Francesca Rudkin: The America’s Cup needs characters like Spithill.

So the America’s Cup finals are almost here. At last!  

Ineos Britannia booked the finals spot against Team New Zealand after beating Luna Rossa Prada in the Louis Vuitton Cup final 7-4. The British will be thrilled to have made it after a close and exciting series, with Luna Rosa looking so good in the early round robins and pushing the competition to its limits.  

That the series was so hard-fought was important, because it’s a competition that only thrives if the races are close and the pressure is intense. 

So it feels a real shame that at the end of the Louis Vuitton Cup Jimmy Spithill announced, “I really think I’m at the end of the line now. I think this will be it for me. It’s probably time the gloves are hung up”  

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Sunday Session podcast with Francesca Rudkin
from News Talks EDB.

Speaker 2 (00:12):
Into the world of plant based eating, surviving the backlash
and her return to a more balanced diet that Chelsea
Winters will meet with us after eleven and as always,
you're most welcome to text me anytime throughout the morning.
Ninety two ninety.

Speaker 1 (00:26):
Two, there's no better way to start your Sunday. It's
the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin and Wiggles for the
best selection of Greg Reeds News Talks EDB.

Speaker 2 (00:38):
So the America's Cup Finals are almost here at last
any US. Britannia of course booked the final spot against
Team New Zealand after beating Luna Rossapridor and the Louis
Vuton Cup Final they won seven to four. The British
will be thrilled to have made it after a close
and exciting series with Luna Rossa looking so good in
the early round robins and pushing the competition to its limits.

(01:02):
That the series was so hard fought was important because
there's a competition that only thrives if the races are
close and the pressure is intense, so it feels a
real shame that at the end of the Louis Vuton Cup,
Jimmy Spittle announced, I really think about the end of
the line now, I think this will be it for me.
It's probably time the gloves are hung up. Spittell can

(01:26):
retire whenever he likes, obviously, but it's a big loss.
I was surprised at how sad I felt about it.
The America's Cup needs characters like Jimmy. He's the sailing
legend we love to hate. He was, of course, part
of the Cup's greatest ever comeback story in twenty thirteen,
when he mastermind Oracle Team USA's remarkable comeback against Emirates

(01:50):
Team New Zealand. Down eight one, Spittle led Oracle to
eight consecutive wins. I know we're alreadliving it right now
as I say this. An't we securing the title in
a dramatic, unbelievable fashion. Man, he was cocky, but you
had to admire his self belief, competitiveness and fearless tactics.

(02:11):
Like many kiwis My twenty thirteen rage it, his spittle
has over the years turn to respect. I'm always interested
to hear what he has to say. About the Cup,
the boats, the regatta, as he's wonderfully upfront and candid.
So the Cup has this week lost an impressive team
and an impressive player. Spittle's departure feels like the end
of an eraror. He suggested the physical and emotional toll

(02:33):
was behind the setback, But how soon will it be
before he ends up behind the scenes on one of
the teams. How good would he be as a race commentator? Oh,
next weekend we actually we get to the actual Cup
after a long winded regatta, which has peaked to my
interest some weeks, while other weeks it's just completely passed
me by. But regardless of what I think about the Cup,

(02:56):
where it's held, how it's run, I will be truly
invested in Team New Zealand when the Cup kicks off
next Sunday, New Zealand time. There is little in sport
more exciting than watching the stuff out of these races.
And while a result of races is sometimes decided by
who wins the start, we've seen enough to know that
anything can happen out on the course. It's been four

(03:16):
years of hard work for Team New Zealand. Let's hope
it's all been worth it.

Speaker 1 (03:21):
Bring it on for the Sunday session.

Speaker 2 (03:25):
So you're all engaged yet with the America's Cup, with
you bit like me? You sider only really getting on
board now that we're at the business end. A lot
of keywis have told me they're not interested, but I reckon,
come this Sunday, We're all going to get on board.
I'd love to hear from you can text ninety two
ninety two up. Next we head to Dunedin for an

(03:46):
update post rain and find out just how good the
Whitecatto woman's rugby team and now the Fara Palmer Cup Champs.
A feeling today that's coming up shortly. It is eleven
past nine year with the Sunday Session.

Speaker 1 (03:58):
For more from the Sunday Session with Francesca Rudkin, listen
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