On Course, Episode 11

The On Course series takes a regular look at the sailing world with show host Matt Sheahan:

In the end, the successful defence of the America’s Cup didn’t come as a surprise. As the last few races played out, it became increasingly clear that the home team had a much faster boat. What did come as a shock was the talk of what might happen next for the Cup.

When the official statement was released by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (Defenders) and the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes (Challenger of Record), there were plenty of raised eyebrows.

Sheahan matches rumor to fact to assess what might happen next for the America’s Cup and whether the trophy that started life in the Solent 170 years ago really could be run in the UK next time around.

Plus, setting a blistering, record-breaking pace around the old Fastnet course, the view from onboard the MOD70 trimaran Powerplay.

INEOS Team UK crew member and seasoned Cup campaigner Freddie Carr and Sheahan catch up to consider where the new Cup boats take us and what the event and the boats might do for the sailing scene.

And, if you thought you had it tough pounding upwind, here’s what some people paid good money to do back in the 1990s when they signed up for the BT Global Challenge. It’s unlikely that this cut would have ever made it onto the official recruitment video, but it makes for a great watch now while helping to convince us that perhaps our toughest windward slogs weren’t so bad after all.

Plus, two bumper helpings of Docktalk which feature some especially cool kit and new machines.

Video uploaded April 14, 2021