Conference unifix::sailing

I remember seeing the DEC logo on the sails of AUSTRALIA I while they
were training down under a few years ago but never once they arrived here.
I heard DEC Australia footed the bill but no confirmation of this.

I'll sign too.

Ed

For you America's Cup fans, I include a message received from a software
specialist in Australia. Also, I don't know about DEC sails on Australia I,
but I do know that DEC - Australia was a contributor to the Advance syndicate
the last time around, and that DG contributed to Australia II. If you recall 
Advance was slow, very slow and its syndicate had severe financial problems.
I can only imagine it was more fun, and more impressive for DG customers
in Newport than for DEC customers. 

- Bob

	"As for our America's Cup defence, we're sponsoring the Task Force
	87 Syndicate, headed up by Kevin Perry. They have several boats
	including the Kookaburra. Aboard the Kookaburra we have a MicroVax
	to monitor, predict and optimise it's performance and a 750 at the
	shore base. Four other MicroVaxes are being used at the tank testing
	facility and on the tender vessel.

	DG are sponsoring Alan Bond's Cup Defence including Australia III.
	Are we on the wrong side again?"

I saw a blurb on TV a couple of months ago that was discussing the U.S.
planning to get the cup back. Specificly mentioned in the "hi tech"
efforts was a onshore VAX and onboard PDPs for performace data collection
and reduction. I'm sorry I can't remember what program this was or which
syndicate the hardware was donated to.

				Dick

Re: .2

>	Are we on the wrong side again?

        Yes, you most certainly are. :-)
        
        Its not Alan Bond (or the US syndicates) that the Aussies should be
        worried about.  In the current World Series off Perth, the Kiwi
        (New Zealand) boat KZ5 is ahead of Australia III by 21.4 pts to
        22.7 after 4 races. The point is, this boat and KZ3, our other
        entrant, have only been in the water for 2 weeks so once Chris
        Dickson and his crew really learn how to sail a 12 metre boat, the
        'favourite' will soon become obvious.  After February, 1987 we
        could well see the next defence of The Cup off the shores of the
        Waitemata Harbour in Auckland.
        
        
        C'mon Kiwi
        
        
        /Owen
        
       

Hello Auckland or Sydney...
I heard yesterday that America II had had some serious breakdowns. Can you
fill us in on what's going on  in the Worlds?

Also, what's happening with the Whitbread?

Thanks,
Ed

Re: .5

I heard America II wrapped a spinnaker and Couragous is trying to sink its
competitors.

I would like to see the cup back in the US but I also want to see both Bond
and NYYC get their smug asses kicked.

Walt

Re: .5

       Fancy mentioning Auckland and that other place in the same
       sentence.... you're forgiven this time, I'm definitely a
       Kiwi from Auckland.
       
       Race 5 in the series was held on Friday, 14th Feb, 1986 in a
       heavy swell with probably the strongest winds so far (20
       knots).  Three boats lost bowmen overboard (Italia from Italy,
       America II {US42 in the series} and KZ3 the other NZ
       yacht{blush}) though all were safely rescued unharmed and one
       of the other yachts broke it's mast (sorry I don't recall the
       name from the newsclip I saw).  Chris Dickson, KZ5 skipper,
       felt he had his boat surfing at just over 13 knots at times.
       Final placings in this race were:- 
       
       		1) Australia III
       		2) French Kiss
       		3) KZ5
       		4) ???? -|
       		5) ???? --- Names not mentioned in newsclip
       		6) US42
       
       As .6 mentioned US42 has been having problems blowing out
       spinnakers and wrapping them round the headfoil whilst gybing.
       
       The psychological battle of hidden keels continues with the
       NYYC and alan bond guarding their's zealously whilst the NZ
       keels are openly displayed. 
       
       I'll add further info after I get this morning's (15th)
       newspaper. In fact if I have my timzones correct this reply
       should appear before the race starts - the magic of a round
       Earth. 
       
       I'll address the Whitbread in a separate note.
             
       /Owen

	Race 6 held Saturday 15-Feb-86
        
        Wind was light and seldom went above 10 knots.  KZ5 was over
        the line at the start and had to go around again and finally
        finished in 7th place.  Australia III outduelled French Kiss
        in the middle stages and then Australia II at the end.  The
        Canadian boat True North beat America II (US42) into fourth
        place.
        
        Overall placings are now:-
        
        	Australia III	11 pts
        	Australia II    26.7 pts
        	KZ5		27.1
        	America II	(sorry paper didn't give points)
        
        /Owen.

        (Apologies for delayed report, DECnet link down from
        Australia) 

        Final race held Sunday, 16-Feb-86 

        Conditions - 25+ knot winds, short choppy seas 

        Australia III couldn't be beaten for overall 1st place (and
        did not start) so interest was on who would be 2nd overall -
        Australia II, America II or KZ5.  From the NZ point of view
        (after all I am summarising the reports we see here), KZ5 had
        to be third or better but at the same time keep Australia II
        behind it and also make sure it was no more than 2 places
        behind America II. 
        

        Tussling for the lead with French Kiss sailed by Marc Pajot,
        America II took the front at the bottom mark after both had
        passed KZ3 who had bent a spinnaker pole.  A torn mainsail on
        the final beat to the finish allowed French Kiss through to
        win by 37 secs from America II.  KZ5 hung on for 3rd with the
        Canadian entry True North finishing 4th after the Italian
        boat's bowman suffered the embarassment of being washed
        overboard again (this time, however he was accompanied by
        another crew member :-) ). 

        Final placings overall for the World 12-metre Championships:-
        

		1) Australia III                                             
		2) KZ 5 (New Zealand)
		3) America II
		4) Australia II
		5) French Kiss
		6) True North (Canada)

        Well that's the series over now and the big question now is
        what's going to be the result in February, 1987 ? 

        I'm biased obviously but I would still say watch out for the
        Kiwis (remember they've now only been on the water for about 5
        weeks and there's lots more they can learn) 

	Happy sailing over your summer,

	Owen
                                       

Let's hear it for Sailing's Kiwi Korrespondent!!!!!

Thank you very, very much, Owen. 

Ed

Ditto. Thanks and keep the faith..
Ed