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Photos of the Day: UBS Cup

June 21 - Newport, RI

Today's Photos of the Day are from the UBS Cup racing between friendly old America's Cup foes Alinghi, the America's Cup winner from Switzerland, and BMW Oracle from the Golden Gate YC in San Francisco. The action took place this weekend in Newport, RI, the long-time home of the America's Cup, which hasn't seen A-Cup action in 21 years. As opposed to the old days when they sailed in 12 Meters and offshore, the UBS Cup - which continues all week - features IACC boats racing in the very tight quarters of Narragansett Bay.

Newport
Photo ©Onne van der Wal

The action has been very exciting, with the Pro Driver Series currently tied at 2-2. Peter Holmberg, who in the last America's Cup sailed for Oracle BMW, is now driving for Alinghi since Russell Coutts and the Swiss syndicate seem to have had a falling out. Gavin Brady is driving for Oracle with Northern California's John Kostecki calling tactics. To add to Alinghi's crew woes, mainstay Brad Butterworth was out of action after suffering a broken ankle in a car accident. Nine more races are scheduled this week.

BMW Oracle on the starting line of Race 4
Photo ©Thierry Martinez

BMW Oracle sailing in a nice breeze
Photo ©Thierry Martinez

BMW Oracle, USA 76, leading Alinghi, SUI 64, in the last downwind leg.
Photo ©Thierry Martinez

Morning Glory Set Record in Newport to Bermuda Race

June 21 - Bermuda

Sailing in the Big Boat Demonstration Division of the 157-boat 44th Newport to Bermuda Race, Hasso Plattner's R/P MaxZ86 Morning Glory bested Roy Disney's sistership Pyewacket by five hours in the process of setting a new Newport to Bermuda record by five hours. Actually, Morning Glory's new mark doesn't count as a race record because she's in the 'Demonstration Class'. Morning Glory covered the 630-mile classic route in 48.5 hours, an average of 13 knots. They were hoping for better weather and a faster run, nonetheless, Novato's Dee Smith, sailing master and project director for Morning Glory, reported that owner Plattner was "ecstatic" over his victory. Two years ago Plattner finished in third place behind Disney when the latter set the race mark with his old Pyewacket, an R/P 75.

"This boat is fantastic," Smith said. "It is quick. We feel comfortable sailing it. We have a lot of confidence in the design and the structure and the gear. With good people on the boat we just go ahead and push it around."

The lead changed several times during the race. Pyewacket led off the start, but Morning Glory was only four boat lengths astern and caught up three hours later. How fast can these boats go? Stan Honey issued this report once they'd gotten clear of the effects of the Gulf Stream: "We have been jib reaching with a double-head rig. At the peak of the Stream we were sailing at 25 knots over the bottom, with 6.5 of those knots contributed by the Gulf Stream. That is about 28 mph, which isn't quite fast enough to get us a speeding ticket on a residential street, but it is close. For complete details, visit www.bermudarace.com.

Sausalito's Dick Enersen was on hand to take this photo of Pyewacket and Morning Glory at the start. The DeVos family's Windquest is just out of sight.

Who Stole Kevin's Little Boat?

June 21 - San Francisco Bay

"I'm sad to report that my Coronado 15 has been stolen from the Bair Island Aquatic Center next to Docktown Marina in Redwood City," reports Kevin Wasbauer. "She's US 3406, is glossy white with blue trim on a white trailer, and was last seen a week ago. There were no sails or rudder onboard. If anyone has any information, please call me at (650) 743-1389 - I miss her!"