Oracle Sails High
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The Mariners Museum in Newport News has landed the Oracle, winner of the 2017 America’s Cup off Bermuda. The behemoth sailboat is suspended from the ceiling of a specially made wing of the museum. It harkens back to the Spirit of St. Louis suspended from the ceiling of the old Smithsonian.
Oracle’s light weight and amazing airfoils enabled it to surpass 50 mph as it came from behind 8-1 to beat New Zealand 9-1 for the Cup. The identical boats weigh perhaps 1 one-thousandth of the 20th century Navy ships and cruise liners portrayed elsewhere in the museum.
To get to the exhibit, one has to navigate through the Monitor Center, the elaborate display of the Monitor vs. Merrimac battle in Hampton Roads during the Civil War. One also has to pass through a detailed exhibit on the US Navy. It includes an aerial photo of the USS Enterprise, the first nuclear aircraft carrier. The photo shows sailors lined up to depict Einstein’s equation.
Admission to the museum has been reduced to $1 to build audience, which has since doubled.
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Summary
Article Name
Oracle Sails High
Description
Winner of America's Cup sails high at Mariners Museum in Newport News.
Author
Capt. Bill O'Donovan
Publisher Name
Williamsburg Charter Sails
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