Monday Night Movie Review: The Wind Gods

The Wind Gods
Documentary | 2013 (USA)
Director: Fritz Mitchell
Stars: Jeremy Irons, Larry Ellison, Russell Coutts

The Wind Gods is a feature-length documentary film following Larry Ellison’s 10-year quest to bring the oldest trophy in international sport, The America’s Cup, back to the United States.

Awe-inspiring boats that reflect the unlimited reach of human ingenuity, breathtaking views, action, tension, excitement, consummate skill, the pursuit of lifelong dreams and the tempestuous romance between sailors and the sea, set against a soaring musical score: this is The Wind God’s, the story of the 33rd America’s Cup race.

In a quest to bring the oldest trophy in International Sports back to America, Oracle Corporation’s Larry Ellison organizes an elite team to sail USA-17, the most technologically advanced sailboat ever built, in a challenge against the defending Swiss team Alinghi, which has held the cup for seven years.

The film documents the effort from start to finish, with intimate portraits of the competitors, fascinating insights into the cup’s history, and sweeping cinematography of the race. But more than that, The Wind Gods is a tribute to the adventurous spirit that leads men to test their limits, by challenging the elements, the sea, and fate.

USA-17 BMW Oracle Racing 90 Foot Trimaran

USA-17, formerly known as BMW Oracle Racing 90 or BOR90, is a sloop-rigged racing trimaran built by the American sailing team BMW Oracle Racing to challenge for the 2010 America’s Cup.

Designed by VPLP Yacht Design with consultation from Franck Cammas and his Groupama multi-hull sailing team, BOR90 is very light for her size being constructed almost entirely out of carbon fiber and epoxy resin and exhibits very high performance being able to sail at 2.0 to 2.5 times the true wind speed.

2010 America's Cup race
2010 America’s Cup race

From the actual performance of the boat during the 2010 America’s Cup races, it can be seen that she could achieve a velocity made good upwind of over twice the wind speed and downwind of over 2.5 times the wind speed.

The boat sails so fast downwind that the apparent wind she generates is only 5-6 degrees different from that when she is racing upwind; that is, the boat is always sailing upwind with respect to the apparent wind.[8] An explanation of this phenomenon can be found in the article on sailing faster than the wind.

Ships Captain The Dread Pirate Dave

David is the Editor in Chief of Postcards From the Edge. I was born on a cold November morning on the showy plains of Colorado. Like my father, before me, I am an American Nomad.

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