Raise your hand if you thought the America’s Cup was something you drank wine out of or maybe the trophy for a prized pig at the state fair? Well, the America’s Cup is actually a competitive high speed international sailing race that takes place every few years.
All aboard,
The Last Night's Game Team
Five Things To Know About America’s Cup
- America’s Cup started in 1851 in England (although Britain has never won) and is the world's oldest continuous sporting event. The teams are currently racing in Bermuda in the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Qualifiers & Challenger Playoffs with the winner taking on the previous champions, Oracle Team U.S.A., for the title starting next week.
- The team that wins the previous race chooses the location, format and the rules for the next race. (The 2013 race took place in San Francisco).
- The race is known as the “F1 on water” (Formula One racing). Why? The boats, which are propelled by the wind not engines, have massive engineering teams that use technology to push the limits of performance and aerodynamics, seeking top speeds (57 mph). The boats actually fly above the water which is called foiling. It raises out of the water onto hydrofoils to skim across the waves.
- It’s often referred to as the “Billionaire’s Death Race” because the cost of participating is so extravagant that only the wealthy can afford it. Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison is one of the main players. He spent $115 million for Oracle Team U.S.A. to successfully defend the 2013 title.
- The boat's crew of six train hard for this race utilizing logic puzzles, memory apps, boxing, free diving and even hostage training situations with Navy Seals. (Possibly preparing for pirates)?
- Want more? Here you go.
Overtime
- Racehorse Horsey McHorseface has won his first race in Australia. The name was inspired by the poll that chose Boaty McBoatface as the name for a research ship (the ship was never actually named that. Boo). The horse’s owner thought the name was funny and then said, “why not?”
Sideline stat
- The NBA (National Basketball Association) Finals will resume tonight with the Golden State Warriors up 2-0 in the series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. (This was the same situation the teams were in last year and the Cavs came back to win it all).
Tomorrow night the NHL (National Hockey League) Finals will take place in Pittsburgh where the series is all tied up between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Nashville Predators. We’ll see if a catfish makes another appearance. (Don’t know what we’re talking about, click here).
Coaches’ corner
- Monday’s 17 inning game (a regulation game is seven innings) between the Oklahoma Sooners and the Florida Gators was the most watched College Softball World Series game ever. Last night the Sooners wrapped up the series to claim their second consecutive college softball national championship.
