Cup Experience News

Issue 40 | Friday 18 November 2016

The final AC World Series is happening during the last Basho (Grand Tournament) of the 2016 sumo season at the Fukuoka Kokusai Center. Land Rover BAR visited with some of the wrestlers at their heya (training stable). Jono Macbeth, Ed Powys and Giles Scott decided to enter the dohyō (ring). When you see the video you'll probably agree that Jono, Ed and Giles should stick to sailing. Click the photo below to watch.

Good news: The racing will be livestreamed on Facebook: Live streaming available via the Official America's Cup Facebook page

Bad news: The livestream will be blacked out in the UK, France and certain other countries.

18 November 23.00-00.30 ET
19 November 23.00-00.30 ET
Find the viewing options for your country here.

Race schedule (local time in Fukuoka).

At the end of racing on Sunday, we'll know who won the bonus points for the AC Qualifiers next May (dates here). The Qualifiers will eliminate one challenger and give Oracle or a challenger a one point lead to start the America's Cup Match.

For this final AC World Series event, the obvious competition is between Land Rover BAR and Oracle for first place and two bonus points. With a 14 point lead BAR are in a good position to win the series. Let's take an example to see why this is true: If Oracle were to finish one place ahead of BAR in each race on Saturday and two places ahead of them in each race on Sunday, Oracle would score 15 more points than BAR and just squeak into first place. Who wants to bet on that? For our Kiwi fans, to win the series, ETNZ would need to finish two places ahead of BAR in every race, Saturday and Sunday to get ahead of BAR.

I'll be watching the battle between Oracle and ETNZ for second place, with its one bonus point reward. With only three points between them, that looks like where the real action will be.

Oh, by the way... They sailed a "reserve race" today, Friday. It will count if there is no racing on Saturday - quite possible with the forecast for very light wind. Who won that race? BAR, with Oracle second. Anyone want to bet against BAR to win the series?

You can hear team owner Larry Ellison's comments on the practice racing here:

Each team is allowed 11 people who can "touch the boat" - the five man (highlighted in yellow) crew plus shore team and possibly a spare sailor (highlighted in red).

America's Cup Guide