I’m not a really fan of sailing–I don’t even play one on T.V. But after Team Oracle USA’s stunning comeback victory–8 consecutive race wins to retain the Americas Cup after trailing New Zealand 8-1–I felt inspired to repeat this post from September of last year, a recount of probably the only time ever in my life I will watch a complete world class sailing event, in person or on TV. And hats off to Team Oracle for staging perhaps the greatest comeback in sports history.
“What do you want to be a sailor for? There are greater storms in politics than you will ever find at sea. Piracy, broadsides, blood on the decks. You will find them all in politics.”–David Lloyd George
Sailing? Really?!! If you know me, you were expecting baseball, golf, poker–anything but sailing. What do I know about sailing? Put it this way: when I arrived in the San Francisco Bay area Saturday night, I had no idea that the first event in the America’s Cup World Series 2012-2013 season was going on here this week. But leave it to my 90-year-old stepmother, Elizabeth, to know exactly what’s going on in her territory. We hopped on the ferry from Alameda to pier 41 in San Francisco harbor Sunday morning, found a great and uncrowded vantage point at the end of pier 45, and watched the final race in the first of 4 series events leading up to next year’s Louis Vuitton Cup and America’s Cup final. It was surprisingly colorful and fun to watch, and during the two legs of the race that came right by us, we had a better view than anyone other than the helicopters and seabirds overhead.
The results: Defending champion Oracle Team USA–Spithill came on with a rush at the finish of the 11-boat fleet race but fell three seconds short of the winner, Italian Team Luna Rosa–Piranha; but the second place finish was good for a one point victory for Sptithill over Piranha in the week-long final standings. The Vuitton cup held here next summer will determine the challenger to Oracle USA for the 34th America’s Cup final in September 2013.
The Millennium Conjectures™ 
These aren’t the boats they used to sail back in the day of Australia II
Yeah, I was pretty amazed when I saw these things. The last I could remember, was that the Americas Cup boats were yachts, not catamarans.
I don’t know anything about sailing. (… trying to make a mental connection to something I am familiar with…) Is “Team Oracle” sponsored by the software company of the same name? 😉
Don’t worry, I know pretty close to nothing, but yes, Oracle Team USA is backed (and bankrolled) by Oracle CEO Larry Ellison.
Sailing is like soccer to me: I’m not a fan, but I like doing it. Having said taht, it’s been quite a while since I last put my sea-legs to use