Wednesday 10 February 2010

America's Cup: Live Video Player on SailRaceWin


Image copyright Guilian Grenier/BMW ORACLE Racing.

by SailRaceWin

Courtesy of BMW ORACLE Racing, clicking on either the link at the top of the right-hand column on the SailRaceWin site, or here, will put you through to a live video player for the 33rd America's Cup racing.

Live coverage, including both BMW ORACLE Racing team preparations and the official America's Cup race footage, will commence at 8pm New Zealand time on Wednesday, 10th February 2010: the first race day of the 33rd America's Cup in Valencia, Spain.

N.B. The start of racing on Wednesday, 10th February, 2010, has been postponed until 12.06 CET (i.e. by two hours), due to weather conditions off Valencia, especially the sea state.

Assuming that the boats were to cover each leg at a direct-line speed of 20 knots per hour, the first race would take 4 hours. Due to its being winter in the northern hermisphere, the disappearance of daylight for racing occurs by about 5pm CET. Therefore, racing cannot commence much after 1am New Zealand time in order for the boats to complete the race in daylight.

SailRaceWin's 33rd America's Cup winner tip: BMW ORACLE Racing

Why? In very light wind conditions, when the USA would be unable to raise her centre hull to windward and which would therefore favour Alinghi 5 to get a jump up the first beat, racing is unlikely to take place, as depressions and unstable conditions (varying wind strengths and directions) characterise the Mediterranean during the winter months - as we have seen on Day One of the 33rd America's Cup. When USA is able to raise her central hull above the water, she will be far quicker than Alinghi 5. The wing also provides USA with a great advantage in dealing with wind shear, over the soft rig of her opponent.

No comments: