There’s been some amazing racing during this 34th America’s Cup held at San Francisco these past few weeks. It’s the greatest sailing match in the world, founded in 1851, and one that lays claim to the oldest active trophy in international sport. Check out the pic. It’s one gorgeous cup, and there in the foreground, the two skippers, Jimmy Spithill from Oracle Team USA on the left, and Dean Barker from Emirates Team NZ on the right, both teams vying for the cup right now.
So why am I chatting about the America’s Cup today? That’s an easy answer. Team NZ are up 7, to Team USA’s 1. And yep, I’m a Kiwi and gotta support our boys.
We’re nothing if not competitive Down Under. We sit here with a huge ocean to sail around in, and we’d love to bring the America’s Cup back to our shores.
In 1995 New Zealand first won the cup, and held onto it for the next eight years through to 2003.
In 2007 we went after the cup again and during the challenger series, won the Louis Vuitton Cup, although Alinghi successfully defended the America’s Cup 5-2 to keep it in their hands.
Now, it’s 2013, and our Kiwi boys are back. We’ve taken out the Louis Vuitton Cup again, and now challenging Oracle Team USA. The winner of this cup needs to take out 9 of the 17 races, and oh boy, we are so, so close.
Can Team NZ do it? I’ll certainly be glued to the TV for the next lot of races.
Anyone else on the edge of their seats as well? Enjoy these pics. I love seeing the boats go up on their foils.
A revolutionary change to sailing. Wicked.
Also, if you’d like to read a thrilling new Young Adult Fantasy Romance series filled with intrigue at every corner (set within my end of the world), then by all means, check out the book links to my series below to pick up your copy of PROTECTOR or WARRIOR.
Here’s what reviewers are saying about this series:
“Imaginative world-building, stunning setting & a love fated to be.” — Jessi Gage, Author
“I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.” — The Jeep Diva, Reviewer
“I’m loving this series! So different and cool, and I just loved Silas and Hope’s relationship. 4.5 Stars.” — Holly Underhill, YA/NA Reviewer
“What made me fall in love with Warrior, is the heart thudding romance between the two main characters. 5 Stars.” — Nocturne Romance Reads
Buy PROTECTOR (Book One) at: Amazon Kindle / B&N Nook / iTunes / Kobo
Buy WARRIOR (Book Two) at: Amazon Kindle / B&N Nook / iTunes / Kobo
–ooOoo–
THANKS EVERYONE. HAVE A GREAT WEEK AND ENJOY THE AMERICA’S CUP RACING IF YOU’RE WATCHING. CATCH YA LATER.
Didn’t a Maori smash the cup one year? Yep, just looked it up. in 1997.
America’s Cup Is `Virtually Destroyed’ — Maori Protester Smashes Trophy With Sledgehammer
So the race is the oldest, not so sure about the trophy.
You’re right, the cup was badly damaged on March 14th 1997 by a man known as Benjamin Nathan. He was arrested, convicted and jailed. The damage was so severe it was feared the cup was irreparable. But London’s Garrards Silversmith’s, who had manufactured the cup in 1848, painstakingly restored the trophy to it’s original condition over a three month period. All was well again, and the cup then kept in an even more highly strengthened case. The only new materials used on the cup by the silversmith’s were to the base where an additional 20cm was added to allow for the names of future winners to be recorded. 🙂 Love the comment, Liza. 🙂
Did you see this today’s race? Shoot. I almost had a heart attack with the near capsize. It’ll probably take me a day or two to get over that.
The race is definitely on. Anything can happen. Anything.
I saw the cup when it was stashed in that waterfront museum in Auckland – looks like it’ll be there again soon enough, though we shouldn’t be smug. Today’s adventures show how quickly defeat can be snatched from the jaws of victory, especially with yachting.
You’re so right, Matthew. Today’s race and Team NZ’s near capsize shows it’s anyone’s game. What a week of sailing we’re in for. I’d have loved to have seen the cup. You lucky thing. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
I’ve been able to watch some of this from my deck (albeit, not real close up). Don’t tell anyone, but I’m rooting for Team NZ!
LOL. I love that you’re right there in San Francisco. How cool. Go Team NZ.