America's Cup

[DumfriesDik]

Sir Ben Ainslie will begin Britain's bid to win the 35th America's Cup as the opening leg of the series gets under way in Portsmouth.
The preliminary stages are being held in the Solent, where the four-time Olympic gold medallist will lead the British challenge.
Six teams will battle it out at regattas around the world ahead of the final races in 2017.

More here

Amazing machines - part boat, part plane it seems and ridiculous speeds they can get up to. Quite an extra-ordinary chap that Sir Ben is, fingers crossed he brings the cup back to blighty.

 

[Roundozo]

They are amazing indeed. If you haven't seen them go and have a look at one going full chat on YouTube, they literally fly out of the water!

 

[markplant]

I did see a couple of the boats been put in the water on Tuesday as they where using the quayside in navy yard

 

[jimmybell]

Worth highlighting the budget for the Oracle boat was around 250mil, vs 150 for an average F1 team (that has significant budget padding from sponsorship covering half of the bill).

 

[DumfriesDik]

Wow thats a lot of loot for a boat! Mind you, uses less fuel when its running flat out than an F1 car. A bit of payback I suppose!