For the second day of the America’s Cup preliminary regatta in Jeddah the weather gods produced perfect racing conditions allowing the teams to deliver a barnstorming day of racing out on the Red Sea
I've always told people that I'd never bother to watch a professional football game, but I will gladly wake up at 5:30AM to catch a yacht race - as we have to on the east coast of the US during the Jeddah Preliminary Regatta. But the lack of sleep was well worth it yesterday and today, and through my tired eyes, I see the following: The 19 year-old helmsman of PRADA is scary-good. This self-effacing young man is obviously a star to be reckoned with, with good natural instincts and an irritatingly-calm demeanor. Second, is the ease with which ETNZ is handling their AC40 and racking up wins. It does call to thought that perhaps the delivery schedule (ETNZ first then Orient Express last to get their AC40 boat) is very obviously reflected in the race results thus far. And finally, the American Magic performance yesterday - especially given their great boat handling during the practice races the day before, makes me concerned that with only 4 hands-on-deck, not having the needed level-headedness of an old timer such as Terry Hutchinson aboard has led to nerves, nervous mistakes, and then an inability to quickly and adequately resolve issues. Today's sail was much better but to end up in the LV Finals next fall, the self-trust issues must be quickly overcome.
I've always told people that I'd never bother to watch a professional football game, but I will gladly wake up at 5:30AM to catch a yacht race - as we have to on the east coast of the US during the Jeddah Preliminary Regatta. But the lack of sleep was well worth it yesterday and today, and through my tired eyes, I see the following: The 19 year-old helmsman of PRADA is scary-good. This self-effacing young man is obviously a star to be reckoned with, with good natural instincts and an irritatingly-calm demeanor. Second, is the ease with which ETNZ is handling their AC40 and racking up wins. It does call to thought that perhaps the delivery schedule (ETNZ first then Orient Express last to get their AC40 boat) is very obviously reflected in the race results thus far. And finally, the American Magic performance yesterday - especially given their great boat handling during the practice races the day before, makes me concerned that with only 4 hands-on-deck, not having the needed level-headedness of an old timer such as Terry Hutchinson aboard has led to nerves, nervous mistakes, and then an inability to quickly and adequately resolve issues. Today's sail was much better but to end up in the LV Finals next fall, the self-trust issues must be quickly overcome.
Again, Justin, great reporting. Thank you.