Did I have too much "sauce" last night - I seem to be hallucinating after reading this article (from 2010)

this is a story from the 2010 Race!

I thought the mainsheet track had an automatic release system?

Common sense to not start an ocean race with a forecast of a potential 40 knots of wind and 3m to 4m sea state?! Would you sail across the atlantic or around the coast of Europe in a boat that you did not feel confident in being able to beat off lee shore in 40 to 50 knots of wind? In my limited experience winds of up to 60 knots can pop up and catch you out with very little warning anytime and anywhere. You have to be prepared and able to deal with it. The only message the race management is giving these sailors is to continue trying to maximize weight savings for light to medium air performance at the expense of sea-worthiness. True it is not fun sailing to windward in a gale but to keep on delaying races like this has very real and negative consequences. Two weeks after the 1999 race finished a hurricane passed and that does not bare thinking about for any boats still at sea.

This is an outbreak of common-sense with 21ft boats setting off across the Bay off Biscay at this time of year. I can think of several sailors (of larger boats) who would still be alive if race management had made these decisions in the past, rather than copping out, under media pressure, with declarations that it's the skipper's sole responsibility etc. But I'm still amazed it's actually happening!

Yes, impressive to see how the wind beneath the main keeps the boat from going beyond 90 degrees for several seconds. This is the second MOD70 capsize, but note that both have capsized in the traditional way to leeward rather than the normal ORMA 60 style pitchpole over the leeward bow.

Remarkable how long the tri sailed on the outside of it's lee float! Giving the crew plenty of time to ease sheets or luff up or bear away you'd think. Also see how the boat floats entirely on the beams. Tis a pity though, the second MOD70 to capsize? They were supposed to be safer than the ORMA 60s. I do feel sorry for Dick, let's hope his back mends soon.

Ben Ainslie Racing Team (BART) not sailing team, surely!

why can't I see a video link? I'm logged in (and paid up)?

Shure, this was spectacular, but was it sailing? Not to me (and I'm an old Tornado sailor). We lost most of tactics and strategy that is so obvious and exciting in single hull sailing. This was a drag race, very American and very unsophisticated. Sorry, speed alone is not the premier element, sailing is, and I think the Kiwis proved superior in light and hard weather. This was a check book event, I feel very sorry for the Kiwis.

Could Cammas and Ainslie prove that the entente cordial is alive and well and have a Concorde moment? Unlikely, I guess.

Great article James- good work

Excellent article, as ever, James. Thanks. One design anything will lower the cost of that element. But the richer teams will just use this to spend more money on R&D for other elements so a significant amount of one design elements are needed to limit the amount of money that can be beneficially spent on "other stuff". The question is how far can you go with this before it ceases to be the design race and challenge trophy that is the America's Cup?

Would the option of a one design wing save cost, particularly design and the build costs would be spread over the teams.

Go Larso!

What a technical tour-de force Thanks for the insight. She was tucked away in the tent when I was there on Friday so couldn't get a close view.

I certainly understand the fear of AC teams removing the sense of camaraderie of the current class, these were also one of the fears when people were talking briefly of the moth becoming an olympic class. But is it realistic that an AC team will come and show the competeion their ideas in a C Class? Or would they rather play with modified 45 foot boats away from prying eyes where things are more relevant when scaling up, like hydraulics and more than 2 pairs of hands. Either way, thinking that another few Groupama level boats would be great to see racing and in the longer term would only increase the health of the class. And I'll always cheer on the non-pros!

Just wondering.....is Sir Ben the first Brit to win the AC? It wasn't just tweaking of the boat the last week that made a difference IMHO but also the addition of Ben's confidence that helped lift OTUSA....