Rob Waddell and Emirates Team New Zealand Dominating the 34th America's Cup

Olympic rowing gold medalist Rob Waddell, who earned his title in the men's single in Sydney, and the Kiwi crew that makes up Emirates Team New Zealand have been dominating the 34th America's Cup on San Francisco Bay (home to the RowingRelated International Headquarters), ever since the finals began last weekend. The racing is head-to-head and the championship is riding on a best-of-17 series—after the first seven races, Waddell & co. have won six times, having been edged by a narrow margin just once to date. Needless to say, it's looking more and more like a romp for the Kiwis, and the championship would add to an already borderline unbelievable career of success on the water for Waddell—the victory would make him the only athlete, we believe, to have won Olympic gold in rowing as well as an America's Cup title.

The above video shows the complete coverage of races six and seven, which took place yesterday afternoon in San Francisco. The competition hasn't been bereft of tense moments, however, including a qualifying race that saw Waddell and a teammate washed overboard as his crew came around a buoy at great speed (these 'airplanes on the water' are capable of speeds in the range 50mph):



Fortunately, no one was injured, and the support launches arrived in seconds. More racing to come this weekend, and you can keep up with all the action via the official website of the America's Cup.

On tap for next week is our 3rd annual RoRy Awards celebration—three days of prize-giving for the best performances during the 2012-2013 season at the junior, collegiate, and elite levels. The categories for each level are as follows:

1. Program(s) of the Year
(Includes an award for Team Efficiency at the elite level)
2. Coaches of the Year
3. Race of the Year
4. Breakthrough Performance of the Year
5. Athletes of the Year

Who will walk away with the most prestigious awards in rowing? The 2013 RoRys are just days away.

-RR