EPIC BATTLE AT SEA – 33rd AMERICA’S CUP
Valencia, Spain

With rivalries abound and court room proceedings laid to rest, the 33rd America’s Cup is finally underway. Two giant multihulls operated by the world’s best sailors, are navigating at speeds in excess of 25 knots, representing the fastest sailing to have ever been seen in the history of the America’s Cup. The Defender – Alinghi and the Challenger – BMW Oracle Racing are fighting for the oldest trophy to be competed in international sports, period!

RACE 1 Kaenon Polarized was all over the unprecedented America’s Cup, featuring the most innovative and exciting sailboats ever built. BMW Oracle Racing tactician, John Kostecki, wearing Hard Kore, C12 lens put USA 17 in an excellent position at the start to draw a penalty on Alinghi. This move provided an immediate advantage to the American Challenger.

As the start gun fired, Alinghi 5, with tactician, Brad Butterworth also wearing Hard Kore, C12 lens, held a brief speed advantage, until Kostecki spotted a slot of stronger, favorable breeze that allowed BMW Oracle to climb above and move forward on Alinghi to wrestle the lead shortly after the start. After that, the Challenger’s Wing Sail – operated and trimmed by Dirk DeRidder, wearing Kore, G12 lens, and Joey Newton in Hard Kore, G12 lens – proved more efficient with BMW Oracle holding a 5% speed advantage upwind and an 11% advantage downwind, to claim huge time and distance victory in Race 1.