America's Cup: A quiz to clear the murky waters
Why are race courses shortened as they're run? Which team is fastest when tacking? Test your knowledge with Todd Niall's quiz.
Q 1 : Team New Zealand was penalised on day two for being too early into the start box. By how much?
A : 0.7 seconds.
Helmsmen Peter Burling of Emirates Team New Zealand, Franck Cammas of Groupama Team France, Sir Ben Ainslie of Land Rover BAR (UK), Jimmy Spithill of Oracle Team USA, Dean Barker of Softbank Team Japan and Nathan Outteridge of Artemis Racing with the trophy and its case for the America's Cup challenger series in Bermuda. Photo: Photosport NZ
Q 2 : How do they know that?
A : Umpires and the boat crews watch the same data beamed to their screens electronically.
Emirates Team New Zealand training, hitting the water hard. Photo: Photosport
Q 3 : Is that the smallest margin ever recorded?
A : No, in an America's Cup world series event one boat was pinged for being over by about 4-5cm.
Team New Zealand battling the elements. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Q 4 : When the boats turn, or tack, which team appears to be quickest?
A : Regatta director Iain Murray says data shows Team NZ has the "highest minimum" speed.
Emirates Team New Zealand training. Photo: Photosport
Q 5 : Why do they shorten the race course during the race?
A : To try to maintain a consistent race duration, and avoid races running out of time (limit 25 minutes).
Team New Zealand race against Oracle in America's Cup 2013 in San Francisco. Photo: Photosport NZ
Q 6 : Why didn't that happen in San Francisco in 2013 when Team NZ got agonisingly close to the line when time ran out?
A : It's a new rule - yeah, tell me about it!
Team New Zealand having a huddle on the boat before racing starts. America's Cup, Bermuda, 2017. Photo: RNZ / Todd Niall
Q 7 : Who makes up these rules?
A : The teams, however the Cup defender must agree to rule changes. Team NZ often disagrees with current defender Oracle Team USA.
Crowds at the America's Cup Village in Bermuda. Photo: Photosport NZ
Q 8 : Is there still spying?
A : It's legal, for example as Team NZ fitted its wing, observers from Groupama watched from an inflatable, and neighbour Artemis had the long lenses out.
