Sports fans....

[wayno]

shows not over till the fat mermaid gargles...

[Pteropus]

I remember how when I was a little kid, mum and dad woke me and made me watch Australia II win the cup in '83. I haven't really followed the cup, but from a brief look at the results it looks like there have been some close races there. The new breed of hydrofoiling cats look super exciting to race, though i'm a traditionalist and much prefer the monohulls.

[wayno]

take a good look. it might be the last time you see those cats in action, they were expecting 20 teams only 4 could afford the boats and the campaigns... team nz have said this would be their last americas cup campaign if these boats remain.... they'll need to scale the size down for affordability...

[Pteropus]

They also look like a handful to sail, especially in choppy conditions. I saw that there was a fatal accident when the Swedish boat flipped earlier in the year, trapping one of the crew under the water.

[wayno]

team nz nearly capsised there, a hydraulic failure affected their foil, aother incident they submarined at high speed, knocked over most of the crew and lost two overoard

[doogs]

Sorry Wayno, I couldn't help myself!! http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff-nation/*&%$#! ... NZ-choking

[Giddy_up]

That Americas cup loss must go down as one of the most epic chokes in the annuls of sport. I just hope its contagious and spreads like wildfire to their Rugby, Netball and Rowing teams;)

[wayno]

Sorry Wayno, I couldn't help myself!! http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff-nation/*&%$#! ... NZ-choking

yeah i'd have to agree, well done oracle and beaten by an aussie skipper, which is a LOT more bearable than a yank one beating us.
I dont think there were many yanks in the crew.
we ran out of improvement and ideas and oracle took the risks and changed whatever they needed to to impove and never gave up when they'd all but lost...
team nz just stalled....

[stepbystep]

OK now that funny sailing thing is over....

GO FREO!!!

[MickyB]

Have heard Freo supporters can't get flights over to Melbourne but got a coach at short notice. Saints supporters will know what I mean.

Go Hawks

[GPSGuided]

How did NZ lose?!? I feel their pain. Yeah, don't like cats, lost that traditional feel.

[wayno]

at least partly to do with ellisons bottomless pockets and nz spending running short of money when the boats are still developing right through racing

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/ar ... d=11130376

[Nuts]

Epic Choke!! Haha.
Bring on the birds! Go Hawks! C'mon Roosters!

[doogs]

I heard it was cheaper for Freo fans to get to Melbs via Bali!

[puredingo]

What's the story in one day cricket these days when 350 odd runs isn't safe? Either the bowlers aren't what they used to be or the batters are spending a whole lot more time in the nets.

[wayno]

or the umpires used to make a lot more dodgy calls...

[north-north-west]

What's the story in one day cricket these days when 350 odd runs isn't safe? Either the bowlers aren't what they used to be or the batters are spending a whole lot more time in the nets.

Or every single rule or technological change favours the batsmen - shorter boundaries, better bats, more fielding restrictions . . .

[wayno]

well nz won't be at the world football cup. 5-1 against mexico made sure of that... playing defensively made little difference..

[puredingo]

Half the Aussie Rugby union side busted out on the grog before their biggest game of the year....Here we go again with latest buzz word "culture" being used to explain away everything.

[wayno]

i'm sure it was just a wee tipple to settle the nerves.....

[Giddy_up]

What is going on with Australian cricket at the moment. Batsmen have not shown any spine or mettle. Disgraceful.

[ULWalkingPhil]

Bit of a comeback now, but thats probably due to the wicket drying out, which makes for a good batting pitch, England will probably pile on the runs when they come in to bat.

[puredingo]

If that's the case Phil why did we bat first...we won the toss didn't we?

[Giddy_up]

We just don't have what it takes at the moment, weak mentally I think. They can score 300 runs in 50 overs but tell them to do it in 90 and they go to water.

[ULWalkingPhil]

If that's the case Phil why did we bat first...we won the toss didn't we?

I have no idea, I guess it's the normal practice to bat first if you win the toss. The captain did say at the toss, he was a bit concerned about moisture in the pitch on day one.

[north-north-west]

Well, on the evidence of the first two days, we may have forgotten how to bat but we can still bowl (sometimes).

[north-north-west]

And on the current scores, I'm wondering why we bothered batting again, other than to give the punters a show.

[Giddy_up]

Was there today and the poms were in full voice even in defeat. They did look very dejected after the match, might be a long summer for them........great to kick their butts today.

On a different note, QLD is still having some wild weather as well, hail on the Gabba today and very sharp rain events.