America’s Cup Yachts Return to Auckland for 2010

September 9th, 2009 by Brad Heap

P1090313

Great news announced this morning. The Louis Vuitton series is coming back to Auckland in Feb and March 2010. But bigger than better than ever. Last year it was a one off Pacific series, now it is a 4 leg World series where Auckland will be the second leg.

The rules are essentially the same as this year 10 teams, identical boats.

Last year the people of Auckland really got behind the racing, I certainly enjoyed it. I hope for more of the same this year.

P1090194

Rubbing is Racing or is this just silly driving?

June 1st, 2009 by Brad Heap

I would call that just being a little bit too aggressive.

And how about this one:

Alinghi doesn’t know the meaning of fair play.

February 7th, 2009 by Brad Heap

Okay it is obvious that Alinghi has no interest in the rules of fair play or even putting on a show for the spectators.

The next America’s Cup Regatta currently held up in court rooms because of Alinghi’s desire to be able to change the rules and remove any competitor whenever they desire.

And yesterday they flew a Maori sovereignty flag off the back of their boat in an aparent attempt to stir up some emotions and controversy.

But todays debarcle takes the cake.

Refusing to race Team NZ.

On the news tonight Dean Barker could only repeat two words: “Pissed Off” over the incident.

Alinghi are claiming that racing would be of no benefit to them. Well even if you are leading the regatta it is still decent to race. Especially when it is a hyped rematch of the final of the last America’s Cup.

It seems Alinghi are running scared when they cannot control the rules for the regatta.

Louis Vuitton Pacific Series

February 1st, 2009 by Brad Heap

Okay the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series started in Auckland on Friday.

I watched the first day of racing streaming on the Internet and yesterday I headed up North Head to watch it live. You can check out the live photos on facebook http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=88301&id=656762268&ref=mf

But below are some screenshots from the online footage, Virtual Eye has really come a long way over the years and it is very impressive this year.

The Parachute Diaries: Saturday Afternoon: It just isn’t cricket

January 27th, 2009 by Brad Heap

My first band for the day was Edwin Derricutt on the Deluxe Stage at 1.10pm, Edwin is a great artist and it was a very entertaining set including audience participation and special guest artists helping out on songs. It was a great way to chill out and really begin the day.

Edwin Derricutt

Edwin Derricutt

p1080743

p1080740

p1080750

At 2.20 was the great Kiwiana Party aka The Great Indoor Cricket Battle: The Americans (Family Force Five and Kutless) vs The Punters (randomly picked campers).  It was a bad but funny idea to send The Americans into bat first. No one explained to them that cricket is not baseball. Firstly you hold the bat differently, and secondly you don’t drop it after hitting the ball. The cricket match was a great way to get out of the sun though.

About half the crowd that had packed into the Palladium to see the cricket

About half the crowd that had packed into the Palladium to see the cricket

That is not a baseball bat, and that is not how you hold a cricket bat!

That is not a baseball bat, and that is not how you hold a cricket bat!

About three quarters through the cricket I left to see Season Pass play. They were awesome! For a band that has not played together for more than a year and only had a few practices. Also partly because I know almost everyone in the band so it was a more personal performance than most other bands.

Luke Oram and Evan Cooper

Luke Oram and Evan Cooper

Evan Cooper, with Steven from Mumsdollar playing Bass in the background

Evan Cooper, with Steven from Mumsdollar playing Bass in the background

p1080764

p1080768

The entire Season Pass band with Gareth Hodges on keys and a guy from The Ember Days on drums

The entire Season Pass band with Gareth Hodges on keys and a guy from The Ember Days on drums

122 Not Out on Debut

January 10th, 2009 by Brad Heap

Big Props to Martin Guptill who has just scored 122 Not Out off 50 overs for NZ against the West Indies at Eden Park.

Second highest score on debut ever, high score not out on debut, highest NZ score on debut.

NZ 275/4. West Indies will start batting in about 30 minutes.

Massive NZ V8 Crash

November 9th, 2008 by Brad Heap

Second Massive Bathurst Crash.

October 11th, 2008 by Brad Heap

How unlucky is this. Tyre Bundles all around but the car goes straight into a concrete wall. Ouch

Massive Bathurst Accident

October 10th, 2008 by Brad Heap

New Zealand’s “uplifting” attitude at its best

August 10th, 2008 by Brad Heap

http://tvnz.co.nz/content/1580637

The link above is to the TVNZ Olympics Message Board.

But unless you want to be disgusted at the attitude of the majority of posters I wouldn’t recommend clicking on the link.

TVNZ is doing an amazing job covering the Olympics. They have four channels of coverage (TV One, Freeview Ch20 and two online channels).

But despite all this people are still complaining. I personally enjoyed the NZ vs Brazil soccer game which was aired on TV One (the main NZ channel).

New Zealanders need to get a grip and be thankful for how much coverage they are getting for free.

TVNZ surely paid top dollar to get the coverage, Sky TV would have been surely trying hard to out bid them.

Imagine the Olympics on Sky. a) Not everyone could get it – Sky costs, TVNZ is free. b) Unless you paid more it would not be in High Def. c) You would not have four channels of coverage – three channels at the absolute max. d) You would still have ads – like the live Formula 1. e) People would still complain.

Olympics Media Centre Blog

August 10th, 2008 by Brad Heap

http://blogs.nzherald.co.nz/blog/lewis-games/2008/8/10/communication-breakdown/?c_id=502

All I can do is laugh… I am glad I’m not the only one who gets into these sort of stupid situations.

The Difference is Clear – Olympics Hi Def vs Std Def

August 10th, 2008 by Brad Heap

The following two images have are screen shots from Mediaportal.

The first image is Freeview DVB-T TVNZ Sports Extra which is broadcast in standard def.

The second image is Freeview DVB-T Tv One which is broadcast in HD Ready def.

The difference in the colours and the depth/quality of the picture is quite amazing.

No need for all the marketing hype this is the real user test showing the very clear difference.

Close Up/Side by Side view of score display in standard def and high def.

Oh, So Close

July 4th, 2007 by Brad Heap

I have to wonder what would of happened if they had done the turn further away from the line.