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On the Water
America’s Cup Race 5 of 9 - Advantage Alinghi
By Mike Hanlon
June 29, 2007 Alinghi beat Emirates Team New Zealand on Friday afternoon in perfect 15 knot sea breeze conditions to take a 3-2 lead in the 32nd America’s Cup Match. It wasn’t a straightforward win. The Swiss trailed over the starting line and around the first top mark as Emirates Team New Zealand showed aggression in the pre-start, forcing the SUI 100 helmsman Ed Baird to attempt to shake them off by using the spectator fleet. The Kiwis converted the small advantage off the starting line into a 12 second lead around the first mark. Then a single moment could well have turned the tide as a burst spinnaker on NZL 92 (pictured) and a poor recovery by the crew, saw Alinghi slide past and grab a lead it would never relinquish, eventually finishing 19 seconds ahead of the Emirates squad. Race Six is scheduled for Saturday afternoon. Read More
Alinghi wins Race Four to tie the America's Cup Match 2-2
By Mike Hanlon
June 27, 2007 America's Cup defender Alinghi beat Emirates Team New Zealand to square the match at two wins apiece here today in Valencia. The Swiss team led the entire race, on another day of tricky, shifty conditions, with the light 8 to 10 knot wind blowing out of the East. SUI 100 helmsman Ed Baird won the right hand side of the starting line and Alinghi was in a powerful position for the rest of the race. The scoreline reads 2-2 with Thursday a scheduled 'off' day, and racing set to resume on Friday. Read More
America's Cup Race 3 – another Emirates Team NZ victory
By Mike Hanlon
June 26, 2007 Emirates Team New Zealand won its second consecutive race in the 32nd America's Cup Match here today, beating Alinghi by 25 seconds in a thrilling race that will go down in the books as one of the most exciting matches in Cup history. With difficult weather conditions which saw massive windshifts over much of the race course area, the Team NZ built a massive lead early, only to see it disappear during the middle portion of the race. The final run to the finish in a dying breeze gave them a second chance, and this time skipper Dean Barker and his afterguard were up to the task, finding more wind on the right side of the race course and streaking past Alinghi for the win just metres from the finishing line. Read More
Autonomous, self-mooring buoy system
June 26, 2007 Both military and scientific missions stand to benefit from a new rapidly-deployable and autonomous mooring buoy system developed by Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and Lockheed Martin. Capable of being launched from air or sea, the system can self-moor in various bottom types - including sand, mud or rock - to depths of between 30 and 650 feet and has applications ranging from submarine detection to the collection of meteorological and oceanographic measurements. Read More
Race 2 to NZ – it’s all square in the America’s Cup
By Mike Hanlon
June 24, 2007 Just when we thought the high-tech Alinghi had the edge, Emirates Team New Zealand came from behind to square the score in the 32nd America’s Cup Match. Conditions were ideal with a 10 knot breeze, and an enormous spectator fleet surrounded the course (see image gallery). The first half of the race was a carbon copy of the first race but the second lap belonged to the Kiwis, who made the pass on the second beat and extended on the run to the finish. Racing will resume on Tuesday in the best of nine race series. Read More
Alinghi wins first race of America’s Cup match
By Mike Hanlon
June 23, 2007 America’s Cup Defender Alinghi won the first race of the 32nd America’s Cup Match on Saturday afternoon in the waters off Valencia. In perfect conditions for racing, with a stable 12 knot sea breeze, Emirates New Zealand skipper Dean Barker won the start, but within a few minutes, Alinghi showed enough pace to force the Kiwi boat to tack, and from there, the Swiss were in control. Alinghi is now long odds-on with bookmakers to win the best of nine race series, Read More
The Front-Runner: Radical new personal boating concept
June 22, 2007 Although it looks like there should be a Jedi Knight at the controls, these pics of the innovative Front-Runner were not taken on a film set. The full-size hydrofoil watercraft employs twin 215 horsepower forward-mounted jet-drive motors and an airplane-like steering system to create what's been described as an off-roading experience on water. The steering system allows changes in heading, pitch and bank, and its ability to navigate shallow waters means the 11 foot long Front-Runner can reach previously inaccessible places. One of the most outstanding water going craft we've encountered, the concept is not far from reality according to designer Joey Ruiter, with the productions costs and price tag expected to be comparable to a typical twin-engine jet boat. Having completed a working prototype the focus is now on finding a manufacturer to take the project into the production phase. Read More
Emirates Team New Zealand claims The Louis Vuitton Cup
By Mike Hanlon
June 7, 2007 The entire Emirates Team New Zealand squad climbed up on the prize giving stage to receive the Louis Vuitton Cup on Wednesday evening, after winning the fifth race of the Final, to sweep their way into the final of the America’s Cup. The 5-0 sweep was a first time in Louis Vuitton Cup history and the next task for Emirates Team New Zealand is facing Alinghi in the 32nd America’s Cup Match. Throughout the four years of preliminaries (Louis Vuitton Acts), the Kiwis and the Alinghi team have sailed 10 matches, with the Kiwis up 6-4. Last year, the Kiwis won 4 of 5 races. The intriguing battle for this global trophy which showcases the best sailors and the finest nautical technology begins in a little over a fortnight - 23 June. You can follow the racing on the internet in several ways such as the official race tracker, Live Sailing’s real-time 3D animation with real-time boat speeds, time and distances, live weather data, and audio commentaries and free on demand Internet video coverage of the 32nd America's Cup on your PC or Mac. Read More
Collapsible catamaran fits in a sports bag
By Loz Blain
May 23, 2007 Part of sailing's exclusive reputation is due to the considerable cost and inconvenience of owning, transporting and storing watercraft. A UK company has just made the sport far more accessible, with a range of small, sporty 2-person catamarans that fold up and fit into a convenient carry bag - so it's now possible to take your own boat on holiday with you, or become a weekend racer with your boat stored in a cupboard through the week. Read More
Why the America's Cup is the oldest and richest prize in sport
By Mike Hanlon
May 22, 2007 In a fascinating study, Allianz, the main sponsor of BMW ORACLE Racing, has released details of a report into the economic impact of participating, winning and hosting the America's Cup, the oldest trophy in international sport. The report takes into account a range of factors such as infrastructure investment, international visitors, media, sponsor, business, construction, accommodation, hospitality, retail, entertainment, transport and logistics and the conclusion is that it provides a massive fiscal injection. The report makes interesting reading. If Alinghi won the Cup and took it to Dubai, the economic impact for Dubai would be US$10 Billion. If BMW ORACLE Racing were to win the Cup and take it to either San Francisco or Newport the corresponding economic impact would be US$9.9 B or US$4.5 B. Total economic return for hosting the 33rd America's Cup in Auckland, New Zealand would reach US$1.75 B, however Emirates Team New Zealand could expect to generate increased revenues if it chose to host the event in Dubai. Total economic return from Luna Rossa winning and then hosting the America's Cup in Genoa, Italy would be in the region of US$3.75 B. Right now, the most likely scenarios involve Luna Rossa and Emirates Team New Zealand will fight out the final where they will win the right to take on Alinghi. Read More
A modern engineering masterpiece - the nuclear sub that will go 25 years without refuelling
By Loz Blain
May 21, 2007 A hulking 100 metres long, the Astute is the largest, most heavily armed, stealthiest and most sophisticated submarine ever built for the Royal Navy. The massive nuclear sub, which will never need refuelling in its 25 year service life, is able to circumnavigate the globe underwater, producing its own fresh water and air for the crew - and its range is only really limited by the need for fresh food supplies. From every angle, it is an engineering masterpiece, spoken of as one of the great engineering achievements of all time and more complex than the space shuttle. Britain's Royal Navy is set to launch this new flagship in less than a month. Read More
World's first solar-powered transatlantic crossing a complete success
By Loz Blain
May 15, 2007 With the oil age slowly coming to an end, the key defining moment of the the 21st Century will likely be the human race's transition to renewable energy. And while we'll have to be dragged kicking and screaming from our dependance on fossil fuels, small groups of innovators are already paving the way toward the next step. In a giant leap towards unfuelled travel, a full-sized motorised catamaran, the "sun21," has just completed a leisurely crossing of the Atlantic ocean without consuming a drop of fuel. Stored solar energy powered the 5-man crew from Spain to the USA at a constant rate of 5-6 knots around the clock via electric engines. This is a major achievement - a reliable, long-distance, powered vehicle with zero fuel costs - and its successful journey hints at a cleaner, greener, cheaper future of transport. Read More
Watercross racing: what to do with your snowmobile in summer
By Loz Blain
May 15, 2007 Here's an extreme sport that's been developing quietly behind our backs for 30 years now. Snowmobile fanatics around the world are lightly modifying their high-powered vehicles for frenzied "Watercross" races on lakes in the summertime. The massive machines buck, jump and wheelie their way to ferocious 60mph top speeds, and are as physical to ride and turn as a motocross bike. Game on! Read More
Sealegs – boating without the hassles
By Mike Hanlon
May 14, 2007 Viewed from one angle, Sealegs is the world’s most advanced amphibian, but from another, it’s boating without the hassles. While getting a boat in the water is not exactly a herculean task, it nonetheless prevents many people from going boating every day. Sealegs takes the entire process of launching and docking a boat out of the equation – just get in, drive into the water and reverse the process at the other end. The current Sealegs offering is essentially a 5.7 metre Rigid Inflatable Boat with Sealegs retractable 3-wheel system embedded. The addition of the system costs around US$20,000 to the cost of a normal inflatable and adds 100 kg for the ability to drive up any surface from which you can launch a boat. There’s an optional drive-on boat trailer as the boat isn’t registerable for the open road. On land it runs at 6 mph but it does considerably better on water with a top speed of 35 mph thanks to a 120 horespower engine. There’s a 7m version coming soon that can handle a 150 horsepower motor. In Australia, the 5.7 metre version costs AUD$ 49,000 plus another AUD$14,000 for a 120 horsepower motor. The new 7metre unit fully decked out with options will run to AUD$110,000. Demand is growing with a 12 month wait for orders already, the manufacturer is gearing up to increase production capacity by 400% which means the queue won’t be as long in the future. Read More
America's Cup: down to the final four challengers
By Loz Blain
May 10, 2007 The Louis Vuitton cup is heating up. The 10th flight of racing saw Desafio Espanol 2007 join BMW Oracle, Luna Rossa and Emirates Team New Zealand as the four semi-finallists. The winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup gets to tackle the defending Swiss champion Alinghi in a best-of-9 series to decide who takes home the America's Cup, the oldest sporting trophy in the world. Read More
A0: the hybrid-powered luxury sports catamaran
By Loz Blain
May 10, 2007 We love this design concept from Spanish design team Ubica. The A0 is a powered catamaran with vast amounts of luxurious living space in the two side floaters, a maximum speed of 50 knots and an estimated power output of around 2740 kilowatts from a hybrid biodiesel turbine/electric powerplant. Read More
Bullimore off to a difficult start on round-the-world record attempt
By Loz Blain
May 9, 2007 Fortune has not been smiling on solo yachtsman Tony Bullimore in his latest attempt to break the solo round-the-world sailing record of 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes 33 seconds set by Dame Ellen MacArthur in 2005. Battered by strong winds and suffering the loss of his heavy-weather staysail, Bullimore has been forced off course to preserve his boat. Only on day six of his journey, he's already behind the record pace - but the 69 year old Brit is confident that once he's past Cape Horn his boat will have the speed to make up lost time under the light winds of the Atlantic ocean. Read More
A bicycle built for two (and a boat)
By Mike Hanlon
May 7, 2007 It’s not your average bicycle, which probably explains why it costs US$5000, but it is the perfect partner for one of the beautifully-crafted Caillou luxury sailing canoes of the same manufacturer and each one is custom built and colour-matched to your boat. The Boat sits on a sidecar that attaches to the tandem bicycle by means of quick release couplings, enabling the bike to be used as a normal tandem bike when you’re not transporting a canoe. “Like our boats we are promoting a more accessible marine lifestyle,” said Caillou’s Antonio Marques, “and we wanted a means of transportation for those who lived within seaside or lakeside communities but didn’t have direct access to the water.” Read More
Fiat and Sunseeker join forces in P1 Powerboat racing
By Loz Blain
May 2, 2007 In a deal that reflects the maturing of the P1 Powerboat World Championship, Sunseeker have secured a deal to use Fiat Powertrain Technologies (FPT) engines in their 2007 title quest. This agreement is the first of its kind in Powerboat racing and is usually only seen in the Formula One arena, which shows how much the P1 championship is taking off as a sport. Read More
SeaBob, the rechargeable hand-held underwater propulsion device.
By Loz Blain
April 30, 2007 Ever wondered what it feels like to power through the water like a dolphin? The SeaBob is like a cross between a jet-ski and a bodyboard -hold on tight and leap through the waves, or turn downward and head for the ocean floor with speed, grace and agility. This simple device creates a whole new category of recreational vehicle, and it looks like a blast! Read More
Dockwise debuts the world's biggest purpose-built yacht carrier
By Loz Blain
"The majority of yachts do not have the range to reach many of the world's inviting cruising areas and international playgrounds," reads the company's vision statement, but this need no longer be a limitation. Yacht owners simply sail their craft into the massive semi-submersible Yacht Express, where they are securely attached. The owners can then rendezvous with the yacht at its destination, or accompany their craft aboard the carrier in five-star luxury. Read More
Reinventing the ball for new recreational pursuits
By Mike Hanlon
April 12, 2007 Bizit Air Products have come up with a fun idea - inflatable plastic balls with up to a 4.5 metre/15 foot diameter that can accomodate dancers, motorcycles, and even cars for a showstopping presentation that's hard to ignore. Fully sealed, the balls allow an occupant to walk on land, water, or even a sea of hands, all the while looking like they're trapped in a soap bubble. Read More
2007 America's Cup: Louis Vuitton Cup starting Monday to determine a challenger for Swiss powerhouse Alinghi.
By Loz Blain
April 12, 2007 The eyes of the nautical world are all on Spain at present where the biggest show on water has convened to determine the contender to take on Alinghi for "ye auld mug". The completion of the Lois Vuitton Ranking fleet races gives us time to pause and reflect before the one-on-one Louis Vuitton Cup races begin next Monday to decide on a final challenger to the defending Alinghi team in the 2007 America's Cup regatta. Read More
Walking on water, Nordic-style
By Mike Hanlon
April 4, 2007 Four Architecture students from the Univerity of Munich have come up with a device that combines a gondola with an elliptical trainer to produce a unique sensation of "walking on water." The bizarre "TU-Fin" concept is the brainchild of designers I.Kiryakov, S.Ballmeier, K.Eichelberg & M.Dressler, and is essentially a racing canoe hull with an elliptical exercise machine mounted to it. Exercising on the machine powers a pair of rear-mounted flippers that propel the craft forward to an estimated 6.5 knots. Unlike a rowing action, the user is able to look forwards as they go. Read More
Gibbs and Lockheed Martin to develop high speed amphibious vehicles for military use
By Mike Hanlon
April 3, 2007 The promise of robust, affordable and extremely practical commercial amphibian vehicles for domestic purposes moved much closer this week with the news that Lockheed Martin and Gibbs Technologies have agreed to develop a family of high speed amphibious vehicles designed specifically for military operations. The resultant vehicles will advance Gibbs technologies and almost certainly increase production to far more cost-efficient levels. The militarized High Speed Amphibians (HSAs) will use technology from a fleet of prototype amphibious vehicles developed by Gibbs Technologies for consumer use, including the Gibbs Aquada, a three-person sports car, Gibbs Humdinga, a four-wheel military vehicle, and Gibbs Quadski, an amphibious all terrain vehicle. Gibbs' technology enables amphibians to travel at speeds over 45 mph on water and over 100 mph on land - and to transition from water-to-land or land-to-water in five seconds. These features provide a much needed capability for military littoral, riverine and special operations. Read More
Freedom Glen
- November 25, 2009 @ 02:47 UTC
