Saturday, May 16, 2009

Valencia Sailing talks to Russell Coutts

Valencia Sailing caught up with Russell Coutts and talked about Artemis, the TP52's and, of course, the America's Cup. Artemis is standing 6th overall this morning after a couple of less than ideal races yesterday.

Valencia Sailing: How was yesterday’s racing?

Russell Coutts: It was a fantastic day for racing with really, really good conditions. From our perspective, we started the day well and we finished with two mediocre races.

Valencia Sailing: You scored a second, a ninth and a seventh, not the best results for a team of your caliber. You are sixth overall now, so what went wrong in the last two races?

Russell Coutts: We had some problems onboard in the second one, we need to get used to that boat and in the last one we didn’t get to the starting line that well and committed a few errors. You know, there is a fine line between finishing fourth or seventh and at this level even minor mistakes cost you a couple of places.

Valencia Sailing: What’s your feeling about the new Artemis in terms of speed and performance?

Russell Coutts: I think it’s a really nice boat, I really like it, it’s nicely designed. A nice boat without any doubt.

Valencia Sailing: How does it compare to the rest of new yachts in the TP52 fleet, such Artemis and Emirates Team NZ?

Russell Coutts: Very heavy with our boat. It’s an all round performing boat and I like it.

Valencia Sailing: We’ve only sailed 4 races in the 2009 AUDI Medcup. Is it too early to make any predictions about the potential winner?

Russell Coutts: Team New Zealand and Quantum are the most consistent and you would obviously expect them to be in the front at the end of the season.

Valencia Sailing: You are both an accomplished sailor and a successful yacht designer. With the TP52 box rule probably changing next year, what would you like to see?

Russell Coutts: I think the sail plans are one of the things they could look at. It’s pretty clear the boats should have dual backstays and quite a lot more area on the mainsail.

Valencia Sailing: Should the boat become bigger, a TP55 or TP60?

Russell Coutts: No, not at all. The boat is fine, it only needs a little bit more power; in light winds quite more power. They could take some of internal ballast out and increasing the weight of the bulb could be a nice feature.

Valencia Sailing: Is it wise to change the boat under the difficult financial situation we are currently experiencing?

Russell Coutts: You could just make changes that make these boats more fun to sail, without compromising the existing boats that are here. You don’t want to make a change that turns all these yachts here obsolete and useless. You can always make very good changes.

Valencia Sailing: You wouldn’t make them catamarans or trimarans, for example?

Russell Coutts: [Laughs] No, definitely monohulls. It’s good racing too. There is nothing with the hull shape. They could get some improvements with the rig and maybe the distribution of weight on the boat.

Valencia Sailing: Talking about trimarans we can’t help asking THE question. What’s your feeling about the latest court decision in the NY State Supreme Court?

Russell Coutts: I’m really not surprised by the decision. The decision was already made prior to that and, of course, that court is not able to overturn the previous order. The result was not really unexpected.

Valencia Sailing: The 33rd America’s Cup is now definitely scheduled to take place next February and Alinghi will choose a venue. Do you think it could be Valencia?

Russell Coutts: Well, if they want to race in the northern hemisphere, it has to be Valencia. I think it’s a good option for Alinghi and us. It would certainly be a cost-effective solution. Valencia is a good place to sail.

Valencia Sailing: The weather in Valencia in February is completely unstable and there is no clear pattern. Does this put you in a disadvantage, if of course Alinghi picks Valencia?

Russell Coutts: You can optimize your yacht for different conditions, depending on the size of sails you put or what size of mast you configure the boat with and so forth. There are options you have in order to improve your performance in different conditions, if you have strong winds or light winds. After all, that’s part of sailing. Look at this regatta. One day we have 2 knots and the next one 18.

Valencia Sailing: Will you be aboard the trimaran during the match?

Russell Coutts: I’m not sure and I think that at this stage, probably not. Obviously, we have sailors that are focused on multihull sailing and we will pick the best team on the day.

Valencia Sailing: Last but not least. If BMW Oracle wins the 33rd match will you hold the next conventional edition in Valencia?

Russell Coutts: That’s not my decision, it’s Mr Ellison’s decision but he has already said that he thinks it would be wise to try and hold a conventional America’s Cup as soon as possible and Valencia has all the facilities and as a result it’s probably the best-positioned venue to have the next Cup as soon as possible.

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14 Comments:

At 2:37 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Russal Coutts is old news, he is a has been, his sailing results are getting worse and worse. Thats why Allinghi got rid of him, and passed him on to Crazy Larry

 
At 3:26 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

3 time winner of the AC is a has been? I guess EB is a "never was" since he's only one 2.

As for where AC33 should be held IF BMWO/GGYC wins, it needs to go back to the States. Primarily because the AC needs to be defended in the defenders HOME waters. Enough of this venue out to the highest bidder bullshit. And getting the AC out of Europe as soon as possible will go a long way to bringing normalcy back to the America's Cup.

And besides, it would appear most Euro's that post on here think America, and American's, are dumb hicks that wish only harm and death on the world. Clearly something named The America's Cup has no place in Europe and it shouldn't.

 
At 4:29 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Russell Coutts is new news, he is a has been and he is now, his sailing results are getting well. Ernesto Bertarelli is not a sailor, simply: he's only a jealous man.

 
At 6:05 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

3:36pm- I believe you are referring to the Hundred Guinea Cup. The only reason it found its way to America is because the Schooner "America" cheated around the Isle of Wight and won the cup. Well done to the yanks and all that.. but. Its home is not America. The cup will only ever be "home" if it finds its way back to the Royal Yacht Squadron. twat

 
At 6:10 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

4;29pm
Do you sleep with a picture of RC beside your bed?

 
At 11:10 PM, Anonymous Norberto said...

Silly dumb Americans, they cannot get over the fact that they haven't touched the AC trophy since 1992. They keep loosing (on the water) but yet claim that they are the greatest sailors in the world. And Russel Coutts keeps loosing because he is working for a self absorbed egomaniac. He may not even be sailing the 33rd AC ... how is that for STUPIDITY!!!!!!

 
At 12:34 AM, Anonymous WetHog said...

"Its home is not America. The cup will only ever be "home" if it finds its way back to the Royal Yacht Squadron. twat"

When something like the America's Cup Trophy calls America its home for 132 years I think its safe to say America is where the America's Cup belongs.

And with Dame Mills calling it quits with Origin, I hope your not holding your breath that the AMERICA'S Cup will make a visit to its old, really old, relatives anytime soon.

As for the "twat" referrence. Takes one to know one doesn't it. :P

 
At 4:28 AM, Anonymous WetHog said...

"Silly dumb Americans, they cannot get over the fact that they haven't touched the AC trophy since 1992. They keep loosing (on the water) but yet claim that they are the greatest sailors in the world. And Russel Coutts keeps loosing because he is working for a self absorbed egomaniac. He may not even be sailing the 33rd AC ... how is that for STUPIDITY!!!!!!"

Well unless Norberto is a Kiwi name I think its safe to assume your countrymen have NEVER touched the America's Cup. That being the case, which ever country you call home, its safe to say America is a better sailing nation then yours. :P

 
At 10:58 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hey Hog. At least you didnt contest the fact that the yanks cheated all those years ago. Think yourselves lucky that the brits had enough integrity to allow the cheating bS&%$ds to take it away. They didnt drag it through the courts and cry because they were cheated out of the race. never mind. Perhaps one day a real american team will appear and have a shot at winning this cup with a little honour and integrity.

 
At 12:08 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

10:58 AM - Are you saying that SNG didn't cheat by creating CNEV a non-qualified yacht club? Hmmm, seems the courts & most of the AC community thinks otherwise.

Really sad that you don't understand when someone is cheating & being self serving. We wouldn't be where we are if it wasn't for SNG greed & flipping everyone off.

Another of your errors is that if you look at the court records you will see that SNG has been in court 5 to GGYC 2.

Also, how many Swiss sailors are on Alinghi? Is it really a Swiss team? Hasn't been since day 1 mean EB spent millions to get the Kiwi core to jump ship.

 
At 12:52 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks Hogy. Good fun sparring with you.

 
At 11:37 PM, Anonymous WetHog said...

Sparring is fun. And I am up to the challenge anytime you wish to debate again. I love the AC. But lets keep nation bashing to a minimum. There are no nations in this lovely world of ours that can preach from a pedistal of virtue.

 
At 6:01 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Whatever you say yank

 
At 7:03 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

" There are no nations in this lovely world of ours that can preach from a pedistal of virtue" ..... well, minus the Americans? They can! Because they know it all! And if they don't know, then they sue, or make war .....

 

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