America’s Cup: While we wait

STUFF, New Zealand’s largest and most popular news website, has been dominating the America’s Cup media, with a steady stream of nuggets in advance of the 36th Match. While the Kiwi government has Auckland in a COVID-19 lockdown, with the first race postponed until at least March 10, here are some of the stories from STUFF:

Challenger Luna Rossa ace Francesco Bruni has labelled Team New Zealand skipper Peter Burling “a crazy talent” but questioned his experience ahead of their America’s Cup match.

Bruni and his Australian co-helmsman Jimmy Spithill will double up to take on the skills of Burling on the wheels of the two AC75s.

Burling, an Olympic champion, double world sailor of the year and America’s Cup winner, has plenty on his shoulders that the Italians will look to exploit, particularly in the starting box. – Full report
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Team New Zealand have developed their dual-helming capabilities beyond the starting zone as they maximize the bonus training time handed to them by the delayed start to the America’s Cup match.

Team New Zealand take on Luna Rossa in a best of 13 race series that won’t start until next Wednesday at the earliest with Auckland under Level 3 restrictions amidst another Covid-19 lockdown.

The Kiwis have been replicating the Italian approach of having a man on each wheel in the prestarts to negate Peter Burilng having to switch sides during turns in the heated two minutes of the pre-start. – Full report
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Motorcycle safety gear has been transferred to the America’s Cup scene where it has helped sailors emerge unscathed from high-speed crashes.

One of the miracles of this cycle of Cup racing is no serious injuries have happened in five capsizes and several near- misses in boats travelling close to 100kph.

Most of the mishaps have seen the AC75s rear up and nose-dive, coming to an instant stop before rebounding and rolling over. – Full report
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Team New Zealand’s event arm has banned the New Zealand Herald from the America’s Cup media centre after a disagreement over the use of copyright race video.

The ban is thought to be the first of a media company at a major sporting event in New Zealand, and follows nine months of frosty relations between the America’s Cup defender, and the paper. – Full report

More information:
• America’s Cup format, standings, and how to watch online: click here.
• Complete America’s Cup coverage: click here
• Additional America’s Cup information: click here