Subj : Americas Cup foiled.
To   : rec.sport.rowing
From : Stephen Maddalena
Date : Thu Mar 18 2021 12:06 pm

Dear rowers,
having watched all the races of probably the most prestigious and elite
sporting event in the world I was left feeling a bit disappointed by the whole
affair. 
It is undoubtedly an impressive achievement that foils, which can be deployed
at will, mean that boats can travel three times the speed of the prevailing
wind. 
Such high tech. and investment of millions in any currency was thwarted at
times by insufficient wind to supply lift off with foils jibs and mainsails of
varying design. What seemed evident to me was the overwhelming importance of
the sailors' choice of direction which could quickly add hundreds of metres of
advantage as compared to the marginal differences between the high tech. on
display.
As with any competition if the rules are fair and equal then you can have faith
 in the result. The Americas Cup left me unsure of the value of victory for
either party. New Zealand and Italy both competed to excellent standards but
left me thinking that sailing is more confused than upgraded by foils.
A good clinker built hull well varnished does it for me.
Steve.
--- SBBSecho 3.06-Win32
 * Origin: SportNet Gateway Site (24:150/2)

.