ETNZ Crosses OTUSA on Day 2 of the 34th America's Cup Match (Photo Credit: ACEA/Ricardo Pinto)
Quite a few people were very surprised by OTUSA pulling their 'postponement' card today. Some even called it unsportsmanlike.
In reality, it is no different from a timeout in basketball. It is a tactic in each teams playbook that can be used just once. Originally it was intended for a gear breakage, however this would be very hard to police, so was just left open.
Put simply, if JK hadn't pulled the pin, it is highly likely they would be 5-0 down now. This match is approaching the halfway mark, and if Oracle can pull something out of the bag, then perhaps this is the turning point. However, it is more likely to be giving them breathing room to assess where they can make improvements in the time allowed and perhaps turn their campaign around.
To the other people who blame JK for losing the upwind leg, can you really blame that down speed tack they made after the rounding for losing the race? What about the fact ETNZ made up 1 min 25 sec in one leg. Their boat handling needs work for sure, but to blame the tactician for a boatspeed issue is like blaming the pilot for the airline food. It's something that should have been nailed months ago, and could easily be tied back to the fact one team has done over 100 days sailing and the other spent months rebuilding their boat after a capsize.
Whatever happens, it's a shame one team seems to be quietly going from strength to strength and the other is loudly imploding. The racing we have seen has been legendary in the true sense of the word, and hopefully we will see the same come Friday.
With Deano and the boys out in front where it counts.
In reality, it is no different from a timeout in basketball. It is a tactic in each teams playbook that can be used just once. Originally it was intended for a gear breakage, however this would be very hard to police, so was just left open.
Put simply, if JK hadn't pulled the pin, it is highly likely they would be 5-0 down now. This match is approaching the halfway mark, and if Oracle can pull something out of the bag, then perhaps this is the turning point. However, it is more likely to be giving them breathing room to assess where they can make improvements in the time allowed and perhaps turn their campaign around.
To the other people who blame JK for losing the upwind leg, can you really blame that down speed tack they made after the rounding for losing the race? What about the fact ETNZ made up 1 min 25 sec in one leg. Their boat handling needs work for sure, but to blame the tactician for a boatspeed issue is like blaming the pilot for the airline food. It's something that should have been nailed months ago, and could easily be tied back to the fact one team has done over 100 days sailing and the other spent months rebuilding their boat after a capsize.
Whatever happens, it's a shame one team seems to be quietly going from strength to strength and the other is loudly imploding. The racing we have seen has been legendary in the true sense of the word, and hopefully we will see the same come Friday.
With Deano and the boys out in front where it counts.
