Please excuse any typos or missing words… while I’m writing this post, I’ve got one eye on the shoreline of Barcelona. Thanks to the time change, the video extravaganza that is the 2024 America’s Cup live feed begins just as I sit down to my desk each morning. And as my finger hovers over the tab, an imaginary devil whispers into one ear that “this only happens once every three years.” Simultaneously, an imaginary angel issues a stern reminder into the other ear: morning is my most productive writing time.
Today, I’m listening to the devil.
The actual Cup racing hasn’t started yet, but there’s already been plenty of excitement: the finals to select a challenger (the Brits won, for the first time since I was born), interspersed with the inaugural Youth and Women’s events. Despite the space-age spidery look of the racing craft, it all reminds me of one of my favorite sayings: The Sailing is the Easy Part. Now that they’ve all designed and built right on that hairy edge between winning races and fatal breakdowns, they have to trust their shore team heroes will be able to repair anything they got wrong in time for the next start.
Speed is all relative, of course; once everyone is pushing 40 knots, it can become surprisingly routine—and the best teams make it look easy. It’s only when an opponent falls off the foils and drops to a measly six knots (basically Katrina’s top speed) that we appreciate how hard they’re all working to maintain that steady ride height. Knowing how close to the edge they are, and how many things can go wrong, is what makes these races both exciting and heart-breaking; in other words, sport at its best.
So, while my eyes jump between the black and white words on this screen and the shiny video of Mediterranean action on the other, I wonder if the actual America’s Cup racing between the Brits and the Kiwis will provide as much excitement as the pre-events. If so, please forgive yet another delay in my next novel delivery… because (as the devil keeps reminding me) this only happens once every three years.
What about you: are you watching live, waiting out the 24 hour delay, or just don’t care enough to tune in at all? Let me know in the comments below, or send me an email; I read every single one, with gratitude.
Really enjoying all of it, and can appreciate the sailing skill it takes. Not just the Louis Vuitton series. But also the Puig Women’s is currently fantastic racing. And of course the UniCredit Youth was tight racing.
Agreed on all!
IMHO those complaining that the foiling racing isn’t racing aren’t actually watching the racing and over romanticize the bygone days of blowout races in 12s.
The LVC final was spectacularly close match racing. Casually done at 40 knots. With 4 seconds gaps at the roundings.
I agree with all of this, except the word “casual” (and I suspect that’s tongue-in-cheek). Thx for the comment!
Match racing and lee bows at 37 knots, superb all round. I too am enjoying the AC40’s as well, shame they’re $2.85M! The venue and format are top notch. If you cannot watch live, you have 9 min recaps or full race recaps. It’s endless, Tracy and I are loving it!!!
JJ, so glad to hear I’m not alone in my watching. Trying to get weaned off the “live” habit, but today may be tough!
Having followed the Americas Cup seemingly my entire adult life I am of course watching live every morning at this hour. I find the Kiwi stewardship of the Cup disappointing at best with Barcelona a terrible venue this time of the year. The bugs they are racing also disappoint as unlike previous models, these have done nothing to further the sport to the masses. Yes the fleet racing in the 40’s was exciting but that is not Match Racing which is at the core of the Americas Cup. I’ve finally reached Old status but find Racing against my friends just as exhilarating as it was 50 years ago
Steve, thanks for the comment. It’s nice to “finally” see “the bugs” as you call them doing some old-school match racing!