Perhaps we’ll get racing today.

I’m pleased as punch that AmericanRiverCanyon seems to be as into the Cup as I and TheMomCat are.  There are cases that cannot be over done by language, this is from CupInfo.com–

Sides have been chosen around the America’s Cup world, and this may be the least friendly competition among nations for yachting’s great prize to ever slide down the ways.

…

Not the least of these issues is the Battle for the Soul of the America’s Cup that has raged increasingly hot since July, 2007.  The near future of the event, if not its entire future, may ride on the outcome.

…

Win or Lose, this match could well be the last time we ever see the America’s Cup unleashed to this degree.  This is a match race in the original sense, the boats at mythic proportions, the competitors have real anger, the stakes beyond mere pride.  The America’s Cup sails into history today, and Cup fans everywhere should hope it comes out a winner.

Your sources for streaming video are-

• AmericasCup.com
• BMW/Oracle Racing

ESPN 360 is covering it also, but without a permanent link.

ARC seems to think Alinghi has an edge in boat speed, that was not my impression and I hope it’s not so as Alinghi has shown no interest in returning to a traditional Challenger/Defender Regatta format.  It’s a best two of three race this time with races 1 and 3 being 20 miles upwind and 20 miles back and race 2 a 39 mile triangular course.

Both yachts are reputed to sail at 3 x wind speed.  Monday’s proposed start was canceled because of lack of wind and Wednesday’s because there was too much.

Today also marks the “start” of the Olympics but I consider Opening and Closing Ceremonies nothing but vapid spectacles.  Your tolerance of volunteer amateur rhythmic gymnastics, costumed Mummers’ parades, televised fireworks, and breathless pseudo punditry and hype may vary.

In any event, while I still reserve the right to change my mind, my current coverage solution is after noon (and I’m talking 12:30 pm) and evening consolidated threads.  Volunteers interested in specific sports are more than welcome and if you feel like you’re in danger of exceeding your three essay a day limit, please drop me a comment and let me fix that for you.

I have to pick up my brother at Bradley at 6 pm so I’m not likely to be around for the 7:30 pm start anyway.

Have a great day, I’ll see you in comments or at 4 for Afternoon Edition.

So what do I know about The America’s Cup?

And now you know that too.

You clicked the link and read it, right?

So this year’s below the radar challenge is Alinghi v. Oracle/BMW.  Partisan that I am I have to hope that Oracle wins and returns the race to it’s traditional Louis Vuitton Cup & Defender Regatta format that makes for interesting racing because he who holds the Cup makes the rules.

Except when they are challenged in court as contrary to the deed of gift, which this year has shifted the site from Abu Dhabi in the mine infested and aptly named Persian Gulf (and anyone who thinks we won’t lose a war with Iran is just stupid) to Valencia, Spain where at least we won’t have to worry about hostage taking or boats being blown up.

That was an Alinghi idea.

As is removing the Challenger series (a landlocked nation of Templar Bankers could hardly hold a Defender series).

One idea I agree with is removing design restrictions.  Formula 1 is a shadow of it’s former self in the name of parsimonious racing rules- no better than bumper car NASCAR and bettered by CART until the money ran out and they couldn’t get a TV deal.

Oh, did I mention it’s only available by streaming video on the internet?

But the money here is is limited only by your imagination and billions have been spent on both sides to produce their one off technological triumphs.

Alinghi is sporting a twin hull catamaran (a redundancy).  Oracle a huge trimaran (single hull, out-riggers on both sides) with the largest sail ever.

Or more correctly a semi-rigid airfoil.

In races like this the dominant technology tends to assert itself early and just pile up the advantage so it’s hugely boring to watch.  We should know actually on the first upwind lap and then have it reinforced.

I don’t actually know how many laps they have to make and there are only three races overall.  The only random factors are equipment failures, weather, and stupidity.

CupInfo.com

Streaming video at CupInfo

Streaming video at BMW/Oracle

First of all, the only reason I watch the Super Bowl is for the Ads.

This year all the controversy is about future CFL washout Tim Tebow and the lies his mother told him about his birth.

Abortion is illegal in the Phillipines so it was never an option.

This year’s ads are not up on teh intertubz yet but here are some past years’-

• 2009, cost $3.0 million per :30
• 2008, cost $2.7 million per :30
• 2007, cost $2.6 million per :30
• 2006, cost $2.5 million per :30

Though I prefer the Bissell Kitty Halftime Show some of you may be interested in this year’s performers, Pete Townsend and Roger Daltrey- abused as a child and researching internet child porn for his autobiography and not at all guilty thank you very much.

A much better performance than you will see today-

Oh, and I understand there is also a game.

Well folks, today is the sixth annual Puppy Bowl, a spectacle of juvenile canine frivolity that (briefly interrupted by the Bissell Kitty Halftime Show) provides as much butt sniffing, barking, snarling, and wrestling over saliva soaked chew toys as a typical day in Washington D.C.

I understand there is also a game.