Cup Star: Gracious Yachtsman of the Year

Let’s listen to American Ed Baird, Alinghi’s winning skipper, in this year’s America’s Cup.

"The America's Cup was by far the most difficult event to win. It was also the most exciting. I'm lucky that there have been many special moments in my career, but it's also been great to see all three of my sons sail their first regattas and start to enjoy the sport."

He made these comments at the awards dinner after having been selected as International Sailing Federation’s Rolex World Sailor of the Year for 2007.

This is the second time the award has gone to an American. The first? Paige Railey, in the Woman’s category. Claire Leroy of France was named this year’s Female ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year.

Here’s a single paragraph quoted from Sail Magazine’s web site that summarizes the ENTIRE America’s Cup Races this past July:

“The first match went to Alinghi but with ETNZ picking up the next two, Alinghi dug deep to win three on the bounce bringing the score to four-two and needing just one more win. The seventh, potentially deciding, match was another nail biter. ETNZ spent much of the race ahead but never quite gained a solid advantage. With just a few metres separating the two as they approached the final upwind mark, the crucial position of Alinghi and a perfect dial down from BAIRD forced Emirates Team New Zealand to concede a penalty. It looked like Alinghi had secured the win but an enormous wind shift put the finish line upwind leaving ETNZ able to lay it and Alinghi struggling to drop their spinnaker. Down on speed as they completed their penalty, ETNZ could only watch as BAIRD steered Alinghi across the line just one second ahead and winning the America’s Cup.” For more information: http://sailmag.com/BairdWorldSailor/

(Your Blogster doesn’t mind copying this copyrighted materials here, since Sail Magazine attributed this incredible writing to a “KL,” who also compiled it from somewhere….)

He learned sailing the right way: Winning first in Optimist Dinghies, the Lasers, J-24’s, Maxis and 50 footers. Then he moved on to around-the-world racing!!!!!

Hear, hear for Ed! Long live The King!