Pre-reading questions:
- Which water sport are you good at? Please explain your answer.
- If you will compete in a water race, what would it be? Please explain your answer.
The Team New Zealand’s sailors are hoping to avenge the 9-8 defeat by Oracle Team USA in San Francisco last 2013. They have replaced the traditional arm-powered winches with cycle-style grinders for the 35th America’s Cup event in Bermuda. Team New Zealand has invited Olympic bronze medal-winning cyclist Simon van Velthooven to lead the new revolution.
Winning the next America’s Cup is all about keeping a stable sail on the entire race, and that’s the reason why this boat contains some of the most updated and powerful technology ever used in this competition. Two-time America’s Cup champion Spithill said they may be difficult to get on and off quickly during maneuvers. “We looked at it hard as I know all the teams did and it’s a compromise,” he added. However, the former America’s Cup designer Mike Drummond said such leg power could provide 10-15% extra for longer periods.
Vocabulary:
avenge – to take revenge
winch – a machine that has a rope or chain and is used for pulling or lifting heavy things
grinder – a machine that can crush or break into small pieces
cyclist – a person who rides a bicycle
maneuvers – to direct the course and determine the direction of travelling
revolution – change
Comprehension Questions:
- What was Team New Zealand’s main reason for the unusual changes?
- Who defeated the Team New Zealand in San Francisco last 2013?
- What kind of event are they competing for?
- Who will preside the new revolution?
- What did the two-time America’s Cup champion Spithill say about the changes?
Express Your Opinion:
- What do you think are the advantages of sea cycling in water sports? Please explain your answer.
- What do you think are the disadvantages of sea cycling in water sports? Please explain your answer.
- How hard do you think sea cycling is? Please explain your answer.
- Would you agree that sea cycling is an easy sport? Please explain your answer.
- Would you dare try sea cycling? Why or why not?