CupInfo Feature:

Make Your Point >

CupInfo Home     |      Venue Guide     |     AC 32 CupLog

The Class of 2003

Prada

Challenger of Record Prada brought more meter bows to Auckland late 2002. After a slow 4-4 start in Round Robin 1, and amid reports of conflict within the design camp, both boats went back to the shed for appointments with power-saws. After Designer Doug Petersen left the team ITA-74 and ITA-80 emerged for Round Robin 2 sporting the must-have fashion accessory. Performance gains can be attributed to many factors, but the new Davidson-style knuckles probably helped the Italian yacht finish the Round Robin's in the top tier before eventual elimination in the semi-finals.

Patrizio Bertelli was quoted in Italy’s Gazzetto della Sport as saying “this adventure is over” - meaning Prada would not sail in the next Cup. But, we hear news of a Red Moon rising and hope to see Prada back in the start box for 2007. Salute!

Victory Challenge

Victory Challenge did not have a 2000 boat in their arsenal. The Swedish team obtained NZL-38, sister to 1995 winner NZL-32 with which to train. Sharing an Antonov transport with Alinghi’s SUI-64, Victory brought their first new boat, named Örn, to the Hauraki early. Drawn by Mani Frers, Jr., SWE-63 looked promising against the 2000-generation boats in both the Road to the America's Cup fleet regatta and trialing against Team New Zealand sailing NZL-60, the 2000 defender. Örn has a sharp vertical stem with a gently sloped entry.

Note the triangular shape which transitions from her narrow stem to the waterline knuckle to girth forward. Put under the magnifying glass, what appears triangular when bisected by waterline is actually a tear-drop terminating in the knuckle.

Örn / SWE-63 / Victory Challenge

Article Navigation:

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

CupInfo Home

© 2003 CupInfo.com

Contact: