MainSail

SHOW #69

America’s Cup Controversy

The America’s Cup is the oldest trophy in sport, and the highest profile sailing event in the world. Since the first edition in 1851, the world’s richest men have fought to take home this most coveted prize, but never in the Cup’s 159 year history have the battles raged so acrimoniously before even getting out onto the water.

<>This month’s CNN MainSail comes from Valencia, Spain, home of the 33rd America’s Cup. Up til now it has been a fight in the New York courts – bitterness has engulfed this honorable competition – but if it finally takes place in February as scheduled, it is likely to be one of the most spectacular sporting events the world has ever seen. Two of the fastest racing yachts ever built, as yet untested against their rivals - BMW Oracle Racing’s groundbreaking trimaran shipped to Spain from San Diego, Alinghi’s cutting edge catamaran back in Europe after training in the Middle East. Two crews packed with the best sailors on the planet; two of the richest businessmen in the world… All eyes will be on Valencia in February, and CNN MainSail will be there.

Shirley Robertson is the only person in the world to have sailed on and steered both racing machines – in Valencia, she will try and get behind the scenes in both camps. With exclusive access to the teams’ bases, Shirley takes a look at the state of the art technology involved in this unique competition, including BMW Oracle Racing’s ‘wing mast’ rig – the length of a wing of an Airbus 380. On the Extreme 40 catamaran she races professionally, Shirley will explain the intricacies of the match racing game from Oman. And when the action starts, and the courtroom debates are finally left on the dockside, CNN MainSail will be there to watch the drama unfold. With reports from the Olympic Classes Regatta in Miami, and news from the huge multihulls moored in Brest, France, ready to take on the Jules Verne round the world record.