or lose. It's become a real competition. I think the worst possible outcome would be if NZ "wins" 9-9 or 9-10 due to the unusual penalty assessed before the regatta.

[John Sand]

And two more races to Oracle USA! They really upped their game. NZ is close behind at many points though, and only needs one to win.

[John Sand]

And while I may be posting to myself, the extremely unlikely has happened. Oracle USA caught up in points, the regatta is tied at match point. Winner tomorrow takes the cup.

[Foothiller]

You're not posting to yourself. Those were two incredible races today. I had to wonder if adding weight to a different boat in a different series a year ago is worth a two race penalty and loss of starting team members, what should New Zealand colliding with its opponent be worth? With Oracle winning the past 7 races and just sailing away from New Zealand in today's second race to a kilometer lead, I think I know who my money would be on in the last race.

[John Sand]

I agree, USA now has to be the favorite. That comeback was amazing.
Penalties have been odd in this regatta. I prefer the old system of a penalty turn. Certainly the collision should have merited something.

[duff]

I have never really followed any boat racing before but I just saw a highlight clip from this years America's Cup and it looks insane. In a good way.

So I guess my first question is how many races are there? It seems like there is a minimum amount and then it keeps going until somebody comes out the winner?

[Foothiller]

Today was the last race. Following it on Twitter, it looked like an exciting close race until Oracle (USA) sailed away again to almost a kilometer lead. It will be fun to watch on the DVR tonight. The races can also be found by searching Youtube for America's Cup 2013.

This was a best-of-17 series, except that Oracle had a 2-race penalty from a preliminary series in smaller boats. So Oracle needed 11 wins.

[DirtRacer]

This final race was really the first one I've watched and it was a good one. Really wish I had HD TV for it.

[RickBeer]

We caught the final 3/5ths of it. Very exciting. My Hobie 16' didn't go that fast...

[John Sand]

Amazing stuff. Many sailors don't like the foiling catamarans, wishing to go back to monohulls. I love these boats.

[DirtRacer]

Amazing stuff. Many sailors don't like the foiling catamarans, wishing to go back to monohulls. I love these boats.

This is the first year I've watched it so I wasn't sure what to expect. I was hoping for monohulls but the way these catamarans lift up is pretty exciting.