AC36: The Match (6-15th March. Reserve days to the 21st)

[winchfodder]

I guess it is time we had a thread dedicated for the Match.

Especially now with the three day covid lockdown there is a distinct possibility that the Prada Cup will go by default to LR if the race committee run out of time by next Tuesday. 

INEOS have dropped right out of the NZ Tab market and the evens money has long gone for ETNZ. 

 

[Enzedel92]

Prada going to kick the shit out of the Kiwis.  LR battle hardened.  ETNZ not so much.

 

[winchfodder]

Prada going to kick the shit out of the Kiwis.  LR battle hardened.  ETNZ not so much.

Still very happy with even money on ETNZ. 

 

[Geotta]

Prada going to kick the shit out of the Kiwis.  LR battle hardened.  ETNZ not so much.

Not sure it’s been that much of a battle so far.  More like a training run for the handbags.

 

[jaysper]

Still very happy with even money on ETNZ. 

Yup.

Regardless of who progesses to the match, ETNZ will take a jumbo jar of lube out and shove it sideways up their arses.

I'm sorry but the challengers just aren't demonstrating anything that makes me think any differently.

 

[strider470]

Yup.

Regardless of who progesses to the match, ETNZ will take a jumbo jar of lube out and shove it sideways up their arses.

I'm sorry but the challengers just aren't demonstrating anything that makes me think any differently.

I fear you're right.

 

[jaysper]

I fear you're right.

Although it is looking like Luna Rossa will progress to the match, I have to say that today's racing demonstrated that we are currently seeing two very evenly matched boats.

INEOS could still come back, but they will need to sail their boat a lot better than they currently are.

 

[minimumfuss]

I see challengers all reasonably similar. Seems unlikely they are all superior to ETNZ. So at worst for us kiwis they are similar speed. At best, ETNZ will down trou them

 

[jaysper]

I see challengers all reasonably similar. Seems unlikely they are all superior to ETNZ. So at worst for us kiwis they are similar speed. At best, ETNZ will down trou them

Remember ETNZ have moved to a new set of foils since before Xmas. It's going to be a bloodbath IMO.

 

[Forourselves]

Prada going to kick the shit out of the Kiwis.  LR battle hardened.  ETNZ not so much.

they were battle hardened here too

 

[SCARECROW]

38 minutes ago, Forourselves said:

they were battle hardened here too

and this time....

Oh wait. hold on

Having said that my money is on ETNZ.

Having said that... we saw today that the slower boat can win if sailed better (every time I glanced at the speeds LR was going quicker).

 

[AeroSail1]

The whole legal shenanigans with the Prada cup final made me wonder: What would happen if, hypothetically (and I certainly hope not), Auckland goes into Level 3 lockdown before the AC matches begin on March 6th, and this protracts beyond March 21st?

a) the racing is postponed indefinitely until lockdown level 2 is reinstated

b) the deadline of the 21st of march is reached but with the boats still on the 0-0 the cup would be awarded.. to who? Would it be ETNZ since they won the last match against both Ineos and LR in the ACWS?

c) something else?

Also who would be in charge of making the decision and proper amendment to the rules? Just ACE? ACE + CoR? ACE + ETNZ? ...

 

[Jethrow]

I've heard from a very REASONABLE source that if the Cup match isn't awarded by the end of the match period it will be decided by a vote of SAAC members!

 

[winchfodder]

The whole legal shenanigans with the Prada cup final made me wonder: What would happen if, hypothetically (and I certainly hope not), Auckland goes into Level 3 lockdown before the AC matches begin on March 6th, and this protracts beyond March 21st?

a) the racing is postponed indefinitely until lockdown level 2 is reinstated

b) the deadline of the 21st of march is reached but with the boats still on the 0-0 the cup would be awarded.. to who? Would it be ETNZ since they won the last match against both Ineos and LR in the ACWS?

c) something else?

Also who would be in charge of making the decision and proper amendment to the rules? Just ACE? ACE + CoR? ACE + ETNZ? ...

I think there is already provision for racing under Level 3. 

If the Match can't be sailed I guess it stays with the Defender. 

If it is partially completed does it go to who is leading at the time (as in the Prada Cup rules) or is there a requirement for a minimum number of races to be completed to get a result?

 

[Enzedel92]

7 hours ago, Forourselves said:

they were battle hardened here too

Meh.... totally different boats.  In the foiling era the defenders get their teeth kicked in every time. I don’t suspect this time to be any different.  All about on the water time and confidence.  NZL loses the first few races it can quickly spiral out of control.  Remember there are no second chances for the defender like there are with the challengers, RR Prada semi, Prada final, etc.

 

[NeedAClew]

If match cannot be completed and stays with Defender, I am sure an already drafted DoG challenge will be made. But whose gets there first...Ineos, LRPP, or Ernesto? 

 

[Rennmaus]

If match cannot be completed and stays with Defender, I am sure an already drafted DoG challenge will be made. But whose gets there first...Ineos, LRPP, or Ernesto? 

Why a DoG challenge? The three possible challengers are as interested as ETNZ to make the AC a money making machine. Something that is even harder to achieve with a DoG challenge.

 

[NeedAClew]

A pissed off multi billionaire proposing to hold the event somewhere in a good time zone, convenient to get to, what's not to like?  Breaking even or running a surplus might be more feasible for one main event without the circus circuit ACWS, challenger selection, etc. Those are all money losers. 

 

[IPLore]

If there is no racing before time limit expires then either Kiwis keep the cup without having been challenged or the CoR and Defender agree to new terms.

My 2 cents is that they will agree to new terms.

Since Kiwis have spent $100m + on their effort, they really want to race. They dont want to wait for another challenge in a couple of years time. They want the economic payback from AC

Since challenger of record is LR and likely they will be in the final they will want to agree to a postponed match.

In other words...if there is a lockdown, the challenger and defender will keep their bases running and agree to new match dates at first available opportunity.