Barker versus Spithill as the Americas Cup Finals begin
by 34th America's Cup media 7 Sep 2013 14:44 BST
7 September 2013
The "September Showdown" for the 34th America's Cup begins with four races scheduled this weekend. In the U.S., the America's Cup Finals will be broadcast live on NBC and NBC Sports Network. Replays will be available on the America's Cup YouTube channel (watch on the YachtsandYachting.com homepage).
Racing on Saturday and Sunday will be broadcast live nationally on NBC, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm PT.
Two of the most acclaimed sailors in the world will go head to head when racing begins. ORACLE TEAM USA's Jimmy Spithill, the youngest skipper to win the America's Cup in its 162-year history, against Kiwi skipper Dean Barker, who has been the on-water leader of his team for 10 years.
At the media conference on Thursday, both men made it clear that winning was the only acceptable result.
"We set up to come and win the Cup and that's why we're here," Barker said. "There's no other result that will be good enough for this team."
"To take the trophy you have to win on the water," Spithill countered. "That's what we're looking for, to get on the water and go racing."
Forecast winds will be lighter than usual, in the 10-14 knot range, with a weak sea breeze building later in the afternoon.
The winner of the 34th America's Cup will be the first to win 9 points. For the Kiwis that means nine race wins and for ORACLE TEAM USA it means 11, due to a penalty imposed by the International Jury. Racing is scheduled for Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, with two races per day scheduled to start at 1:15 and 2:15 pm PT.
Internationally, the America's Cup Final can be viewed in more than 170 territories. All racing is also live on America's Cup YouTube channel (subject to territorial restrictions).
You can also follow racing with the America's Cup App for android and iOS devices.
www.americascup.com
ORACLE TEAM USA begins defense of America's Cup (from ORACLE TEAM USA)
Years of preparation culminate tomorrow when ORACLE TEAM USA begins its defense of the 34th America's Cup. The team will face Emirates Team New Zealand on Saturday, September 7, on San Francisco Bay in the first two races of the Finals. Race 1 begins at 1:15 pm PT, with race 2 following at 2:15 pm PT.
"We've got one thing to focus on, and that's the racing," said skipper and helmsman Jimmy Spithill. "To win this trophy, it is one of the hardest things you'll do in your life. But, it is so rewarding. When you coordinate such a big team together and it all works, it's hard to put words to it."
On Tuesday, ORACLE TEAM USA's 11-member crew was unveiled, and yesterday Spithill announced they would be racing on the team's second boat.
After winning the 33rd America's Cup, ORACLE TEAM USA elected to bring the event to San Francisco Bay, the place tactician John Kostecki calls home.
"There's no doubt about it, it's fantastic to have this America's Cup here on the water where I grew up sailing," Kostecki said. "When we won this trophy three years ago, it was a dream come true for me, and when the team chose San Francisco, it was incredible.
"Now it's time to race and it's actually happening here in San Francisco," Kostecki continued. "As we all know, and as we've seen in the Louis Vuitton Cup, it's an incredible venue with great sea breezes, tricky course conditions, with different currents that are changing every day and winds that are changing every day. You can view the race course from all over the Bay Area. So, personally, I think it's one of the best venues in the world for this event and we're all looking forward to getting out there, putting on a good show, and hopefully winning a sailboat race."
Rounding out the race crew are: grinder Shannon Falcone, grinder Rome Kirby, wing trimmer Kyle Langford, grinder Jonathan Macbeth, jib trimmer Joe Newton, grinder Gilberto Nobili, grinder/strategist Tom Slingsby, grinder Joe Spooner and grinder Simeon Tienpont.
"The entire team is focused on racing," said general manager Grant Simmer. "The 130 members of ORACLE TEAM USA – sailors, boat builders, designers, technical support and business administration – stand behind the 11 men on the water."
The winner of the 34th America's Cup will be the first team to capture nine points. For ORACLE TEAM USA, it means winning 11 races due to a penalty assessed by the Jury, where Emireates Team New Zealand will need to win nine races.
"We don't shy away from a challenge or a fight – we're ready to get out there," Spithill said. "We can win the America's Cup – that's our plan. I think we've got the team to do it, we've got a fantastic boat – and that's exactly what we're going to do come this Saturday. We're going to get out there and give everything we can."
In the U.S., the America's Cup Finals will be broadcast live on NBC and NBC Sports Network. Racing on Saturday and Sunday will be live nationally on NBC from 1:00 -3:00 pm PT. Internationally, the match can be viewed in more than 170 territories. Live racing and replays can also be viewed on the America's Cup YouTube channel (subject to territorial restrictions).
ETNZ- It's finally here (from Emirates Team New Zealand)
It is less that 24 hours until race one of the 34th America's Cup. Every hour that has been worked, by so many dedicated people within the team goes on show tomorrow. Lets go racing.