While channel surfing I stumbled across one of the Louis Vuitton Challenge Cup races from San Francisco. This is the series of races that determines who the challenger will be versus the reigning champ Oracle boat in the America's Cup (yacht racing). I was absolutely mesmerized by what these things can do!
This is Luna Rossa, the Italian entry.
What I didn't fully understand until they explained it last night, if the skipper is really on his toes and can balance his boat just right, these 72' catamarans can actually rise out of the water, riding on just a couple of curved foils (like underwater wings), the hulls never touching the water. This reduces drag and enables them to go well over 40 mph.
It seems to me they're as much airplane as boat. It's like watching a ballet, the dancer precariously balanced on her tippy-toes.
I think things like this appeal to me so much because they are unlike anything I'll ever see here in Dallas, Tx, USA. It's sort of like downhill skiing or the luge in the winter Olympics.
I wonder if people who live in the mountains ever just sit around and think, "Oh man, I'd love to see people walking on flat ground, just standing there....sweating. I wonder if there's a cable channel that shows cool stuff like that?"
Have a great Saturday everyone. I've gotta get going....I have a big day planned. I'm gonna stand here on flat ground....and sweat. :)
S
