Your Blogster wouldn't normally run a direct, word-for-word report from ANYONE, but this one is so perfectly worded, so bland yet threatening, and classy, it bares repeating in toto (but your Blogster can't resist commenting, in capitals, on certain phrases):
New York, 18 March 2008) In response to New York Supreme Court Justice Herman Cahn’s order today designating Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) as America’s Cup Challenger of Record (CLENCH TEETH HERE) replacing Club Náutico Español de Vela (CNEV) (A SMOKING-GUN CLUB?), lead counsel for the defending yacht club, Société Nautique de Genève (SNG), Lucien Masmejan, issued the following statement (MORE OF A 'GOOD GRIEF WE LOST' REBUTTAL): “Following today’s court order, Larry Ellison has eliminated the competition (REALLY?) and gained access to the America’s Cup Match (DIDN'T HE ALREADY HAVE THIS?), a feat BMW Oracle Racing has never been able to achieve on the water (HOW UTTERLY TRUE).
While we are disappointed (FLUMMOXED?) with the outcome of this court order and believe that the matter of GGYC’s certificate of challenge wasn’t properly addressed (PROBABALY TRUE), we have decided not to appeal the decision (WE DON'T THINK WE'LL WIN IN THIS CENTURY) and we look forward to getting the fight back on the water and meeting BMW Oracle Racing on the start line of a Deed of Gift Match in July 2009 (AFTERALL, WE'VE ALREADY BEATEN THEM SEVERAL TIMES!),” Masmejan said.
Should Alinghi win the Deed of Gift Match (IN SOME SORT OF CRAZY CRAFT), the Defender is committed to getting the America’s Cup back on track for a world class multi-challenge event in 2011 in Valencia, Spain (WE'LL DO IT OUR WAY, NO MATTER WHAT). “The challengers can be assured that the 34th America’s Cup will be run with the same vision and commitment for a premiere multi-challenge sailing event that they supported in Valencia in 2007,” Masmejan concluded. (WE'LL FINALLY GET OUR CHANGE TO RUN THE DANGED THING....)
Again, phrases in capital letters have been added in the interest of ongoing clarity.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Alinghi Comments on NY Ruling Favoring BMW-Oracle
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Alinghi President Honored as Audi Sailor of Year
Ernesto Bertarelli was recently honored as Audi Sailor of the for “his successes in promoting the sport of sailing through his recent America’s Cup victory.”
Bianca Gropallo, widow of Paolo Venanzangeli, an Italian America's Cup journalist, presented the award.
According to Mr. Bertarelli: “I was born in Rome and started sailing in Civitavecchia with my father, a sailing fan, so I am particularly honored and very happy to receive this prize here in Italy for what we achieved during the 32nd America’s Cup with Alinghi and AC Management. We very much hope to return to the water soon. Thank you again for the award. I’m proud of it.”
This is his second, consecutive America’s Cup victory.
They noted that this past America’s Cup event was supposedly witnessed by six million visitors and 4 billion TV viewers. (Your blogster: Perhaps 50 total in the U.S., all crew spouses and girlfriends willing to take the time to find the broadcasts on obscure cable channels.) Afterwards, the America’s Cup Management organization distributed more than 60 million Euros of net surplus (cash) among the participating teams.
Covering All Bases to be Sure
Your blogster hears that Team Alinghi is out on the water again practicing intensely in Valencia, Spain, but this time it's on 40-foot catamarans. They’re also racing on Far 40 speedsters to keep their “small” monohull skills sharp (they just finished racing at Key West Race Week, finishing a distant 9th, after having won the Far 40 division the previous year.). Hey, you can’t win them all! Tiger Woods certainly doesn’t! But he and they are still the world’s best at what they do.
Among those assembled for the Alinghi practices are Brad Butterworth, Team Captain, and Ed Baird, Dean Phipps, Yves Detrey, Warwick Fleury, Murray Jones, Lorenzo Mazza, Francesco Rapetti, Pieter van Nieuwenhuyzen, Juan Vila, Nils Frei, Curtis Blewett, Rodney Ardern, Nicolas Texier, Luc Dubois and Pierre-Yves Jorand. Imagine these guys on your boat at the next around-the-buoys regatta. Whoa! That spinnaker would never be launched and doused quite as fast, and mark roundings would be a walk in the park. Give me chills just imagining the confidence you'd have at the starting line.
Brad says they have already set up a busy summer racing schedule on both monohulls and cats, since it still isn’t clear either the TYPE and STYLE of the boat for the next America’s Cup regatta, or the DATES of the eliminations and final series. Hint: Monohulls, sail the boat flat, boys; cats, get that pontoon out of the water upwind! Tacking, keep the boat moving and accelerate, accelerate, accelerate! Nothing beats a good start, pass a boat at every mark, and it ain't over till the pointy end crosses the finish line. Many a race has been lost in the last five feet by an over-confident crew or skipper.
A New York judge, who’s probably NEVER EVEN BEEN ON A SAILBOAT has the dubious honor of deciding what’ll be what in the next America’s Cup match-up. Go figure.
