America’s Cup

The race could be finished tomorrow, but probably not. Last week, we were certain that Team New Zealand would win; now we are not so sure.

The America’s Cup yachting race is between the US team Oracle and Emirates Team New Zealand in the San Francisco Harbour. They are both sailing very big catamarans with 11 men on board. They are very fast boats and the crew all wear helmets for safety. The first team to win 9 races gets the cup and it’s a beautifully decorated silver cup. By last Wednesday, 18th Sept, Team New Zealand had won 8 races and Team USA only 1. That has changed completely. Oracle won 4 races in a row while New Zealand has won none since Wednesday.

Although two races are scheduled each race day, there have also been many delays and cancellations caused by too much wind or not enough wind.

The team that wins the America’s Cup is the host for the next race. New Zealand won in 1995 and again in 2000. If team NZ wins this time, the America’s Cup will be held in Auckland, probably in four year’s time. After the win in 1995, the Viaduct harbour was built in Auckland for the big boats. If Team New Zealand wins again, there will be more improvements to Auckland harbour.

Vocabulary

• catamaran – two hulls (boats), sailors climb over a net between the two hulls
• scheduled – on the programme
• delay – wait until later, postpone
• host – provide the place and facilities

Note: British pronunciation of ‘scheduled’ begins with ‘sh’. American pronunciation begins with ‘sk’.

Questions

• Why is the New Zealand team called Emirates Team New Zealand?
• The New Zealand government gave $36m dollars to Team New Zealand. What benefit does New Zealand get from the race a) if they win? b) if the lose?
• Have you watched the racing on television? Why is it so popular in New Zealand?

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