Kiel, GER, hosted the latest edition of the iShares Cup featuring the Extreme 40 class. These boats, the race format, the Field of Play location, and the style of rule adjudication all add up to a fantastic presentation of our sport. What a great job Offshore Challange Events, OC Events, has done to show what the very best our sport has to offer.
More than 80,000 people came to watch over the three days of racing held just off the Kiel habour area in the inner fjord. Of course things had to be well timed; the ferries and commercial shipping couldn't be stopped but with short-course racing it was relatively easy to meet everyone's needs. And the ferry boat customers got a very close view of the action!
The commentators kept the crowds well informed and motivated, and when we did have a break in the racing - to re-lay the course - they organised 'fly-pasts' to trill the crowds - the biggest applause going to the boat flying the windward hull highest (one almost capsized which would have been a great talking point for the winter months!).
It was tough going for the umpires - although there were only ten competing boats competing the rapid change of bat speed meant that even if things settled down after the first top mark pressure points could easily develop at any stage of the race, and usually did! Hard work but great fun too.
Off to umpire 'normal' match racing next, in Berlin, GER ............
5 comments:
Ewan,
There was a crash between Holmatro and Team Origin. Can you tell something about the rules involved in a post comment on my blog?
If I knew how I would!
Just click on the "x comments" below the post and type...
Its seem interesting. you provided lots of nice links and information and specially about the iShares Cup. Thanks for sharing.
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