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BMW Oracle - Source: Reuters -
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The biggest problem with the 33rd America's Cup has been trying to find words to describe sights that have rendered you speechless and the first race was no exception .
It was jaw-dropping, gobsmackingly amazing and ran contrary to all predictions.
Heading into the regatta there was a big list of firsts and unknowns; the first America's Cup contested by multihulls, the first trimaran in BMWOracle Racing, and the first time either of these boats had actually raced.
The unknowns centred on how they would approach a match race, how maneuverable they would be, how aggressive Jimmy "Spitfire" Spithill would be at the helm of BMWOR and, of course, how comparatively fast they would be.
Race one provided all the answers with Spithill sailing to type in the start box. It was suggested he lined up Alinghi in the cross-hairs of the heads-up display on his glasses leaving owner-driver Ernesto Bertarelli with nowhere to go and a penalty next to the Swiss flag.
That BMWRO then fell into irons and allowed Alinghi to escape merely helped prolong the speed question and gave the answer added drama as Spithill climbed into the attack. After finally crossing the start line 1'27" and 660 metres behind, the American boat ate up the discrepancy in little more than 12 minutes.
Higher and faster is every racing sailor's desire and the margin of difference between the two boats induced more gobsmacked gasps. Pre-race banter had suggested the wingsail would work best into the wind with Alinghi's configuration giving the Swiss boat the downwind advantage. That theory was knocked on its head after the top mark with Spithill able to drive the tri lower and faster. Game conclusively over.
Of course the job is only half done and it remains first to win two races. On the evidence of race one Alinghi's best hope is to try and sink BMWOR. For the Americans it will be a case of trying to ease the high-tech machine around the course and avoid breakages while staying in front.
Maintaining the wingsail is, to quote its trimmer Dirk "Cheese" de Ridder, a "pain in the ass." Most problems occur when it's being taken on or off the boat and it's best left in situ with the boat on its mooring. When the boat comes into the port the race crew gets off and another crew of world class multi-hull sailors gets on to monitor the boat during the night. A chase boat sits tied to the stern to swing the boat head-to-wind as necessary. It's like trying to reign in a bucking bronco.
As ever in this game we now sit and wait and hope the wind gods play ball.
Everyone would like it wrapped up asap and while it's a thrill to watch history being made it is cold and wet in Valencia in February. Texts from home tell me it's stifling hot which is hard to imagine.
Then there are practical considerations. For example, scores of flights have had to be rescheduled and I had to vacate my apartment today. At this stage I don't know where I'll be parking my bag tonight.
That said, it is a thrill and a privilege to be witnessing America's Cup history being made. The future of the auld mug could be decided within 24 hours.
