RobiNZ Personal Blog

Sky NZ Formula 1 2012 coverage sucks

As sent to Sky New Zealand:

Do you offer a discount for my Sky Sport Subscription due to poor quality product?

The F1 coverage from Melbourne was absolute rubbish. No intro, vast chucks with no commentary and mismatched sound (car engine noise after all the cars had stopped running?).

In a year when Sky U.K. are promising better than ever coverage it appears Sky NZ have got the cheapest possible package.

Regards,
Annoyed F1 Fan

On the upside, looks like (Ferrari aside) the racing is going to be great.

TVNZ iPhone app reveals why NZ sports media is boring

Look at the categories which feature then think what is consigned to "Other Sports".

No escape from Woo, even in Hospital

I took my Mum to see the Kidney Specialist (all good after this routine check-up) and in the Hospital public waiting area they had a TV showing TVNZ One. I know the Hospital can't control advertisements but seemed rather unfortunate that it meant enduring a "Mis-informercial" for Homeopathic medication.

I prefer science to nonscience, I mean nonsense. Perhaps they should show Mitchell & Webb...

Party Central, are they are using our money to get yours?

Thinking why there is a need for the Rugby World Cup “Party Central”? It struck me that, unlike The Viaduct just a few hundred metres away, It is:

• A contained area away from other commercial activity
• Somewhere they can sell concessions to food/drink vendors
• Somewhere they can what is offered and pricing

Imagine Rugby World pour into town and fill the existing bars, restaurants and clubs. None of their money would go to the organisers. Is that why they need to provide a place to party?

Perhaps it would be more accurate to name it “Party Containment”

Meanwhile the WRC Rally NZ, a bi-annual event, that also returns international publicity and tourist dollars faces oblivion with little government support, You know it makes sense.

So, New Zealand wins either way?

If this race ever gets going…

BMW Oracle:

1. Bowman: Brad Webb (NZL)
2. Pitman: Simone de Mari (ITA)
3. Jib Trimmer: Ross Halcrow (NZL)
4. Wing Sail Trimmer: Dirk de Ridder (NED)
5. Wing Sail Caddy: Joey Newton (AUS)
6. Tactician: John Kostecki (USA)
7. Skipper/Helmsman: James Spithill (AUS)
8. Navigator: Matteo Plazzi (ITA)
9. Aft Pit: Thierry Fouchier (FRA)
10. Mast: Matthew Mason (NZL)

Alinghi:

1. Bowman: Piet van Nieuwenhuijzen (NED)
2. Midbow: Curtis Blewett (CAN)
3. Pitman: Rodney Ardern (NZL)
4. Trimmer upwind: Simon Daubney (NZL)
5. Trimmer downwind: Nils Frei (SUI)
6. Mainsail trimmer: Warwick Fleury (NZL)
7. Traveller: Pierre-Yves Jorand (SUI)
8. Helmsman: Ernesto Bertarelli (SUI)
9. Tactician: Brad Butterworth (NZL)
10. Runner: Murray Jones (NZL)
11. Navigator: Juan Vila (ESP)
12. Floater: Jan Dekker (RSA/FRA)
13. Floater: Loïck Peyron (FRA)
14. Pre-start: Peter Evans (NZL)

Grant Dalton on Bloomberg TV

Valencia Sailing have the web version and it’s worth a watch. Grant Dalton is his usual frank self on the future of Team NZ and the America’s Cup: 

Valencia Sailing: Grant Dalton talks to Bloomberg TV
Grant Dalton, managing director of Emirates Team New Zealand, talked to Bloomberg television's Night Talk program on Monday night…

Warning: TV Sport overdose ahead!

What a day tomorrow;

• Formula 1 from China [ Wow, after Japan the weather makes for another amazing race. Bring on Brazil! ]
• WRC from Catalunya [ Don’t tell me, haven’t seen Day 2 yet! ] 09–10–07 Just watched the highlights – Vive la France again!
• V8’s from Bathurst  [ Wow, the weather makes for an amazing race! ]
• and some rugby team playing the French! [ Vive la France! ]

[Comments added 07–10–2007 23:28]

Rugby World Cup - New Zealand Vs Italy

I’m not a Rugby fan, I think there are two of us in New Zealand, but you can’t avoid knowing the whole thing kicks off for us tonight with:

 vs

Go Italy!

Did I blog that?

Tags: rugby

Bad Ad Physics? - Heineken World Rugby Cup 2007 Continental Shift

The Heineken World Rugby Cup 2007 Continental Shift advert shows Rugby teams pushing the continents together to form a mega-continent. Maybe I’m missing something:

• If you are standing on a continent, and push against part of it, it won’t move at all. Like standing on a bus, pushing against the seat doesn’t move the bus.
• If you’re standing on one side of a continental divide and push against the other continent, both will move apart, equally, in opposite directions. Stand on a boat, push against another boat, both boats move apart.

Bad Ad Physics or have I missed something really obvious? 

Tags: Heineken, World+Rugby+Cup

Emirates Team New Zealand vs Alinghi - Race 7 - America's Cup

Quote of the race:

Brad Butterworth: “When he tacks, you could aim for his stern and he won’t cross you”

Brad defines move that gave Team NZ a penalty and Alinghi just enough advantage to cross the line 1 second ahead of Emirates Team New Zealand and win race 7.

The Swiss win the 32nd America’s Cup 5 – 2.

UPDATE 04–07–2007: mis-quote corrected

Tags: Emirates+Team+New+Zealand, Alinghi, America's+Cup

Hoping for the perfect America's Cup result: 5 - 4

Just a few hours from possibly the last America’s Cup race for 2007 the news reports are using words like “battle” and “fight” as if they are reporting a war.

While the odds are against Emirates Team New Zealand winning the next three in a row there is a chance. I was thinking what would be the perfect result? 

I hope the nine race series goes to 5 – 4, then the best team wins the final race. It doesn’t matter so much which team that is. While rivalry is good I’ve never understood the need to hate the opposition as seems common in so many sports supporters. I can admire and support Emirates Team New Zealand without hating Alinghi or being devastated by them winning. It seems this isn't common as New Zealand usually descends into deep nationwide depression after a sporting loss.

So, whatever happens tonight, may the best team win. I think it’s remarkable given our tiny population and resources that it’s certain to be a Kiwi Skipper.

Tags: Emirates+Team+New+Zealand, Alinghi, America's+Cup

Emirates Team New Zealand vs Alinghi - Race 6 - America's Cup

Quote of the race:

Peter Montgomery: “It’s match point, Alinghi” 

Alinghi sail past Emirates Team New Zealand to win race 6. It’s 4 – 2 to the Swiss.

PS:  Not a good night for Kiwi sport: Wallabies stun All Blacks in Melbourne

Tags: Alinghi, Emirates+Team+New+Zealand

Emirates Team New Zealand vs Alinghi - Race 5 - America's Cup

Quote of the race:

Peter Montgomery: “We’ve never seen kites flying like that before” 

Team New Zealand hoist 3 Spinnakers/Gennakers while Alinghi sail past to win race 5. It’s 3 – 2 to the Swiss.

PS: Was the sail tear just bad luck or maybe the result of a really fast hoist. PM commented on the slowness of the Alinghi hoist on the first leg, they were similar on the second but didn’t have any of the problems Team New Zealand struck.

 

Tags: Alinghi, Emirates+Team+New+Zealand

Emirates Team New Zealand vs Alinghi - Race 4 - America's Cup

Quote of the race:*

Peter Montgomery: “It’s a maritime game of chess” 

Alinghi win race 4 so it’s 2 – 2, subject to protest!

* Ok, I’ll admit he says that every race, but had to use it!

Tags: Alinghi, Emirates+Team+New+Zealand

Emirates Team New Zealand vs Alinghi - Race 3 - America's Cup

Quote of the most amazing race:

Peter Montgomery: “Amazing, the pendulum is now swinging Team New Zealand's way” 

Russell Coutts: “The pendulum has swung Team New Zealand's way” 

Russell Coutts as Team NZ pass Alinghi on the final leg, going on to win race 3 and go 2 – 1 up!

PS: It’s been brilliant having Russell Coutts commentary, especially his tactical analysis. Credit to TVNZ!

Tags: Alinghi, Emirates+Team+New+Zealand

Emirates Team New Zealand vs Alinghi - Race 2 - America's Cup

Quote of the race:

“They’ll be kicking themselves for that mistake” 

Russell Coutts on Alinghi’s poor lee bow tack that lost them race 2

Tags: Alinghi, Emirates+Team+New+Zealand

Emirates Team New Zealand vs Alinghi - Race 1 - America's Cup

A few minutes to go, time to watch a boat race. Will Kiwi A beat Kiwi B?

UPDATE 24–06–2007 02:47:58

Quote of the race:

“Righty Oh, let’s go in for a beer” 

Brad Butterworth, Skipper Alinghi, just after crossing the line to win Race 1

Tags: Alinghi, Emirates+Team+New+Zealand

Congratulations to Emirates Team New Zealand!

Congratulations to Emirates Team New Zealand for winning the Louis Vuitton Cup!

5-0 was a brilliant result but in some ways it would have been good if it was closer. Still, we can sympathise with Luna Rossa as we know what it's like to lose like that. It's what Alinghi did to Team New Zealand at the last cup & we don't want to see a repeat of that!

They have a couple of weeks to “tune their weapon” then it’s all on. I can’t wait to see who’s ahead at that first cross as where Alinghi stand is now the real unknown.

Emirates Team New Zealand: http://www.emiratesteamnz.com/

Tags: Emirates+Team+New+Zealand, Luna+Rossa, Louis+Vuitton+Cup

"Emirates Team NZ thrash Luna Rossa"

Valencia Sailing pull no punches but… they did!

Valencia Sailing: Louis Vuitton Cup - Finals - Day 3: Emirates Team NZ thrash Luna Rossa
In this morning preview we asked who was to blame for Luna Rossa's weak performance in the first two races. The same question is now begging for an answer after their humiliating defeat by Emirates Team NZ, the third in a row…

Tags: Louis+Vuitton+Cup, Luna+Rossa

Luna Rossa eliminate BMW Oracle, shows what I know...

I’ll not bother predicting who will win the America’s Cup. Before the finals I thought it would be inevitable that a Kiwi would win the cup aboard Team NZ, Oracle or Alinghi…

Look what happened to Oracle, shows what I know! I really expected them to be in the position Luna Rossa now hold, giving away a couple of races at most. At least I wasn’t the only one surprised by that result. Its great Luna Rossa are there and they will be a tough opponent for whoever wins the other round.

Yesterday most predicted Team NZ would have that all wrapped up by now but it was great to see Desafío Español win today. I think it would be great for the cup, host city and the sport if that battle stretches to 9 – 8, with the final race to Team NZ of course

So where do Alinghi fit: it’s certain they’ll be good, but how good?

Valencia Sailing: Louis Vuitton Cup - Semi finals - Day 6: Fabulous Luna Rossa eliminate BMW Oracle and move to Louis Vuitton Cup finals
What a match!! BMW Oracle, the team that just two weeks ago was considered to be the favourite to win the Louis Vuitton Cup or even the America's Cup was forced to bow out of competition after being beaten 5-1 by Luna Rossa. For the fifth time in their six semi-final matches, James Spithill showed no mercy and drove the Italian boat to a comfortable victory.

Mascalzone Capitalia beat Emirates Team NZ

Finally the Louis Vuitton Cup gets underway and the poor TV One commentary team have something to do other than fill in hours of TV while nothing happens. Not a good result for ETNZ though. A tricky day, great sailing and better tactics meant a well earned win for Mascalzone Capitalia. Click through for race coverage.

Valencia Sailing: Louis Vuitton Cup - Round Robin 1 - Day 5: Mascalzone Capitalia beat Emirates Team NZ
It was a day for wind spotters and tacticians. Mascalzone Capitalia's Vasco Vascotto and Nach Postigo made the right call….

Mallards translucent turd by the harbour - Stadium New Zealand

All the flashy Weta effects can’t hide the bulk of Mallards Stadium New Zealand. Sitting on the waterfront like a giant turd that’s washed up in a spring tide, making it translucent doesn’t hide the size. Interesting it’s only shown at dusk and never from Quay Street which is how it will be seen by most and where the impact of it’s bulk will be the worst.

Tags: Stadium+New+Zealand

Team New Zealand: NZL-92 launched in Auckland

The boat that will bring back the cup!

Valencia Sailing: NZL-92 launched in Auckland
Emirates Team New Zealand has launched its second 2007 race yacht…

Emirates Team New Zealand News
“We have until April 16 next year to pull together all the strands that will make it possible to win the America’s Cup. According to the Omega countdown clock that is 178 days from now.”

Tags: Emirates+Team+New+Zealand

Dumb place for a stadium we probably don't need

The whole idea of a stadium is you sit looking in at the arena so why put one on prime land right on the Auckland waterfront?

I’ve seen no reports the current stadiums are overloaded, or even breaking even without subsidy from tax/rate-payers, so why do we even need it other than for the one-off Rugby World Cup?

Support growing for new stadium - 14 Sep 2006 - Building & construction.

There is strong public backing to build a stadium on the Auckland waterfront for the 2011 Rugby World Cup but serious practical and economic hurdles are likely to keep the centrepiece of the tournament at Eden Park…

A1 Grand Prix Coming to Taupo

It seems the A1 Grand Prix may be coming to Taupo Racetrack next January. This is great news and, if it comes off, a real boost for New Zealand Motorsport. I’ll be there if at all possible!

A1GP Taupo, New Zealand - A1 Grand Prix ™

A1 will be the largest international racing series to hit Taupo when the circus rolls into town in 2007. The new 3.5 km circuit, together with the brand new facilities and pit complex will be the perfect place for A1’s first race in New Zealand.

Aussie World Cup success continues

It appears I’m not the only one who thought it was a bizarre game. Congratulations to the Aussies for getting to the second round of the World Cup!

Australia go through – BBC

Sitting on top of the world – Melbourne Herald Sun

Tiger Woods, the Kiwi Stockcar Driver

Yes, it’s that Tiger Woods.

Tiger Woods set to roll around in the dirt with Kiwis - Autoblog

Top Gear do a "Winter Olympics Special"

The Top Gear team take on the Winter Olympic events, in their own special way. Ski jumping in a rocket assisted Mini, “skating” in a Jaguar XK…

I hope this special screens in New Zealand… 

Top Gear "Winter Olympics Special" Gallery ~ www.topgear.com.

Alfa Romeo NZL-80 on Auckland Anniversary Day & more of "Le Grand Blue"

Thanks to Zelda for sending a cool photo of the super-maxi Alfa Romeo NZL-80 sailing in the Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta (30 January, 2006).

 

She also sent a great shot of the of the mega-yacht Le Grand Bleu which I only managed to photograph from the wharf. After seeing my other shots I went back to take this photo but Le Grand Blue had sailed!  You can just see the 20m/67ft power-boat on the deck which sits beside the 21m/70ft sailboat seen in my photos! The vessel alongside Le Grand Blue is the bunkering tanker Tolema 1.

Auckland Match Racing Cup

Dean Barker (Team NZ Skipper) won the Auckland Match Racing Cup against a world class fleet.

It took place on the harbour across from where I work. The lunchtime view from the café was just a bunch of boats sailing up & down as we aren’t close enough to see the names/numbers & follow the racing. 

My request for next year is: Colour coded mainsails for each skipper please!

Valencia Sailing: Dean Barker wins Auckland Match Racing Cup.

Back to Sky

• When Sky TV (Digital pay TV) had the New Zealand rights to Formula One I had Sky TV.
• When Sky TV dropped Formula One I dropped Sky TV.
• Sky TV have the New Zealand rights to Formula One again…
  • And WRC Rally….
• And I’ve just signed up again….

Alfa Romeo - The Yacht - in Auckland

Looped thru the Viaduct on a cycle ride & found the supermaxi NZL80 Alfa Romeo (Sydney Hobart runner up) is in town. She is an impressive sight, even when not sailing.

 

 

Wild Oats sets new standards in Sydney Hobart

Wild Oats beat Alfa Romeo setting a new record for the Sydney Hobart of 1 day, 18 hours and 10 minutes.

Alfa Romeo race report - Alfa Romeo Maxi Yacht.

Alfa Romeo, the yacht, to take on Europe

It starts as a favourite in today’s Sydney Hobart but the new racing supermaxi, NZL 80 Alfa Romeo, will also be seen in competing in European events in 2006 thanks to sponsorship from Alfa Romeo (Fiat Auto).

Alfa Romeo to sponsor Neville Crichton's supermaxi yacht - italiaspeed.com.

Watch the Sydney Hobart super maxi showdown live with Google Earth – www.gizmag.com.au.

Alfa Romeo Yacht Racing Team
'Alfa Romeo' is the second yacht built by New Zealand skipper and owner, Neville Crichton (Alfa importer in Australia/New Zealand), to carry the name of the Italian car maker. It was penned by leading American yacht designers, Reichel/Pugh and built in Sydney by McConaghy Boats.

Website: www.alfaromeo.com.au
RSS News Feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/AlfaRomeoMaxiNews

Alfa Romeo Technical Description
Club: Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron
Sail Number: NZL 80
Designers: Reichel/Pugh - USA
Builders: McConaghy Boats, Sydney, Australia
Construction: Hull - Carbon Fibre Composite, Keel - Steel, Rudder and Mast - Carbon Fibre, Sails - 3DL Carbon/Mylar
Mast: Southern Spars, Auckland, New Zealand
Sails: North Sails, Sydney, Australia
LOA: 30.0 metres ('Alfa Romeo' 1: 27.5 metres)
Beam: 5.2 metres ('Alfa Romeo' 1: 5.6 metres)
Draft: 5.1 metres ('Alfa Romeo' 1: 4.0 metres)
Mast Height 44 metres ('Alfa Romeo' 1: 36.5 metres)

Rugby World Cup bonanza...

NZ celebrates the Rugby World Cup win and the economic spinoff it will provide. If it fast tracks fixing Auckland's road system that alone would be benefit enough.Congratulations to all those involved in the bid and the rugby fans eagerly waiting for their sports biggest event. Also good to see government support especially as it will bring great publicity and economic benefits.

"This is hugely positive for not only kiwi rugby, but also because the tournament will deliver significant economic benefits and tourism spin-offs. It's estimated it will attract around 60,000 visitors to New Zealand, generate an extra $408 million to the economy, plus an extra tax take exceeding $90 million," [Trevor] Mallard said.
xtramsn.co.nz/rugby

Between now & 2011 when the RWC comes to town the New Zealand World Rally Championship round will bring more than $300 million (when you factor in CPI) into the NZ economy.…

Previous studies have indicated an injection of $50 million into the New Zealand economy each year. Rally New Zealand attracts a total of 60 international entries, bringing a total of 1,500 support crew, 400 media and an influx of international visitors.
http://www.rallynz.org.nz

How much central government support do they get?

A1 Grand Prix - New Zealand

I haven’t posted much about it but it’s great to see Matt Halliday will be representing New Zealand in the inaugural A1 Grand Prix race this weekend. NZ should honour Colin Giltrap for making this happen.

Pity it sort of clashes with Formula One. They are not on at the same time but if I stay up watching A1 till about 03:00(?) and then get up at 04:45 for the F1, Monday will be a very long workday!

A1 Grand Prix

A1 Team New Zealand

TV3 Sport: A1GP  ~ 11:55 PM Sunday 25 Sep 2005
'A1GP Motorsport: Race 1 Live'. Clint Brown presents live coverage of the first-ever A1GP event held at Brands Hatch , Great Britain. The sprint race is scheduled for a midnight start followed by the main race at 2am.

Awesome Photo from Louis Vuitton Act 6

Alinghi and Oracle framed by the Oresund Bridge

Spectacular view of Alinghi and BMW Oracle - Valencia Sailing

Spectacular view of Alinghi and BMW Oracle racing in the third day of Louis Vuitton Act 6

Valencia Sailing blogs the America's Cup

Thanks to Aaron for the pointer to this blog about sailing in Valencia and the next America’s Cup.

Valencia Sailing

via bhatnagar.blogspot.com

Maximus wins on handicap

Maximus missed line honours in the Rolex Transatlantic Challenge race finishing only 5 hours 16 minutes and 31 seconds behind Mari-Cha IV but got a handicap win in the Grand-Prix division.

Transatlantic Update ~ www.ybw.com

Maximus Leads Transatlantic Challenge

The New Zealand super-maxi yacht Maximus took the lead in the Rolex Transatlantic Challenge when the schooner Mari-Cha IV had to stop for 12 hours to repair damage...
[Full story at www.sfgate.com]

Disney to sponsor Volvo round-the-world race entry

Is Mickey joining the crew in the next Volvo round the world race?

Not quite, but Disney are getting involved:

The Black Pearl, Aye, aye Johnny Depp ~ www.ybw.com

 

China Set To Sail For America's Cup

New Zealand will have some more competition in the next Americas Cup!

China Set To Sail For Americas Cup

Message to Ellen from Francis Joyon

I thought this was a wonderful gesture from Francis Joyon.

Link to full message on Team Ellen Website

…I was hoping to keep the record for a bit longer, but it was not something that I put on a pedestal either. During the press conference following my arrival, I pointed out that in my opinion it was possible to improve on my time, taking into account my damage and the times when I was becalmed. However, I did not think it would be Ellen beating me so soon, and so magnificently. Once again, well done to her!

Francis Joyon
Previous solo round the world record holder

Ellen does it - A new solo, non-stop round the world sailing record

 Just watched her arrival at Falmouth live on BBC World, a stunning achievement.

B&Q skipper, Ellen MacArthur, crossed the finish line off Ushant at 22:29:17 GMT tonight (Monday, 7.2.05) to set a new solo, non-stop round the world record of 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes and 33 seconds. MacArthur has taken 1 day, 8 hours, 35 minutes, 49 seconds off the previous fastest solo time.

B&Q sailed 27,354 miles through the water at an average speed of 15.9 knots.

Details at: http://www.teamellen.com

Prime TV New Zealand to screen Ellen MacArthur "In The Eye of the Storm"

Prime TV New Zealand to screen Ellen MacArthur: In The Eye of the Storm.

Prime TV

SPECIAL: Ellen MacArthur: In The Eye of the Storm
7:30pm, Sunday 30 January 2005

In a BBC premiere special on Prime, it’s the extraordinary journey of a gutsy 25-year old who sailed into the history books to become the youngest and fastest yachtswoman to cruise around the world single-handed.
Ellen MacArthur thrives on extremes. After her record-breaking, life-threatening performance in the Vendee Globe round-the-world race, many people thought she might relax into cosy celebrity. Her response was to announce an attempt on the Jules Verne Challenge, the record for non-stop sailing around the world. The current record is 64 days. Ellen hoped to do it in 60.
This one-hour special on Prime follows Ellen’s challenge from start to finish: the intensive crew-selection process, the preparation of the massive boat, the ups and downs of life on board and the ultimate triumph or failure.

After 22,555 miles its only just begun

After sailing B&Q 22,555 miles, at an average speed of 16.5 knots, its only just begun. With lead of 0 hours Ellen MacArthur faces a race to home as flaky weather has eroded the 4 day advantage held as she rounded Cape Horn.

Follow this amazing feat of endurance & courage at: http://www.teamellen.com for the latest data updated hourly.

Epic Story: Ellen McArther races ahead

The mammoth efforts of Ellen McArther are worth following even if you are not interested in sailing . She is sailing B&Q, a 23m (75ft) Trimaran, solo around the world in an attempt to beat the current record set by French sailor, Francis Joyon, on board 90-foot multihull IDEC in February 2004.

As I write she is 4 days 2 hours 45 minutes ahead of the current record after sailing 19,187 miles
at 17.6 Knot (32.59km/h or 20.25mph) Average speed with 6,985 miles to the finish.

Link: Follow progress at the Team Ellen Web site

What Happened to Konica/Minolta

Konica Minolta (formerly Zana) retired from the Sydney Hobart. This is the best account I've found of what happened,

Around the World of Sailing - December 28, 2004

Coming the last two hundred miles by bus wasn’t the way we planned it.” These were the wry thoughts of Stewart Thwaites, the owner/skipper of the New Zealand supermaxi Konica Minolta....

Link: What Happened to Konica/Minolta - Around The World Of Sailing.

Ellen Macarthur averages 16.8 knots for 10,000 miles!

B&Q has sailed a staggering 10,084 miles through the water at 0710 GMT this morning at the end of day 24 [Ellen has kept ahead of Joyon's record since Day 7] of her solo record attempt, at an average speed of 16.8 knots. This is actual miles sailed as opposed to VMG...

Check http://www.teamellen.com for the latest data updated hourly

Big Wave Surfing

This is worth a look for the pictures alone. 12 metre (40ft) waves!

Link: Surf.Co News Bruce Irons wins the Quiksilver Eddie Aikau Invitational.