Passions at gale force, like the breeze forecast for this evening, following yesterday’s heart stopping one second win to Alinghi.
Race officials were keen to ensure the challenger final completed before a southerly front blasted the city and Alinghi and BMWO headed out in the two New Zealand boats before 9am, with winds on the gulf blowing a steady 15knots, low cloud and mist shrouding the dormant volcanoes and Auckland’s ‘Sky Tower’. The seas were building and tide on the ebb across the start line down the course; the photogs strapped themselves to the front of the ribs!
The other major battle, about which owner has the biggest superyacht, was on in force in the harbour, with shining examples of some of the most stylish yachts in the world, but this battle was easily resolved when Cunard’s Queen Victoria berthed overnight.
A maximum of two races were planned for the day…Â More info
Times are tough, so the Miami International Boat Show is going overboard to make it easier to buy a boat.
The 68th Miami show, which runs today through Monday at three sites, will have an Affordability Pavilion to help people find boats that can be financed for $300 or less per month.
The pavilion, which has appeared at other boat shows, will feature fishing boats, runabouts and personal watercraft such as an Angler 173F ($250 per month), the 20-foot Carolina Skiff 218DLV ($219), a Polar Kraft Bass Series TX175 Pro ($125) and the Yamaha VX Cruiser and VX Deluxe PWCs ($59).
Those in the market for a boat should find good deals at the show…Â More info
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 the 3rd of December, 2008, VESTAS SAILROCKET set a new ‘B’ class world record of 47.36 knots over a 500 meter course. This gave her the unofficial title of the worlds fastest boat… but still 3.21 knots short of the Outright world record currently held by the kitesurfers. During their final attempt the craft lost ‘pitch stability’. The nose lifted up at near on 60 mph and performed a spectacular semi-loop… More info
An American sailing club argued Tuesday before New York’s top court that it is the legitimate Challenger of Record for the America’s Cup, not the Spanish association that was selected by the Swiss club holding the trophy.
The case before the Court of Appeals pits San Francisco’s Golden Gate Yacht Club, which backs BMW Oracle Racing, and Societe Nautique de Geneve, the Swiss club that backs two-time defending champion Alinghi.
Each accuses the other of trying to get an edge through maneuvering on dry land. The Swiss are accused of choosing an easy challenger who …Â More info
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