Saturday, 18. May 2013
After the fatal accident of 'Artemis', the 'Sailing Team Germany/NRV' organisation decided to withdraw their team qualified for the Youth America's Cup with the development athletes Philipp Buhl GER and Erik Heil GER for safety reasons. The young sailors insist on a participation, as they are convinced to master the challenges of the proven AC-45 multihulls. On their own, they plan to stay in the competition .... and are now looking for financial support for their trip to San Francisco in the early autumn 2013. The report.
Saturday, 11. May 2013
Tributes from around the world are pouring in for British Olympic hero and double Olympic medalist Andrew 'Bart' Simpson, who was tragically killed when Artemis Racing team's AC72 capsized on San Francisco Bay on Thursday afternoon. The America's-Cup-Website. Around the globe, minutes of silence were held in memoriam of the very popular and successful Starboat sailor, such as at Olympic Garda in Italy or the Star-Trophy on Lake Uri Switzerland.
The reason for the accident is still under investigation. Fact is, that 'Team Oracle' stopped their training prematurely because of the freshening breeze. The 'Artemis AC72' capsized in a bear-away-manoeuvre but is is not yet clear, whether a damage at the AC72 caused the turn-over or the turn-over damaged the multihull. The 'Artemis' AC72 had previously shown some performance and structural problems and was during quite some time ashore for a modification process before being launched again a few days ago. AC management and the Californinan Authorities have started their investigations. The report.
The Olympic success of the duo Ian Percy/Andrew Simpson GBR has also been the history of a long-lasting close friedship since the early Optimist days. On the occasion of the English Championship of the Starboats in January, one of the last video interviews including Andrew Simpson GBR was recorded.
The reason for the accident is still under investigation. Fact is, that 'Team Oracle' stopped their training prematurely because of the freshening breeze. The 'Artemis AC72' capsized in a bear-away-manoeuvre but is is not yet clear, whether a damage at the AC72 caused the turn-over or the turn-over damaged the multihull. The 'Artemis' AC72 had previously shown some performance and structural problems and was during quite some time ashore for a modification process before being launched again a few days ago. AC management and the Californinan Authorities have started their investigations. The report.
The Olympic success of the duo Ian Percy/Andrew Simpson GBR has also been the history of a long-lasting close friedship since the early Optimist days. On the occasion of the English Championship of the Starboats in January, one of the last video interviews including Andrew Simpson GBR was recorded.
Friday, 10. May 2013
Artemis Racing crewman Andrew "Bart" Simpson, a British double Olympic medalist, died yesterday when the team's AC72 catamaran capsized while training on San Francisco Bay. Simpson was one of the 11-man crew aboard. All other crewmembers were successfully rescued. Simpson GBR who joined the team a few month ago, was trapped underneath the boat and despite attempts to revive him, by doctors afloat and subsequently ashore, his life was lost. Officials believe he was trapped underwater for about 10 to 15 minutes. Sadly this is the first confirmation of the concerns that the AC72 racing machines are admittedly very spectacular, but at the same time also extremely hazardous. Helmsman of 'Artemis' is either Loďck Peyron FRA or Nathan Outteridge AUS. The report on the America's Cup Website and a video.
Tuesday, 23. April 2013
Americans Oracle launch their second AC72 on Wednesday and Artemis will follow soon after. Both have had problems - Oracle destroyed their first cat in a spectacular capsize last October while Artemis have been dogged by damage and design problems, most notably a lack of ability to foil which now seems an absolute necessity. It has to be seen, whether the development backlog to the Team NZL cat has been compensated with the new designs. The report of the US-teams and a comment from downunder.
Monday, 22. April 2013
Winning the triple-points awarding last race on the final day, Francesco Bruni ITA on 'Luna Rossa - Swordfish' climbed on rank one of the Naples World Series fleetraces. 'Oracle Team USA' with the substitute helmsman Tom Slingsby AUS finished second with the same number of points. 'Emirates Team New Zealand' with with Dean Barker NZL is 3rd.
A revenge happened in the matchracing final where Slingsby AUS defeated Bruni ITA, making 'Oracle Team USA' the overall winner of the consolidated annual matchracing rankings. The report and the event-website with video and ranking lists.
A revenge happened in the matchracing final where Slingsby AUS defeated Bruni ITA, making 'Oracle Team USA' the overall winner of the consolidated annual matchracing rankings. The report and the event-website with video and ranking lists.
Sunday, 21. April 2013 (Image © Carlo Borlenghi)
Moderate winds around 10 kn prevailed also on the third day of the Naples AC World Series. 'Emirates Team New Zealand' with Dean Barker NZL was first in both fleetraces, taking the overall lead ahead of Tom Slingsby AUS moving up on rank 2 with his 'Oracle Team USA' 5 points behind the leader. Defeating Roman Hagara AUT in the matchrace semi-final, the Laser Olympic Champion Slingsby, rookie in the AC45, qualified also for today's final against 'Luna Rossa - Swordfish' with Francesco Bruni ITA, also for the first time helmsman on the AC45. The report and the website with results and the video of the day.
Saturday, 20. April 2013 (Image © Carlo Borlenghi)
The wind situation was more constant on the second day of the Naples event, compared to the gusty and shifty breeze from the shore on day one. Winners of the day in the fleetraces with the ranks 1 and 2 were 'Oracle Team USA' with Tom Slingsby AUS and 'Energy Team' with Yann Guichard FRA. The Americans lead now two points ahead of the tied 'Energy Team' and 'Team NZL'.
In matchracing, the Kiwis lost there quarter final against 'Luna Rossa - Swordfish' with Francesco Bruni ITA after a collision. The forth semi finalist is 'Oracle Team USA' winning against 'HS Racing' with Roman Hagara AUT. The pairing in today's semis are 'Luna Rossa' Chris Draper GBR vs 'Luna Rossa' of Francesco Bruni ITA, and 'JP Morgan BAR' (Ben Ainslie GBR) vs 'Oracle Team USA' (Tom Slingsby AUS). The report, the event-website with results and the videos.
In matchracing, the Kiwis lost there quarter final against 'Luna Rossa - Swordfish' with Francesco Bruni ITA after a collision. The forth semi finalist is 'Oracle Team USA' winning against 'HS Racing' with Roman Hagara AUT. The pairing in today's semis are 'Luna Rossa' Chris Draper GBR vs 'Luna Rossa' of Francesco Bruni ITA, and 'JP Morgan BAR' (Ben Ainslie GBR) vs 'Oracle Team USA' (Tom Slingsby AUS). The report, the event-website with results and the videos.
Friday, 19. April 2013 (Image © Carlo Borlenghi)
The last Act of the AC45 America's Cup World Series began yesterday in Naples ITA in a moderate very shifty breeze from the shore. After two fleetraces, the first two matchracing quarter finals were sailed.
Ben Ainslie GBR with his 'JP Morgan BAR', day ranks 3 and 1, took the overall fleetrace lead ahead of 'Emirates Team New Zealand' with Dean Barker NZL, followed by 'Luna Rossa - Pirhana' (Chris Draper GBR) and 'Oracle Racing' (Tom Slingsby AUS). The first two matchrace semi finalists are 'Luna Rossa - Piranha' (defeating 'Artemis Racing') and 'JP Morgan BAR' (defeating 'Energy Team'). The report and the results.
Ben Ainslie GBR with his 'JP Morgan BAR', day ranks 3 and 1, took the overall fleetrace lead ahead of 'Emirates Team New Zealand' with Dean Barker NZL, followed by 'Luna Rossa - Pirhana' (Chris Draper GBR) and 'Oracle Racing' (Tom Slingsby AUS). The first two matchrace semi finalists are 'Luna Rossa - Piranha' (defeating 'Artemis Racing') and 'JP Morgan BAR' (defeating 'Energy Team'). The report and the results.
Thursday, 18. April 2013 (Image © Carlo Borlenghi)
Today begins the final Act of the AC45 America's Cup World Series in the Bay of Naples ITA. Nine teams participate, among them the overall leader 'Oracle' steered this time by the Laser Olympic Champion Tom Slingsby AUS, replacing for the first time James Spithill AUS who stayed in San Francisco to continue the tests and trainings with the big AC72 cat. The second-ranked overall 'Luna Rossa - Piranha' with Chris Draper GBR, winner in Naples last year, is present with the A-team, as is 'Team New Zealand' with Dean Barker NZL. For the first time starting will be Roman Hagara AUT steering the 'HS Racing', formerly the second AC45 cat of 'Oracle'. The races can be followed today as from 14 hrs CET live on the Internet. The preview.
Monday, 15. April 2013
Next Thursday is the first day of the very last AC45 America's Cup World Series event. Yesterday Sunday, a tune-up event - the Coast Parade Trophy - was sailed with a victory of the favored 'Emirates Team New Zealand' with Dean Barker NZL ahead of 'Luna Rossa - Piranha' with Chris Draper GBR and 'Oracle' with James Spithill AUS. The short report.
Wednesday, 20. March 2013
Yesterday, the Italian 'Luna Rossa' America's Cup Team run the last training session in Auckland. The AC-72 multihull is now being loaded on a Cargo to be shipped to San Francisco, where the preparations for the Louis Vuitton-Cup will begin in May. The team will participate in the Napoli ITA America's Cup World Series on the AC-45 in the coming weeks. 'Luna Rossa' has left Auckland with a 'thank-you' video.
Wednesday, 20. March 2013
An incident occurred as the Team NZL shore team was preparing to fit the wingsail to the platform of the AC72 catamaran in blustery conditions. A decent section of the skin of the wing - an extremely complex and expensive piece of machinery - was ripped off after the leading edge of the sail clipped the side of the main building at the Team base in the Viaduct Harbour. But the team are playing down the severity of the incident, claiming the damage is relatively minor and more of an annoyance than anything else. The team plan to be back sailing tomorrow after a quick patch-up job. The report with a video, and a report update.
Friday, 1. March 2013 (Image © Guilain Grenier)
The AC72 tests of the two syndicates preparing the America's Cup on San Francisco Bay were less successful up to now as the trainings of 'Team NZL' and 'Luna Rossa' in Auckland NZL. The US Cup Defender 'Team Oracle' is trying to catch up the backlog caused by the capsize of their cat in October. Here a first air-taken video. Tom Slingsby AUS will for the first time be steering the AC45 at the America's Cup World Series in Venice ITA in April. James Spithill AUS and Ben Ainslie GBR will continue the AC72 tests in San Francisco. The report.
The 'Artemis' CEO Paul Cayard USA admits in a longer interview that misjudgements were made in the design of the first catamaran. J- instead of L-foils were supposed to just reduce the drag of the hulls without being delayed lifting the full weight of the boat out of the water while fully flying. The second cat under construction in Valencia shall be different. The first cat is being modified during the coming three weeks as much as possible in a short time in San Francisco. After Nathan Outteridge AUS and Ian Percy GBR, the team has been reinforced with their crews and Olympic medalists Andrew Simpson GBR and Ian Jensen AUS. The report.
The 'Artemis' CEO Paul Cayard USA admits in a longer interview that misjudgements were made in the design of the first catamaran. J- instead of L-foils were supposed to just reduce the drag of the hulls without being delayed lifting the full weight of the boat out of the water while fully flying. The second cat under construction in Valencia shall be different. The first cat is being modified during the coming three weeks as much as possible in a short time in San Francisco. After Nathan Outteridge AUS and Ian Percy GBR, the team has been reinforced with their crews and Olympic medalists Andrew Simpson GBR and Ian Jensen AUS. The report.
Thursday, 28. February 2013 (Image © Chris Cameron)
A high training intensity can be observed in Auckland where 'Emirates Team New Zealand' and the Italian 'Luna Ross' prepare for the Louis Vuitton Cup starting in July in San Francisco. Here a video report.
Tuesday, 26. February 2013
The investments in a tough trainings program in view of the Youth America's Cup trials have paid off for the Swiss 'Team Tilt'. Winning the qualification regatta, they have been selected for the Youth America's Cup of September 1 to 4, where they will encounter the youth teams of the four America's Cup syndicates. The young Geneva team will endeavour to improve their skills and performance in big multihull sailing participating in the Vulcain Trophy 2013, the annual championship of the D35 catamarans, and the Saffram-Speed-Tour 2013 of the 28-foot M2-catamaran. The report and the video.
Monday, 25. February 2013 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
With two race wins on the last day, 'Team Tilt' with Lucien Cujean SUI, the team of the two-times America's Cup defender Société Nautique of Geneva, took the overall lead of the Youth America's Cup qualifiers ahead of the Portugues team 'ROFF/Cascais Sailing' with Bernardo Freitas POR climbing on rank 2 in the heats.
Last evening, the Selection Committee around Roman Hagara AUT announced the qualified teams. The first two of both trial rounds will be invited for the Youth America's Cup in September i.e. 'Sailing Team Germany/NRV Youth Team' (Erik Heil GER), Full 'Metal Jacket Racing' (William Tiller NZL), 'Team Tilt' (Lucien Cujean SUI) and 'ROFF Cascais Sailing Team' (Bernardo Freitas POR). The NZL team had the nations qualification already based on the AC-72 entry of the Kiwis, so that the prominently staffed 'Objective Australia-Team' (Jason Waterhouse AUS/Tom Burton AUS) got an invitation for September as well. The report.
Last evening, the Selection Committee around Roman Hagara AUT announced the qualified teams. The first two of both trial rounds will be invited for the Youth America's Cup in September i.e. 'Sailing Team Germany/NRV Youth Team' (Erik Heil GER), Full 'Metal Jacket Racing' (William Tiller NZL), 'Team Tilt' (Lucien Cujean SUI) and 'ROFF Cascais Sailing Team' (Bernardo Freitas POR). The NZL team had the nations qualification already based on the AC-72 entry of the Kiwis, so that the prominently staffed 'Objective Australia-Team' (Jason Waterhouse AUS/Tom Burton AUS) got an invitation for September as well. The report.
Sunday, 24. February 2013 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
The Youth America's Cup qualifiers continued yesterday in San Francisco with another 7 races. Leader in the interims rankings is 'GBR Youth Challenge' with Andrew Sinclair GBR one point ahead of the Swiss 'Team Tilt' with Lucien Cujean SUI. But in the last heats today, some more teams have the change to move on one of the top two places: 'Team Portugal' and 'Argentina' Youth Team' are only 2 points behind the Swiss. Six races are on the program today. The report.
Saturday, 23. February 2013 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
Racing of the Group II Youth America's Cup hopefuls began yesterday in a 10-17 kn breeze on the waters of the Frisco Bay. Only 5 of the 6 planned races were sailed and not all teams have the same number of heats on their results sheet. Unbeaten after two races sailed only is the Swiss 'Team Tilt' from the SN Geneva with Lucien Cujean SUI steering. Also among the best is the 'GBR Youth Challenge' with James French GBR with two race wins and a second. The report.
Friday, 22. February 2013 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
The second round of the Youth America's Cup trials continued yesterday with more training sessions on the water. As from today until Sunday, races will be sailed. The selection of the four teams qualified for the Youth America's Cup of September 2013 will be made by the Race Director Roman Hagara AUT on next Monday. The official report.
Thursday, 21. February 2013 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
The breeze - too strong Tuesday to start the water trials - calmed down on 8-12 kn, just perfect to get familiar with the AC45 catamarans. Most of the young sailors were impressed with the performance of the racing-machines. The report.
Wednesday, 20. February 2013 (Image © Balasz Gardi)
Yesterday, the cold front over San Francisco Bay with a breeze exceeding 20 kn was too much for the high-performance racing machines and their newcomer teams. For today, the weather outlooks announces better conditions and the 6 teams will have their first lessons on the water. The report.
Tuesday, 19. February 2013 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
Round II of the Youth America's Cup qualifiers began yesterday with an introduction and fitness tests. Six teams - 'Team Tilt' (Lucien Cujean SUI), Argentina (Pablo Völker ARG), England (James French GBR), Italy (Kosuta Sivitz ITA) and Portugal (Bernardo Freitas POR), plus the already qualified nation New Zealand (Chris Steele NZL) are striving for a participation in September, max. two will be selected. Contrary to Round I, the weather forecast announces rain and a fresh breeze for the rest of the week ! The report.
Monday, 18. February 2013 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
Today begins the Youth America's Cup qualification round 2, determining who will participate in the Youth AC event in September. On top of the rankings of round 1 are the teams from New Zealand (William Tiller NZL) and Germany (Erik Heil GER). Participating in round 2 are 'Team Tilt' (Lucien Cujean SUI), Argentina (Pablo Völker ARG), England (James French GBR), Italy (Kosuta Sivitz ITA), New Zealand (Chris Steele NZL) and Portugal (Bernardo Freitas POR). The first two teams per round are on the pole positions for a selection, but the Youth America's Cup Race Director Roman Hagara AUT assisted by Hans-Peter Steinacher AUT will finally decide, based on a number of other criteria. Today, the fitness tests are on the program, before the on-the-water trainings will take place on Tuesday/Wednesday, followed by round robin races on Thursday and Friday. The event-website.
Saturday, 16. February 2013 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
Yesterday ended on the Frisco Bay the first round of the Youth America's Cup qualifiers. On top of the rankings after 18 races are with the same number of points 'Full Metall Jacket' with William Tiller NZL and 'Sailing-Team-Germany/NRV' with Erik Heil GER. The Youth AC Race Director Roman Hagara AUT, assisted by his standard crew Hans-Peter Steinacher AUT will make the final selections for the AC event in September only after the second qualifying event next week. The report.
Saturday, 16. February 2013 (Image © Guilain Grenier)
The modifications made during the repair of the severely damaged 'Team Oracle' AC-72 proved to be benefitial during yesterday's tests, as the cat is now really flying with the new foils. The latest video.
Friday, 15. February 2013 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
On Wednesday, after two AC45 wing catamatan introduction days, the six Group one AC Youth Teams started racing, and the results achieved will also be taken into account in the selections for the final in September. After 3 of 9 heats, the expected leader is 'Objective Australia' with Jason Waterhouse AUS steering and Tom Burton AUS calling tactics, as well as 'Team Austria' with Max Trippolt AUT and Benjamin Bildstein AUT and the ranks 1/1/2 on the score sheet each. One race win went also to the 'Team Germany'. The results of Thursday have not yet been posted on the event-website this morning CET.
Wednesday, 13. February 2013
Manoeuvre trainings were on the program again in San Francisco yesterday. As from today, races will be sailed that have an influence on the selection for the September event as have the personal impressions of the Youth AC Sport Director Roman Hagara AUT. Apparently, the Australians with Jason Waterhouse AUS steering and Tom Burton AUS as tactician were the most convincing team on the AC45-catamaran. No news on the official website today.
Tuesday, 12. February 2013
The six teams of round one of the Youth America's Cup Trials continued with the on-the-water activities, yesterday practicing manoeuvres. At the same time, the big AC72-cats of 'Team Oracle' and 'Artemis Racing' were on the water. The official report. The youngster obviously enjoy very much this unique opportunity to live the America's Cup dream. The report of the German Youth Team.
Monday, 11. February 2013
Yesterday, the teams had their first rides with the AC-45s on the Bay of San Francisco, in the morning in a moderate wind, freshening on 20 kn in the afternoon. For some of the crews, this was the first exit with a catamaran of that size, and oviously, the teams came back ashore enthusiastic about first tests. The report.
Sunday, 10. February 2013 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
The first round of the Youth America's Cup selections began yesterday with a demanding fitness test under the eyes of the event-responsible Sport Directors Roman Hagara AUT and Hans-Peter Steinacher AUT, supplemented with a theory lesson on AC-45 catamaran sailing. Despite of the young age of the participants, the teams present have well-known experienced sailors on their rosters: Helmsman of the 'Objective Australia' team ist the Catamaran ISAF Sailing Youth World Champion Jason Waterhouse AUS, tactician is the Laser World nbr 1 Tom Burton AUS. Skipper of the New Zealand 'Full Metal Jacket-Team' is the world-level matchracer Racer William Tiller NZL (See their video of yesterday). The teams of Germany (Erik Heil, Philipp Buhl) and Austria (Max Trippolt, Benjamin Bildstein) were presented here yesterday. The first group is completed with teams from South Africa and the Danish Youth Vikings. The official report.
Saturday, 9. February 2013
Today begins in San Francisco the first round of the Youth America's Cup selections. The Youth AC in September will be part of the AC Event, with all Challenger nations being represented by Youth teams. In addition, four teams will be nominated - no selection races are planned - by the responsibles Roman Hagara AUT and Hans-Jörg Steinacher AUT based on the performance showed during these qualifications in San Francisco.
Among the six nation teams of the first group are Austria (among others with the Olympic campaigners Max Trippolt AUT, Benjamin Bildstein AUT and Lukas Mähr AUT) and the Sailing Team Germany with Erik Heil GER steering and Philipp Buhl GER as tactician.
The official preview.
Among the six nation teams of the first group are Austria (among others with the Olympic campaigners Max Trippolt AUT, Benjamin Bildstein AUT and Lukas Mähr AUT) and the Sailing Team Germany with Erik Heil GER steering and Philipp Buhl GER as tactician.
The official preview.
Friday, 8. February 2013 (Image © Guilain Grenier)
The Cup Defender 'Team Oracle' has apparently made some modifications at his first AC-72-cats during the long repair phase after the crash last October,. Most visible are the foils that make the cat flying easier. 'A new boat' according to the helmsman Jimmy Spithill. The report and the video about the first tests.
Tuesday, 5. February 2013 (Image © Guilain Grenier)
Yesterday, the AC defender 'Team Oracle' was for the first time back on the water after the capsizing of USA-17 of last October causing major damages and a major setback in their preparations. First prudent functional tests were executed in moderate wind conditions. The report.
Monday, 4. February 2013 (Image © Richard Gladwell)
This morning as planned, the second AC-72-catamaran of the Emirates Team New Zealand was christened and touched the water for the first time at their base in Auckland. The breeze was too strong for a short trial round on the Bay, but next Thursday is the official first test day. Compared to the first cat, the hulls are somewhat higher and the foils shorter. The illustrated report.
This afternoon, the cup defender 'Oracle Racing' will relaunch the repaired AC-72 with a new wing-sail in San Francisco. The report.
This afternoon, the cup defender 'Oracle Racing' will relaunch the repaired AC-72 with a new wing-sail in San Francisco. The report.
Wednesday, 23. January 2013 (Image © Loris Von Siebenthal)
The Swiss 'Tilt' Team from the Societe Nautique of Geneva, that will compete in the Youth America's Cup Qualifiers as from February 9, was presented at a Press Conference in San Francisco yesterday. 6 of the 12 Teams will be selected for the AC event in September. The report.
Thursday, 17. January 2013
While the America's Cup defender 'Oracle' is still busy reassembling their first catamaran, damaged in the big turnover, due date early February, the Emirates Team New Zealand has already received the second AC-72 yesterday. The video.
Wednesday, 9. January 2013 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
The organisers of the America's Cup World Series, originally for 2013 planned in the AC72 cats, lateron changed to the AC45, had three events before the AC Challenger eliminations in July on their program. But now, the Cup-Management announced that only the AC45 Regatta in Naples ITA in April will take place. The two US events will be cancelled as interfering too much with the preparations for the AC Challenge. The report.
Wednesday, 2. January 2013 (Image © Reuters)
Russell Coutts is New Zealand's highest earning sportsperson by a significant margin with 13,4 Mio NZL$ (=11,1 Mio US$) annual income. This amount reflects his administrative role as team chief executive and active crew member of Larry Ellison's Oracle Team. He is undoubtedly the best-paid sailor world-wide. A news article.
Sunday, 30. December 2012 (Image © Chris Cameron)
Emirates Team New Zealand will remain the only team having used the full 30 days' on the water allowance with their AC-72 catamaran by Feb 1. Their foiling cat reached regularily top speeds exceeding 40 kn. Read the in-depth Interview with Dean Barker NZL, helmsman of the AC multihull, speacking about his experiences and the situations of the other syndicats.
Thursday, 13. December 2012 (Image © Richard Gladwell)
With a limit of only 30 days of sailing until February 1st allowed in the rules and the clock abruptly ticking down the days left for the team on the water, it was time to push the Kiwi AC72 further than it has been pushed so far. However, day 28 just happened to coincide with one of the most destructive days of weather Auckland has seen in some time, so it was a successfully mastered real stress test for the cat and the team. In a breeze exceeding 30 kn and big swell, the AC72 reached speeds of up to 42 kn. The Video.
ETNZ will be the only of the four syndicates preparing for the AC Challenge in September 72 having fully used the allowed 30 test days before Feb 1. The preparations on the water will continue in February with the second AC72 just being assembled during these days. A report including a video-interview with team head Grant Dalton NZL.
ETNZ will be the only of the four syndicates preparing for the AC Challenge in September 72 having fully used the allowed 30 test days before Feb 1. The preparations on the water will continue in February with the second AC72 just being assembled during these days. A report including a video-interview with team head Grant Dalton NZL.
Wednesday, 12. December 2012 (Image © Guilain Grenier)
Yesterday, the Organizing Authority of the Youth America's Cup, to be sailing on AC-45s as opening act of the America's Cup in September, announced that the participation limit for the qualifiers of February 2013 will be increased to 12 teams. On the entry list, there are teams from France, Germany (entered by the Sailing Team Germany), Austria and Switzerland (Team Tilt of the SN Geneva). The report.
Thursday, 29. November 2012
Two US Youth America's Cup Teams have been selected after a four days' training monitored by Oracle Team Members.In spring 2013, the next round will take place in San Francisco with the 23-years old Laser crack Charlie Buckingham's Californian 'Team America Racing' and the 'American Youth Sailing Force'with Ian Andrewes. The report.The selections for the European teams will take place in early December, among others with teams from Switzerland (SN of Geneva) and Germany 'Sailing-Team Germany'.The video.
Wednesday, 21. November 2012 (Image © Chris Cameron)
Thursday, 15. November 2012 (Image © Chris Cameron)
The Emirates Team New Zealand resumed the training sessions in Auckland yesterday. In a 25 kn breeze, the full America's Cup course was completed several times, and the foiler catamaran reached a top speed of 43,6 kn ! The report.
Saturday, 10. November 2012
Luna Rossa began her trainings in Auckland in a light breeze. Foiling was not yet possible, but the sessions were to the full satisfaction of the team. Next week, Team New Zealand will be back on the water. It is not known, whether joint trainings have been scheduled. The illustraded report.
Sunday, 4. November 2012 (Image © Sander van der Borch)
Artemis Racing has launched its AC72 catamaran yesterday as last of the four syndicates engaged in the America's Cup 2013. A first attempt three weeks ago had to be interrupted as a structural damage had been detected. Loďck Peyron FRA will steer the cat during the approx. one month run-in phase, before the skipper Terry Hutchinson USA will take over. The report and a comment by Paul Cayard, CEO.
Friday, 2. November 2012 (Image © Sander van der Borch)
Technical problems delayed the begin of the training sessions of the Swedish 'Artemis' team, but in the next days, the first steps will be made on the Frisco Bay waters. To speed up the learning curve, Tornquist/Cayard decided to hire the French multihull specialist Loďck Peyron at least for a month. As skipper of the round-the-world record holder 'Banque Populaire' and helmsman on various other multihulls (such as 'Alinghi', AC45 'Team Energy', etc), Peyron is one of the most experienced maxi cat experts. The report.
Thursday, 1. November 2012 (Image © Chris Cameron)
The TVNZ journalist Martin Tasker had the opporunity to join the 'Emirates Team New Zealand' during a training session.on their flying AC-72 catamaran. After the 'Oracle' capsize, much attention is given on safety. The TV report.
The Team Manager Rod Davies NZL explains in an interview the training program on the water..
The Team Manager Rod Davies NZL explains in an interview the training program on the water..
Saturday, 27. October 2012 (Image © Carlo Borlenghi)
Miuccia Prada, with her husband Patrizio Bertelli at her side – the Team Principal of Luna Rossa Challenge 2013 – broke the champagne bottle, thus christening the 22-metre maxi catamaran: mirrored hulls and a 40-metre high wingsail, its aft half also mirrored. Luna Rossa's AC 72 is the outcome of the effort that has kept the 70 team members busy for nearly one year; during this time, research, experimentation and construction progressed in lockstep, with use of the most sophisticated and breakthrough technology. Read the full report.
Thursday, 18. October 2012 (Image © Guilain Grenier)
The capsize of 'Oracle Team USA' during a training session two days ago - we reported yesterday - was a top story around the world. The recovery in the windy conditions and darkness was difficult, and the catamaran platform with the hulls partly filled with water was back at the team base only on 1 a.m. The wing sail worth 2 mio $ has been completely destroyed. A replacement rig will probably not be available before January 2013. A reason for the nose-dive of 'Oracle' might be the smaller bows of the hulls compared to the 'Team New Zealand' multihull. A number of comments have been posted on the America's Cup website, including some more videos of the crash. See also an illustrated report on the recovery.
Thursday, 18. October 2012 (Image © Emirates Team NZL)
Another day on the Emirates Team New Zealand AC72 and another blustery one.
With wind speed topping around 28 knots in the afternoon on the Hauraki Gulf, the guys managed to achieve everything they wanted in the upper range of conditions all the while being reminded just how on edge the boats really are. And the cat keeps on flying on her foils. An illustrated report.
With wind speed topping around 28 knots in the afternoon on the Hauraki Gulf, the guys managed to achieve everything they wanted in the upper range of conditions all the while being reminded just how on edge the boats really are. And the cat keeps on flying on her foils. An illustrated report.
Wednesday, 17. October 2012
When bearing-away during the training on San Francisco Bay late yesterday afternoon (PDT) - the winds were blowing about 25 knots, and there was strong ebb current at the time (the strongest of the year) - the 'Oracle Team' AC72 catamaran pitch-poled. No one was hurt, but the the wing sail was badly damaged. With darkness falling the team was still working to secure the AC72 catamaran, already drifting past the Golden Gate Bridge, to return it to the team base at Pier 80. The report, the video of the capsizeg, a TV-report on the rescue and pictures of the destroyed boat.
Thursday, 11. October 2012
Before the America's Cup World Series last week, the 'Team Energy' AC-45 cat snapped its mooring line drifted off into the darkness, unmanned and out of control. It fetched up on the rocks of Treasure Island, where it was spotted from the land and brought back to the pier. Loďck Peyron FRA and his team are now presented with "a valid maritime salvage claim" of $ 200'000 based on a law from 1800. Court has to decide ! Read the article in SFGate for more.
Wednesday, 10. October 2012 (Image © Richard Gladwell)
The impressive high-speed runs of the 'Emirates Team New Zealand' AC72-catamaran - here the video - stunned the competors. 'Oracle Racing' and 'Artemis Racing' lodged a measurement protest for breaking the rules about the size of the foiler daggerboards. Last Friday. the international America's Cup-Jury approved the interpretation of the Kiwis. An article in Sail World and a broadcast of TV New Zealand. 'Oracle' and 'Artemis' are now forced into a redesign process costing time and money.
Monday, 8. October 2012 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
Winning the last fleetrace with quadruple points, James Spithill AUS ('Oracle Racing') joined the leading Ben Ainslie GBR ('JP Morgan BAR') on top and broke the tie with this final race win, taking the AC World Series overall victory at the same time. On Saturday, the Australian won already the Matchrace Final. On the third place behind Ben Ainslie GBR is Terry Hutchinson USA on 'Artemis Racing White'. The report, the ranking lists and the videos.
Saturday, 6. October 2012 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
Two fleetraces and the remaining two matchrace Quarter Finals were sailed yesterday at the AC-World-Series in San Francisco. Ben Ainslie GBR ('JP Morgan BAR') extended his lead in the fleetrace with the day ranks 1 and 2. Terry Hutchinson USA ('Artemis Racing - White'), ranks 2 and 1 as well, keeps the contact on rank 2. Nathan Outteridge AUS ('Artemis Racing - Red') follows on rank 3.
'Oracle Racing - Spithill' defeating Ben Ainslie GBR and 'Artemis Racing - Red' with Nathan Outteridge AUS eliminating the leading Russell Coutts NZL ('Oracle Racing') who rounded the wrong mark just before the finish line and was disqualified. The Semi Finals are 'Artemis White' (Hutchinson USA) vs 'Oracle - Spithill' and 'Artemis Red' (Outteridge AUS) vs 'Team New Zealand' (Dean Barker NZL). The resultats, the report and the videos.
'Oracle Racing - Spithill' defeating Ben Ainslie GBR and 'Artemis Racing - Red' with Nathan Outteridge AUS eliminating the leading Russell Coutts NZL ('Oracle Racing') who rounded the wrong mark just before the finish line and was disqualified. The Semi Finals are 'Artemis White' (Hutchinson USA) vs 'Oracle - Spithill' and 'Artemis Red' (Outteridge AUS) vs 'Team New Zealand' (Dean Barker NZL). The resultats, the report and the videos.
Friday, 5. October 2012 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
Thursday AC-45 racing in San Francisco started with two Quarter Finals sailed in a 15 kn breeze. 'Artemis Racing - White' with Terry Hutchinson USA defeated 'Team Korea' with Peter Burling NZL and 'Team New Zealand' with Dean Barker NZL was ahead of 'Energy Team' with Loďck Peyron FRA. The other two Quarter Finals will follow today.
After the matchraces, the first two fleetraces were sailed and Ben Ainslie GBR, 'JP Morgan BAR-Team', took the lead with the ranks 1 and 3. 'Oracle Racing - Spithill', 'Artemis Racing Red' with Nathan Outteridge AUS and 'Oracle Racing - Coutts' follow tied five points behind. 12 teams racing. The report, the ranking lists and the videos.
After the matchraces, the first two fleetraces were sailed and Ben Ainslie GBR, 'JP Morgan BAR-Team', took the lead with the ranks 1 and 3. 'Oracle Racing - Spithill', 'Artemis Racing Red' with Nathan Outteridge AUS and 'Oracle Racing - Coutts' follow tied five points behind. 12 teams racing. The report, the ranking lists and the videos.
Thursday, 4. October 2012 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
The AC-45-America's Cup World Series 2012 in San Francisco began yesterday in a 20 kn breeze and a stiff counter-current with the qualification heat to determine the Match Race pairings. The surprise of the day was 'Team Korea' with Peter Burling NZL as the new helmsman. The 49er Olympic Silver Medalist, age 21, has steered the wing-cat two weeks ago for the first time, and qualified immediately for the second round against 'Artemis Racing White' with Terry Hutchinson USA. The other pairings are 'Energy Team' (Loďck Peyron FRA) vs 'Team New Zealand' (Dean Barker NZL), 'Artemis Racing Red' (Nathan Outteridge AUS) vs 'Oracle Team USA Coutts' (Russel Coutts NZL) and 'JP Morgan BAR' (Ben Ainslie GBR) vs 'Oracle Team USA Spithill' (James Spithill AUS). The report and the videos.
Wednesday, 3. October 2012 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
The second America's Cup World Series San Francisco begins today with qualifying racing for the match racing championship. Tomorrow the first two of seven scheduled fleet races kick off the event championship, which concludes Sunday, Oct. 7, with a live nationwide broadcast on NBC. Read the complete report.
Tuesday, 2. October 2012
The next round of the AC-45 Catamaran America's Cup World Series begins today with the Practice Race. Match and Fleet Races are on the program as in the previous rounds. Excitement for the French 'Energy Team' of Loďck Peyron FRA, as their catamaran came off the mooring in the night on Sunday and drifted over the Frisco Bay for hours until being recovered 1,5 miles from the harbour ! The report, the event-website and a "list of sailor's knots to tie up a yacht."
Friday, 7. September 2012
At a Media-Day, Team New Zealand invited journalists to a 'flight' with the AC-72 foiler catamaran. In a 20 kn breeze, the 72-foot multihull sailed in top speeds of over 40 kn The video.
Tuesday, 4. September 2012 (Image © SwanImages)
Team New Zealand has been testing its AC-72 catamaran, to be in action at the 2013 beim America's Cup Challenge, during several weeks now. In the latest test, experiments have been going on with modified daggerboards and rudders enhanced with foils, and the AC-72 cat was consistently flying in a 15-20 kn breeze. The illustrated report.
Saturday, 1. September 2012
After 'Artemis' and 'Emirates Team New Zealand', the Cup Defender 'Oracle' has completed the construction of its first AC-72-catamaran with a wing sail. Yesterday Friday, the AC-cat did the first tests on the Frisco-Bay. The video and the illustrated report.
Monday, 27. August 2012 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
Russell Coutts NZL defeated his 'Oracle' team mate James Spithill AUS in the San Francisco AC World Series Matchrace Final rushing over the finish line in a 20+ kn speed a few meters in front. The 'Oracle Racing' team triumph was total at this home game with James Spithill AUS winning the Fleetrace overall with a 2nd race rank in the final heat, ahead of 'Luna Rossa - Piranha' with Paul Campbell-James GBR and 'Team Korea' with Nathan Outteridge AUS. The French 'Energy Team' with Yann Guichard FRA is on the 4th place. The results, the daily report and the videos.
Sunday, 26. August 2012 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
James Spithill AUS, 'Oracle Racing', was again the man of the day yesterday, with the fleetrace ranks 1 and 2, and the Semifinal win over 'Emirates Team New Zealand' (Dean Barker NZL) . He has a clear lead before the last race, but theoretically, four other teams could overtake him today. 'Team Energy' with Yann Guichard FRA advanced on the 2nd place overall with the day ranks 1 and 3. 'Team Korea' (Nathan Outteridge AUS) and 'Luna Rossa - Piranha' (Paul Campbell-James GBR) follow at equal points on rank 3. The pairing in the Matchrace Final will be James Spithill AUS vs Russell Coutts NZL. The results, the daily report and the videos.
Saturday, 25. August 2012 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
Two fleetraces and the first two matchrace Quarter Finals were sailed yesterday at the AC World Series on the Frisco Bay in a 20 kn breeze. A special mention goes to 'Team Korea' with Nathan Outteridge AUS, the 49er Olympic Chamion more and more at ease with the AC-45, finishing 2nd and 4th and advancing on rank 2 overall. James Spithill AUS on 'Oracle Racing' remains on top. The show block this time came from the CEO Russell Coutts NZL ('Oracle Racing') himself, who crashed into the starting vessel at high speed and had to abandon the race. Here the Video. The French 'Energy Team' with Yann Guichard FRA steering and Arnaud Psarofaghis SUI moved up on rank 4 behind 'Luna Rossa - Piranha' with Paul Campbell James GBR.
Winners of the first Matchrace Quarter Finals were 'Team New Zealand' with Dean Barker NZL vs 'JP Morgan BAR' with Ben Ainslie GBR. In a close fight, Russell Coutts NZL ('Oracle Racing') defeated the 'Energy Team'. Today, some more fleetraces and the two remaining Matchrace Quarter Finals are on the program. The daily report, the rankings and the videos.
Winners of the first Matchrace Quarter Finals were 'Team New Zealand' with Dean Barker NZL vs 'JP Morgan BAR' with Ben Ainslie GBR. In a close fight, Russell Coutts NZL ('Oracle Racing') defeated the 'Energy Team'. Today, some more fleetraces and the two remaining Matchrace Quarter Finals are on the program. The daily report, the rankings and the videos.
Friday, 24. August 2012 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
Two fleetraces were sailed in a 12-16 kn breeze at the AC World Series in San Francisco, and to the joy of the public, the two cats of the home team 'Oracle Racing' with James Spithill AUS and Russell Coutts NZL dominated and won a race each. The two 'Artemis' teams with Santiago Lange ARG and Terry Hutchinson USA steering follow on the positions 3 and 4. The 49er Olympic Champion Nathan Outteridge AUS is 5th with his 'Korea Team', Loďck Peyron FRA are 6th of the 11 teams. The report, the ranking list and the videos.
Thursday, 23. August 2012 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
The AC-World Series final began yesterday in San Francisco with the Match-Race-Qualifications with both 'Luna Rossa' teams with Chris Draper GBR and Max Sirena ITA qualified for the Quarter Finals defeating 'Artemis' resp. 'Team China'. The most interesting duel was among the two Olympic Champions Ben Ainslie GBR ('JP Morgan BAR') and Natahan Outteridge AUS ('Team Korea') with the Matchrace-experienced Ainslie as winner 2-0. The report and the videos.
Wednesday, 22. August 2012 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
Today is day one of the AC45-World Series final on the Frisco Bay with 11 teams. Most teams have been practising for days, and yesterday, a tune-up race was sailed in a 17-20 kn breeze. Spectacle seems to be guaranteed, as 'Emirates Team New Zealand' and 'China Team' demonstrated with their capsizes yesterday. The report.
Tuesday, 21. August 2012
San Francisco Bay took a bite out of the AC World Series teams on Saturday as training intensifies ahead of Championship Racing next week. Nine of 11 race crews were on the water during the afternoon, in building conditions. Team Korea was the first to capsize. Before leaving the dock, skipper Nathan Outteridge had spoken of the need to be conservative in the early stages of training, but said his team would likely be pushing more and more each day. Saturday, they found out what happens when you push too hard. The second capsize of the afternoon was more damaging. Luna Rossa Swordfish went over later in the afternoon with the wind gusting over 20 knots. Read the full report.
Friday, 10. August 2012 (Image © Chris Cameron)
The Emirates Team New Zealand are the first to tests the big AC72 cat with the wing sail on the waters of the Hauracki Bay. A short video of the third day has been publishen.
Sunday, 5. August 2012
The prolongated entry deadline August 1 is over and the Challengers for the coming America's Cup are known. The Cup-Holder 'Oracle Racing' will be challenged by one of the following teams: Artemis Racing (SWE), Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), Luna Rossa Challenge (ITA) or Team Korea (KOR). The Challengers' eliminations, the Louis Vuitton Cup, will start on July 4th, 2013. The America's Cup Challenge takes place from September 7 to 22, 2013 in San Francisco. The report.
Monday, 23. July 2012 (Image © Chris Cameron)
The first AC72 to touch water has been named 'New Zealand' during a rousing ceremony with fireworks in Auckland on Saturday evening with Prime Minister John Key in attendance and speeches by the Grant Dalton, Managing Director, and Dean Barker, Skipper. With thousands of supporters present, Dean Barker's wife Mandy christened the boat 'New Zealand'. The report. The video of the christening. 'Team Oracle' USA is supposed to be the next team to unveil later this summer in San Francisco.
Wednesday, 4. July 2012 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
The America's Cup World Series have probably the best high-tech media coverage ever available in a sail race. Nevertheless, the film team missed the most important incident of the week, the capsize of the 'Emirates Team New Zealand' AC-45 catamaran. The NZL team could not release the wing-sail in a sudden bear-away manoeuvre and turned over, damaging the hard-sail seriously. In the mean-time, an amateur video has appeared showing the final phase of the capsize.
Monday, 2. July 2012 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
Admittedly, James Spithill AUS was defeated in the Newport Match Race Final by his boss Russell Coutts NZL, but this was good enough for the overall victory in the America's Cup World Series 2012 ahead of 'Emirates Team New Zealand' (Dean Barker NZL) and 'Artemis Racing' (Terry Hutchinson USA) on the ranks 2 and 3. The report.
Sunday, 1. July 2012 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
Two fleetraces were sailed yesterday again in favorable conditions with a 15 kn seabreeze. James Spithill AUS with 'Oracle Team' was again the best in the 6 boats' fleet, although he had to leave rank 1 in the second race to Dean Barker NZL with his 'Emirates Team New Zealand'. The Newport and ovall World Series victory of Spithill is now a fact, as he is also qualified for the matchracing final against the Oracle CEO Russell Coutts NZL today. As closing competition for the 6 boats, a final fleetrace will follow after the matchrace. The report and the video of the day.
Saturday, 30. June 2012 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
The two teams of the Cup Defender 'Oracle Racing' dominated the scene yesterday in front of an enthusiastic public. James Spithill AUS and Russell Coutts NZL qualifiied for the Matchrace Final of Sunday. The Fleetrace sailed after the Matches had 'Oracle Team Spithill' as winner, overtaking the so far leading 'Team New Zealand' with Dean Barker NZL just before the finish line. Nevertheless, Barker and his team were at least satisfied to have their AC-45 cat fully functional again after the capsize and wing damage of Thursday. The video of the day and the report.
Friday, 29. June 2012 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
The first day of the AC World Series final in Newport ended dramatically. After an initial fleetrace to determine the matchrace seeding - winner was 'Oracle Team Spithill' (James Spithil AUS) - the fleet proceeded to the matchracing flights. 'Oracle Team Spithill' defeated 'Team Korea' with Nathan Outteridge AUS 2-1, catching up a 0-1 start. 'Artemis Racing' (Terry Hutchinson USA) defeated 'Energy Team' (Loďck Peyron FRA) 2-0 and 'Oracle Team Coutts' (Russell Coutts NZL) defeated 'Luna Rossa - Swordfish' (Paul Campbell-James GBR) 2-1. In the fourth duel, 'Team New Zealand' with Dean Barker NZL capsized surprisingly in a not too strong breeze and had to abandon the competition with a damaged wing. 'Luna Rossa -Piranha' with Chris Draper GBR qualifiied for today's semi-finals, that can be followed live on the Internet. After the matchraces, fleetraciing is on the program. Hopefully, 'Team New Zealand' will again be on the water by then. The report and the videos.
Thursday, 28. June 2012 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
Numerous spectators attended the first trainings races of the final America's Cup World Series in Newport R.I. yesterday. As from today, the competition begins with the first match- and fleetraces. The matchace will be crucial for Dean Barker NZL and his 'Emirates Team New Zealand' who must win today's matchrace to stay in the hunt for the overall classification. The Kiwis are four points behind 'Oracle-Racing' with James Spithill AUS. The second AC-45 of the Cup Defender will be steered by Russell Coutts NZL this time. The report and the video-preview.
Wednesday, 27. June 2012 (Image © Guilain Grenier)
Experimenting for the America's Cup Challenge, 'Oracle Racing' has been testing foils at their catamarans. A modified AC-45-Cat with lifting foils attached to the daggerboards and rudders sailed on the San Francisco Bay waters, but no major advantage seems to have been achieved. An illustrated article in TheDailySail.
Wednesday, 27. June 2012 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
Today begins the final Act of the AC World Series with the AC defender 'Oracle Racing' with James Spithill AUS and 'Emirates Team New Zealand' with Dean Barker NZL as favorites for the overall victory, but in the meantime, some other teams have made progress, such as Loďck Peyron's 'Energy Team' FRA or 'Team Korea' with Nathan Outteridge AUS. The official preview.
Tuesday, 26. June 2012 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
Today begins the last round of the AC World Series 2012 at Newport RI, the most prestigious venue in the America's Cup History. Most probably, victory will go to one of the favorites with 'Oracle Racing' of James Spithill AUS leading 4 points in front of 'Team New Zealand' of Dean Barker NZL. The official preview.
Wednesday, 20. June 2012
The number of Challengers for the 34th America's Cup defense next year is still very small with 'Team New Zealand', the Swedish 'Artemis Racing' and 'Luna Rossa' as the only entrants. Therefore, the organisers, in agreement with the challengers, had decided to prolongate the entry period until August 1, 2012. Now, 'Team Korea' has officially joined the challengers of 'Oracle Racing' by confirming the participation and paying the entry fee. The report.
Sunday, 27. May 2012
Artemis Racing has been the first competitor for the 34th America's Cup to have launched and sailed with a full size AC72 wing using a modified trimaran since March 15. While training off Valencia on Friday, this Artemis Racing AC72 wing suffered significant damage. No one was injured. Purpose of these tests is to gain valuable knowledge about the performance, structure and handling of an AC72 wing. The Artemis website.
Monday, 21. May 2012 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
The breeze was very light only on the last day of the AC World Series sailed on the Venice ITA Canale Grande, and only sporadic tiny gusts caused ongoing entertaining position changes. Loďck Peyron FRA with his 'Energy' was first in the last race and with this the overall winner of the Venice Act. The steady favorites 'Oracle Racing - James Spithill' and 'Emirates Team New Zealand' had nothing to do with the decision, as the all French team (plus the Swiss Moth European Champion Arnaud Psarophagis) was on position one right from the first day, winning for the first time a World Series regatta. Winner of the Match Race Final was 'Artemis' (Terry Hutchinson USA) defeating 'Luna Rossa - Piranha' (Chris Draper GBR). The report and the videos.
Sunday, 20. May 2012 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
Light winds prevailed for yesterday's two fleetraces and the matchracing semi-finals. Winners of the day were 'Luna Rossa -Swordfish' with Chris Draper GBR and 'Artemis Racing' with Terry Hutchinson USA. 'Energy' with Loďck Peyron FRA remains on top, but the first four teams (without US contenders) are separated by two points only before the last races scheduled for today. The matchracing final pairing is 'Artemis Racing' vs 'Luna Rossa - Piranha' with Paul Campbell-James GBR. Moreover, a speed contest is on the program . The daily report and the video of the day.
Saturday, 19. May 2012 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
Two more fleetraces were sailed yesterday in a 8-10 kn breeze in the narrow Canale Grande of Venice ITA, demanding full attention of the teams in the many manoeuvers. The French 'Energy'-Team with Loďck Peyron FRA defended its lead with the day ranks 2 and 3. To the great pleasure of the numerous local public, the two Italian 'Luna-Rossa'-Teams 'Swordfish' (with Paul Campbell-James GBR) and 'Piranha' (Chris Draper GBR) climbed on the ranks 2 and 3. The matchracing semi-finalls however had tot be postponed to today. The results, the daily report and the videos. Today again, the races can be followed live on the Internet.
Friday, 18. May 2012 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
Two fleetraces and the matchracing quarter finals were on the program yesterday on the first day of the Venice ITA AC World Series. Finishing 1 and 3, the French 'Energy'-Team with Loďck Peyron FRA took the lead ahead of 'Luna Rossa - Swordfish' (Paul Campbell-James GBR) and 'Team Korea' (Nathan Outteridge AUS). Qualified for the matchracing semi finals are 'Energy Team', 'Artemis Racing', 'Oracle Team USA Spithill' and 'Luna Rossa Piranha'. The report and the video of the day.
Thursday, 17. May 2012
Two fleetraces and the first matchracing quarter finals are on the program today, first day of the second-last America's Cup Series 2011/12 in Venice ITA. The overall leader of the Circuit is 'Emirates Team New Zealand' ahead of 'Oracle Racing' and 'Artemis'. But the smaller teams have now caught up their deficit in trainings' hours, and the Italian public expects before all some exploits from the two Italian 'Luna Rossa'-team. The event-website. The regattas can be followed live this afternoon. .
Monday, 14. May 2012 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
AC-45 - City of Venice Trophy - Venezia ITA, 'Luna Rossa' and 'Artemis' winners of the opening races
At the Opening of the America's-Cup-Festival-Week in Venice ITA over the past weekend, the Venice Trophy, a series of short races, and a long-distance race with the finish line close to the St-Marks Square were organised. As from Thursday, the World Series Regattas will be sailed. The overall victory of the short races went to 'Luna Rossa - Piranha' with Chris Draper GBR, and in the long-distance race on Sunday, it was 'Artemis' with Terry Hutchinson USA, who took the winner's Trophy. The report and the event-website.
Friday, 4. May 2012
The second part of the GP Guyader began last Wednesday in the Bay of Douarnenez. Participating are the Dragons with a World-Championship-worthy fleet, as well as the IMOCA Open 60 for once not as a solo class but sailed by teams. One race was sailed on the first day, but yesterday, there was not enough wind for further races. First ranked in the Dragons are Ben Van Cauwenbergh BEL and his team ahead of Henrik Larsen UKR and Dmitri Samokhin RUS. Ed Sawyer USA and his team were 17th. The first race of the IMOCA Open 60 has been postponed to today yesterday. The event-website.
Monday, 16. April 2012 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
The AC World Series of Naples ITA ended yesterday with a fleet-race and the match-race finals in a light wind.with a superb performace by the local 'Luna Rossa' Team. The Italians with Chris Draper GBR steering finished first in the fleet-race bringing them on top of the overall rankings. The 'Luna-Rossa' team reached also the match-race final, were they were defeated by 'Artemis' with Terry Hutchinson USA. The report, the results and the videos.
Sunday, 15. April 2012 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
Gale-force winds and high waves did not allow racing yesterday at the AC World Series. Today, last day of the event, the matchracing semi-finals and finals are on the program. The fleetrace ended prematurely after 7 races with 'Emirates Team New Zealand' (Dean Barker NZL) as winner, confirming his victory at Plymouth GBR and taking the overall lead. 'Oracle Racing' with James Spithill USA follows on rank 2, 'Luna Rossa - Piranha' with Chris Draper GBR is third. The matchracing semi-final pairings for today are 'Artemis' (Terry Hutchinson USA) vs 'Luna Rossa - Swordfish' (Paul Campbell-James GBR) and 'Luna Rossa - Piranha' (Chris Draper GBR) vs 'Oracle Racing' (Darren Bundock AUS). The results, the daily report and the videos.
Saturday, 14. April 2012 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
Different conditions in the Bay of Naples yesterday with a light breeze from the land and a considerable swell from offshore, quite a challenge for the helmsmen. James Spithill AUS on 'Oracle Racing' mastered these conditions the best finishing twice on rank 2, bringing the AC Defender's team closer to the leading 'Team New Zealand' (Dean Barker NZL). The backlog has melted to 5 points. 'Luna Rossa' with Chris Draper GBR remains on the 3rd place, 'Team Korea' (Nathan Outteridge AUS) defended rank 4. Thanks to a race win, the French 'Energy' with Yann Guichard FRA advances on rank 5 at equal points with rank 4.
The two Match Races of the day went to 'Artemis' (defeating 'Team New Zealand') and the second 'Luna Rossa'-team with Paul Campbell-James GBR (defeating 'Energy'). The repört, the Rangliste and the video of the day.
The two Match Races of the day went to 'Artemis' (defeating 'Team New Zealand') and the second 'Luna Rossa'-team with Paul Campbell-James GBR (defeating 'Energy'). The repört, the Rangliste and the video of the day.
Friday, 13. April 2012 (Image © Chris Cameron)
The AC World Series continued yesterday - in more moderate conditions as on the opening day - with three matchraces followed by two fleetraces. 'Team New Zealand' with Dean Barker NZL was the winner of both fleetraces extending the lead. 'Oracle Racing' with James Spithill AUS remained second despite of the rather modest ranks 4 and 7. Among the winners of the day were the two 'Luna Rossa' cats both with a second-rank finish and 'Team Korea' with Nathan Outteridge AUS. Chris Draper GBR steering one of the Italian AC-45 is new on third overall, together with 'Team Korea' of Nathan Outteridge AUS, btw both very successful 49er high-performance helmsmen.
Winners of the three matchraces were 'Artemis' (Terry Hutchinson USA), 'Luna Rossa' (Chris Draper GBR) and 'Oracle Racing' (Darren Bundock AUS), the latter defeating his 'Oracle' team mate James Spithill AUS. The results, the daily report and the video of the day.
Winners of the three matchraces were 'Artemis' (Terry Hutchinson USA), 'Luna Rossa' (Chris Draper GBR) and 'Oracle Racing' (Darren Bundock AUS), the latter defeating his 'Oracle' team mate James Spithill AUS. The results, the daily report and the video of the day.
Thursday, 12. April 2012 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
The 25 kn breeze and big waves set a perfect stage for a spectacle at the first 2012 event of the America's Cup World Series in the Bay of Naples ITA. The Swedish 'Artemis' (Terry Hutchinson USA) had to abandon the race and return ashore early after a capsize destroying the wing sail. Obviously, the experienced AC-45 cat teams had the upperhand with 'Teams von 'Team New Zealand' (Dean Barker NZL and 'Oracle Racing' (James Spithill AUS) both with day ranks 1 and 3 on top of the rankings. On position 3 follows as big surprise 'Team Korea' with Nathan Outteridge AUS, who has been on an AC-45 for the first time a week ago. Yann Guichard FRA steering 'Energy' is on rank 4. The results, the daily report and the video of the day with the capsize of 'Artemis'.
Wednesday, 11. April 2012 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
As from this afternoon, the AC45 wing-sail catamarans will kickoff the 2012 AC World Series racing on the waters of the Bay of Naples ITA. 9 teams from 7 nations are present, among them for the first time 'Luna Rossa', who - on the home waters - will show off with two cats, steered by Max Sirena ITA and Chris Draper GBR. Another newcomer to the series is the 49er World Champion Nathan Outteridge AUS as helmsman of the 'Team Korea'. Lacking 'live' trainings possibilities, he prepared himself by means of the newly launched online game AC-Speed-Trials. Favorites are 'Team New Zealand' with Dean Barker NZL, leader of the Series overall rankings, as well as the two team of the cupholder 'Oracle' with James Spithill AUS and Darren Bundock AUS. The only French team staying with the Series is 'Energy' of Bruno and Loďck Peyron FRA. 'Team Aleph' decided last week to withdraw from the Cup lacking sufficient sponsor money. The official preview. The races will be transmitted live on the Internet as from 1 p.m. UCT.
Wednesday, 28. March 2012
It's full speed ahead for the 2013 America's Cup race in San Francisco. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors today approved the agreement to host the America's Cup in San Francisco September 7 to 22, 2013. The San Francisco agreement calls for teams to be based at Piers 30/32 and for the America's Cup Village – the public Race Headquarters – at Piers 27/29. The pier improvements will be funded by the Port. Read the full report.
Thursday, 22. March 2012
Up to now, the only US-American in the 'Oracle Racing' sailing team is John Kostecki USA, who will have the chance to be part of the America's Cup Defence 2013 on his home waters. In an extensive interview, he shares with us his sailing experiences so far and especially his enthusiasm for dinghy sailing as the basis for further regatta successes.
Thursday, 1. March 2012
San Francisco now has a downsized and diminished stake in hosting the America's Cup yacht race. Gone is a guarantee to turn a crumbling set of piers into a front-porch home base for the high-tech racers on the Embarcadero. Read more in a SF Gate article of yesterday.
Monday, 23. January 2012 (Image © Lloyd Images)
Ernesto Bertarelli SUI gives his comeback as skipper and helmsman of the 'Alinghi' cat at the opening event of the Extreme Sailing Series 2012 in Dubai end of February. Another returnee to the public-friendly tour will be Erik Maris FRA. The preview.
Saturday, 21. January 2012
'Team New Zealand' has also started the construction of the first America's-Cup-catamaran AC72. The Team director Grant Dalton recently showed media around the boatyard and in formed in detail. The video-report.
Monday, 16. January 2012
It is the season of Bargain Sales right now in most of the places around the world. Why not participate in a very special auction taking place from today Jan 17 until Feb 3 to upgrade your sailing equipment?
Monday, 16. January 2012 (Image © Natalie Slade)
Two teams financed by billionaires ('Oracle' and 'Artemis'), two team struggling to finance the Challenge ('Team NZL' and 'Luna Rossa') and six challengers sailing in the AC-45 World Series that have not yet paid the entry fee and with some doubts regarding their upholding the challenge. That is the real situation of the 34th America's Cup Challenge.
A deal struck with 'Luna Rossa' will help 'Team New Zealand' compete against the eye-watering budgets of the billionaire-funded America's Cup teams. The Italian team's arrival in Auckland this week marks the beginning of the first formal collaboration between two teams in 160 years of the America's Cup. Over the next 12 months the two teams will work closely together, first sailing in SL33 prototypes, which ETNZ unveiled this week, and post-July in their newly launched AC72. Read the details in today's article in the NZ Herald.
A deal struck with 'Luna Rossa' will help 'Team New Zealand' compete against the eye-watering budgets of the billionaire-funded America's Cup teams. The Italian team's arrival in Auckland this week marks the beginning of the first formal collaboration between two teams in 160 years of the America's Cup. Over the next 12 months the two teams will work closely together, first sailing in SL33 prototypes, which ETNZ unveiled this week, and post-July in their newly launched AC72. Read the details in today's article in the NZ Herald.
Friday, 13. January 2012
'Artemis', the Swedish Challenger of Record for the 34th America's Cup has started to construct the 72-foot-AC-catamaran, designed by Juan Kouyoumidijian ARG. In early December, the Valencian ship-yard King Marine relocated a portion of its work force to the Artemis Racing operations base near Gothenburg, Sweden, to be in line with the requirements of the Deed of Gift for a national construction. 'Artemis Racing' represents the Royal Swedish Yacht Club / Kungliga Svenska Segel Sällskapet (KSSS). The report.
Thursday, 12. January 2012 (Image © Photo AP)
Another interview with Ben Ainslie GBR on his future plans in theTelegraph.
Wednesday, 11. January 2012
The four-times Olympic medalist and Finn dominator for some years already announced at a press conference yesterday, that he will join the America's Cup after the Olympics 2012. He will be ready to join the Cup Defender 'Team Oracle' by 2013, and up to then, he will race in the America's Cup World Series (where 'Oracle' is already participating with two teams) with his own team 'Ben Ainslie Racing' defending the colours of the English Royal Cornwall Yacht Club with the long-term goal to become a challenger of the America's Cup with this team. Articles in the Independent and Sail World on the press conference including an Ainslie/Coutts video clip.
Wednesday, 11. January 2012
Read an interesting comment by Richard Gladwell in Sailing World and the respective Jury Decision.
Monday, 21. November 2011 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
The final day with a breeze exceeding 20 kn for the first time was spectacular for the large crowd ashore. After winning the matchrace part two days ago, 'Oracle Racing' with James Spithill AUS finished also first in yesterday's fleetrace ahead of 'Emirates Team New Zealand' (Dean Barker NZL) and the two French teams 'Energy' (Yann Guichard FRA) and 'Aleph' (Pierre Pennec FRA). 'Oracle Racing - Coutts' with Darren Bundock AUS steering was the fastest in the speed trials with 26,87. The final report and the videos of the day.
Sunday, 20. November 2011 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
The 'Oracle Racing' Spithill crew swept across the finish line ahead of Yann Guichard's 'Energy Team' FRA to a 2-0 win on Saturday afternoon, earning appreciative applause from the large crowd gathered just a few yards away on Broadway and Navy Piers, taking the matchracing title at the AC World Series in San Diego. Today, another 500 meter speed contest is on the program, followed by a single fleetrace to allocate the fleetracing title. The report and the videos.
Saturday, 19. November 2011 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
'Oracle Racing' with James Spithill AUS and 'Team Energy' with Yann Guichard FRA are the finalists of the San Diego AC World Series event. Spithill's 'Oracle Racing' eliminated 'Emirates Team New Zealand' in light and unconstant winds with 2-0, while the surprising French 'Team Energy' defeated the Swedish 'Artemis' (Terry Hutchinson USA) also with 2-0. The report of the day.
Friday, 18. November 2011 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
A thick fog that enveloped San Diego Bay burned off by mid-morning, allowing a light 7-10 knot sea breeze to build. But by early afternoon, the fog settled in again, dropping the temperature and keeping the wind light and shifty in the bay. The selection of the fourth semi-final team was made in a series of matchraces among the six remaining teams. In the last duel between 'Team Aleph' (Pierre Pennec FRA helmsman, Arnaud Psarofaghis SUI wing trimmer) and 'Artemis' (Terry Hutchinson USA/Ian Percy GBR), the decision was in favour of 'Artemis'. The Swedes will encounter 'Team Energy' (Yann Guichard FRA), 'Emirates Team New Zealand' (Dean Barker NZL) sails against 'Oracle Racing' (James Spithill AUS). The matches will be covered live this evening UCT on the Internet. The report of the day.
Thursday, 17. November 2011 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
The seabreeze filled in early yesterday for the opening races of the AC-World Series in San Diego, and the three fleet-races were completed in a 8-13 kn wind according to program. With the ranks 5/3/1, the multihull-experienced new helmsman of 'Team Energy', Yann Guichard FRA (Tornado, F18, Alinghi Décision-35 and Xtreme-40), for the first time on an AC-45, took the lead, one point ahead of 'Emirates Team New Zealand' (Dean Barker NZL). James Spithill AUS ('Oracle Racing') is 3rd, thanks to impressive comebacks after bad starts. These three teams are qualified for the match-race semi-finals tomorrow. The forth qualifier will be determined in today's three fleetraces. For the time being, 'Artemis' (Terry Hutchinson USA) is on rank 4, three points ahead of 'Team Korea' (Chris Draper GBR) 5th. The fastest in the 500 meter speed-contest was 'Emirates Team New Zealand' with 21,22 kn. The report and the videos.
Wednesday, 16. November 2011 (Image © Christophe Favreau)
Today at 21 hrs UTC, the start to the first fleetraces of the AC World Series in San Diego will be given. Racing takes place in the long-stretched natural harbour of San Diego. Considering the performance demonstrated so far, it is again 'Emirates Team New Zealand' who will be the favorite. Russell Coutts NZL will not be racing, as he leaves the helm of his 'Oracle Racing' catamaran to Darren Bundock AUS, the double Olympic and multiple Tornado World Champion. The races can again be followed live on the Internet. The official preview.
Tuesday, 15. November 2011 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
After the Port Cities Challenge of the past weekend, the team did not leave out any possibility to be afloat for training and tuning hours yesterday, and today will - no doubt - be the same. Thanks to the lighter breeze, the performance of the different team is more levelled, as all teams have now switched from a survival to a sailing mode style. However, 'Emirates Team New Zealand' with Dean Barker NZL remains the team to beat, although some new race winners showed up over the weekend such as Team China' (Charlie Ogletree USA), 'Aleph' (Pierre Pennec FRA) and 'Team Energy' (Loďck Peyron FRA). The Vorschau auf die morgen beginnenden Fleet Races.
Monday, 14. November 2011 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
The sun was out on day two in San Diego and with this, a 10-12 kn seabreeze filled the harbour 'stadium' allowing to complete the Cities Challenge with three heats. Finishing twice on rank 2, 'Emirates Team New Zealand' with Dean Barker NZL was the overall winner in the very leveled fleet, followed by James Spithill AUS ('Oracle Racing') and 'Artemis Racing' with Terry Hutchinson USA. Realising its first race win, the French 'Aleph'-Team with the new helmsman Pierre Pennec FRA jumped on rank 5. The results, the report and the video-report of the day.
Sunday, 13. November 2011 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
Rain and difficult light wind prevailed on day one of the 'Port Cities Challenge', the tune-up race for th AC World Series and created tricky conditions and shortened the program. In race one, the luck was on 'Artemis' (Terry Hutchinson USA) und 'Team New Zealand's (Dean Barker NZL) side who came back on top from far behind on the last upwind beat. Winner of the second race was 'Team China' with Charlie Ogletree USA. In the overall rankings, 'Team New Zealand' and 'Artemis' are tied on the first place ahead of 'Team China' and 'Oracle-Racing Coutts' one point behind. The report of the day and the video of the day.
Saturday, 12. November 2011 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
The America's Cup World Series continues in San Diego today with the 'Cities Series', a competition outside of the overall AC Series rankings. Three fleet races to be sailed in the narrow natural harbour of San Diego are on the program today and tomorrow. As from Wednesday, the World Series Races will begin. Contrary to the windy Plymouth GBR event, San Diego will most probably be sailed in a lighter breeze. The races can be followed live on the Internet from 21 hrs UCT on. The official preview.
Thursday, 3. November 2011 (Image © Lloyd Images)
The Circolo della Vela Sicilia of Palermo and the team Luna Rossa Challenge 2013 announce that their Notice of Challenge for the 34th America's Cup, which will be held at San Francisco in September 2013, has been accepted by the Golden Gate Yacht Club. To catch up the delay, the Italians, sponsored by Prada with 40 Mio €uros, have signed a cooperation agreement with Emirates Team New Zealand until December 2012, which includes full access to all ETNZ design and performance data for this period. The hulls for the Luna Rossa AC72' will be built in Italy and all other elements will be built in New Zealand in close cooperation with Emirates Team New Zealand.
Luna Rossa's 2012 programme includes the opening of a base in Auckland (New Zealand) for the joint training, the participation in all events of the America's Cup World Series (ACWS) with the AC 45' wing catamarans and the launch of the AC 72' wing catamaran for the America's Cup.
The report.
Luna Rossa's 2012 programme includes the opening of a base in Auckland (New Zealand) for the joint training, the participation in all events of the America's Cup World Series (ACWS) with the AC 45' wing catamarans and the launch of the AC 72' wing catamaran for the America's Cup.
The report.
Monday, 24. October 2011
Stan Honey, Director of Technology for the 34th America's Cup (AC34) and John Craig, Principal Race Officer (PRO) for AC34 talked to members of the San Francisco Yacht Club last week, reviewing the World Series events in Cascais and Plymouth and explaining the technology they're using in their jobs - technology which is changing the way that races are being run and facilitating better than ever accuracy in umpiring, and for the viewer of the sport, making races easier and more interesting to watch across different platforms. A must-read report in Michelle Slade's 'SailBlast'.
Monday, 19. September 2011 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
'Oracle Racing' Spithill won the Plymouth Fleet Racing Championship after an action-packed final day of the America's Cup World Series in south-west England. Crowds on Plymouth Hoe were treated to thrills and spills, capsizes and collisions, as well as some great racing on a blustery Sunday. 'Team China' (Andreas Hagara AUT), 'Energy Team' (Loďck Peyron FRA) und 'Artemis' (Terry Hutchinson USA) capsized. 'GreenComm Challenge' (Vasilij Zbogar SLO) abandoned after a collision. With boats touching speeds in excess of 50 km/h, it was a wild ride, and while the Kiwis battled hard with the two 'Oracle' boats, Spithill moved clear on the final lap and Dean Barker had to satisfy himself with 2nd place ahead of Russell Coutts, but the overall win of the World Series was 'Team New Zealand's. "Today it was racing and survival,” said Barker. Great spectacle and show for the public for sure, but is the the future of sailing ? The report with videao.
Sunday, 18. September 2011 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
'Emirates Team New Zealand' with Dean Barker NZL defeated 'Team Korea' with Chris Draper GBR yesterday in the final of the Match Race World Series off Plymouth GBR. The surprising Korean team - extremely happy about the outstanding performance, despite of the final defeat - eliminated the favorite 'Artemis Racing' with Terry Hutchinson USA in the semi final. In the petit final, 'Artemis' was the winner over Russell Coutts NZL on 'Oracle'.
Today, the last fleetrace is on the program. The report.
Today, the last fleetrace is on the program. The report.
Saturday, 17. September 2011 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
The first Match-Race-day of the Plymouth World Series ended with some surprises. With three wins in a row, in the final match also against James Spithill AUS, 'Oracle', 'Team Korea' with Chris Draper GBR qualified for today's semi-final. The Koreans will meet 'Artemis Racing' with Terry Hutchinson USA, winner of the seeding round and therefore directly qualifed for the semis. The second semi-final has already been completed with 'Emirates Team New Zealand' with Dean Barker NZL defeating 'Oracle' with Russell Coutts NZL. The report.
Friday, 16. September 2011 (Image © Guilain Grenier)
Three more fleetraces were sailed yesterday, and the final rankings will be used for the matchrace seedings today. In a 15 kn breeze, it was again 'Artemis' with Terry Hutchinson USA, day ranks 1/1/2, leading the fleet, followed by 'Emirates Team New Zealand' (Dean Barker NZL) and 'Oracle' (Russell Coutts NZL). Solid also 'Energy' with Loďck Peyron FRA on the 4th place. James Spithill AUS remains on rank5. The results and the report of the day.
Thursday, 15. September 2011 (Image © Guilain Grenier)
Contrary to the survival-mode racing over the past weekend, the conditions were moderate yesterday for the first three fleetraces of the World-Series, and the fleet is now more lleveled. 'Artemis' with Terry Hutchinson USA steering and Ian Percy GBR as tactician took the lead with two race wins, closely followed by 'Team New Zealand' and 'Team Korea'. Surprisingly, the two 'Oracle' cats are only on the ranks 5 and 6 for the moment. The rankings and the report of the day.
Wednesday, 14. September 2011 (Image © Ricardo Pinto)
After the first preparatory regattas of the last weekend, the competition will go on today with a modified program. The fleet races will continue, and the rankings will be used for the seeding of the matchraces of Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, another fleetrace will be added. The breeze should be rather moderate during the coming days. In yesterday's training, 'Team China' joined the capsize club with a major damage of the wing sail. But repairs should be completed over night and the Chinese team with Andreas Hagara AUT steering is expected in the race today. The video and a preview.
Monday, 12. September 2011 (Image © Guilain Grenier)
Sun, 30 kn breeze, three capsizes - the only race of the day was full of excitement for the spectators ! Most of the teams are still missing the skills to handle the boats under these circumstances, and very slow tacks, hazardous bear aways and near capsizes were the rule causing major position changes. James Spithill AUS, 'Oracle Racing', had the upper hand at the end of the day, ahead of 'Emirates Team New Zealand', who - with the second rank - is the overall winner of the fleetrace Plymouth Pre-Series. 'Aleph' with Bertrand Pacé FRA and 'Team Korea' with Chris Draper GBR suffered capsizes when bearing away from the weather mark. 'GreenComm Challenge' with Vasilij Zbogar SLO was overthrown by a gust a few yards from the finish line, but the Spanish team succeeded to right the cat and finish the race.
The teams have now two days off to prepare for the Matchrace Series lasting until next Saturday. The results, the report and the video-highlights of yesterday.
The teams have now two days off to prepare for the Matchrace Series lasting until next Saturday. The results, the report and the video-highlights of yesterday.
Sunday, 11. September 2011
The 30 kn breeze at the start of the first race gradually diminished to 15-18 kn during the competition at the America's Cup World Series in Plymouth GBR yesterday. Three 20-minutes short races and the 500 m speed contest were on the program. As already in Cascais, 'Oracle Racing' with Russell Coutts NZL was the winner with a 24 kn average, not an exciting speed however. 'Team New Zealand' with Dean Barker NZL dominated the fleet races with two race wins. Bad luck for James Spithill AUS, whose 'Oracle Racing' was hindered by a spectator boat when leading in race 3. Spithill is third in the interims rankings behind 'Artemis Racing' with Terry Hutchinson USA. 'Team Aleph' with Bertrand Pacé FRA steering is 4th. The race was followed by almost 10'000 persons sitting on the cliffs of Plymouth. Racing will continue today at 14 hrs GMT and can be followed live on the Internet. The daily report and the results.
Saturday, 10. September 2011 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
Three short races and the Speed-Contest are on the program of day one of the AC World Series off Plymouth. A 25-30 kn breeze has been announced, a thrilling platform for the presentation of the spectacular AC-45s to the public on the Plymouth Cliffs' grandstand and the spectators at the Internet, where the Live-coverage is scheduled for 14 hrs GMT. The preview.
Friday, 9. September 2011
The second Act of the America's Cup World Series begins tomorrow off Plymouth GBR. In the time since the first Act, all teams have had the opportunity to get more acquainted with the very special 45-foot- wing-cats, and the Plymouth event promises therefore to bring closer racing, especially taking into account that tactical skills will be of importance to best manage the strong tide current. However, the breeze will be around 20-30 kn in the coming days, which is the upper limit for the overcharged cats. 'Team China' (new with Andreas Hagara AUT) and 'Team Aleph' (new with Bertrand Pacé) have changed their helmsmen. 'Green Comm Challenge' enhanced the team with two additional Finn sailors - Ivan Klijakovic CRO and Jonathan Lobert FRA - to the helmsman Vasilij Zbogar SLO and Ed Wright GBR. The favorite in Plymouth will be the 'Team New Zealand', winner of Act 1 at Cascais. The races will be covered live over the Internet to be linked in on the event-website.
Tuesday, 6. September 2011 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
The second Act of the America's Cup World Series will begin on the coming weekend at Plymouth GBR. For a few days, some of the teams have seized the opportunity for trainings. The Spanish 'GreenComm Racing'-Team with the double Olympic medalist Vasilij Zbogar SLO steering enjoyed its first capsize yesterday during a fresh breeze exercise. The video.
Tuesday, 6. September 2011
After Cascais POR, Plymouth GBR and San Diego USA, Venice ITA will be among the organisers of the America's Cup World Series next year. May 2012 is the planned date for the famous historical city of lagoons. The report.
Friday, 2. September 2011
After the first experiences at the Cascais POR America's Cup World Series event, 'Team China' already modified the afterguard. They separated from Mitch Booth AUS/NED and hired two other Tornado-specialists: The Olympian Charlie Ogletree USA is the new skipper and team manager, Andreas Hagara AUT, Tornado Olympic Champion, will be the new helmsman. The report.
Monday, 15. August 2011 (Image © Chris Cameron)
An irregular breeze with many lulls prevailed yesterday during the last regatta of the Cascais AC World Series Act, a fleet race, again won by the 'Emirates Team New Zealand' with Dean Barker NZL after many position changes. 'Artemis Racing' with Terry Hutchinson USA finished 2nd, 'Oracle Racing' with James Spithill AUS, leading during the major part of the race, had to content themselves with rank 3. The report.
Sunday, 14. August 2011
Defeating Dean Barker's 'Emirates Team New Zealand' 2-0, James Spithill AUS, 'Oracle Racing', are the overall winners of the Match-Race-part of the World Series off Cascais. Despite 'easy' moderate winds, the Kiwis lost twice the lead because of Gennaker-handling-problems, leaving the final win to the Cup Defender. With Terry Hutchinson USA on 'Artemis Racing' on rank 3, these three teams will most probably also be the ones to be favoured in the coming months and the Cup. The report. Today, the fleetracing part of the event will be decided in one single race.
Saturday, 13. August 2011
On day three, again with rather moderate winds, the qualifications for the final matchrace round of the six best-ranked teams were completed. In addition to 'Emirates Team New Zealand', winning for the third time in three days defeating the AC-Cupholder 'Oracle Racing' with James Spithill USA this time, 'Artemis Racing' (Terry Hutchinson USA), 'Oracle Racing' (Russell Coutts NZL), 'Team Energy' (Loďck Peyron FRA) and 'Team Korea' (Chris Draper GBR) will remain in the competition. The report of the day.
Friday, 12. August 2011
The breeze off Cascais remained unusually light on day two of the World Series and the Race Officers decided to relocate the course further out on the seas in the Bay of Cascais, leaving the much appraised 'stadium' for the spectators behind. After the three fleetraces, 'Artemis Racing' and once more 'Emirates Team New Zealand' were on top of the rankings. In a Match-Race Final, the Kiwi with Dean Barker NZL were again the winner defeating Terry Hutchinson USA, adding another win. The report of the day..
Thursday, 11. August 2011 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
After the preliminaries over the past weekend, the first round of the America's Cup World Series began with three Fleet Races, and the two best ranked 'Team New Zealand' (Dean Barker NZL) and 'Oracle' (James Spithill AUS) met for a matchrace to determine the winner of the day. In a rather light breeze, the duel was surprisingly exciting with many position changes and finally Dean Barker NZL as winner. The report and the videos.
Monday, 8. August 2011 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
In moderate 6 - 15 kn conditions, the fleetrace part of the Cascais Preliminairies was terminated with a 'long' 40 minutes' race without the expected big breeze spectacle. Team 'Oracle Racing' Coutts were the winners followed by 'Team New Zealand', the overall winners of the fleetraces. The Speed-trials over 500 meters afterwards were also won by the Kiwis, who realised a 42 km/h run in their forth attempt. On the ranks 2 and 3 follow 'Team China' and 'Team Korea'. The event-website with the results and the videos of the day.
Two days off follow now and on Wednesday, matchracing will begin.
Two days off follow now and on Wednesday, matchracing will begin.
Sunday, 7. August 2011 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
The overcast sky and light winds around 6 kn were just right for the 9 teams at the first event of the America's Cup Series 2011 leading up to the Cup in 2013 to get accustomed to the boats in very soft conditions. Spectator-wise, this initial competition did not yet attract a big crowd.
As expected, the teams with the highest training mileage on this equipment - 'Team New Zealand' (Dean Barker NZL), 'Artemis Racing' (Terry Hutchinson USA) and 'Oracle Racing' (Russell Coutts NZL und James Spithill AUS) - are in the lead. 'Team Korea' with Chris Draper GBR follows on rank 5, the French teams 'Energy Team' (Loďck Peyron FRA) and 'Aleph' (Bertrand Pacé FRA) are on the positions 7 and 8. The event-website contains video replay possibilities to watch the roughly 20 minutes' races again. The live-broadcast today - hopefully with better commentating - will most probably be much more spectacular, as the weather forecast announces a breeze exceeding 20 kn. Today a long-distance race and a speed contest are on the program.
As expected, the teams with the highest training mileage on this equipment - 'Team New Zealand' (Dean Barker NZL), 'Artemis Racing' (Terry Hutchinson USA) and 'Oracle Racing' (Russell Coutts NZL und James Spithill AUS) - are in the lead. 'Team Korea' with Chris Draper GBR follows on rank 5, the French teams 'Energy Team' (Loďck Peyron FRA) and 'Aleph' (Bertrand Pacé FRA) are on the positions 7 and 8. The event-website contains video replay possibilities to watch the roughly 20 minutes' races again. The live-broadcast today - hopefully with better commentating - will most probably be much more spectacular, as the weather forecast announces a breeze exceeding 20 kn. Today a long-distance race and a speed contest are on the program.
Saturday, 6. August 2011
The preparation time for the first act of the AC-World Series - very short for most of the teams - ended yesterday with three tune-up races, all won by the superior 'Team New Zealand' with Dean Barker NZL. Today at 15 hrs CET, the first fleetraces will be started, covered live on the Internet, followed by a 500 meter speed contest.
With the two-times Moth-European Champion Arnaud Psarofaghis SUI, a Swiss is on board of the French 'Team Aleph' ov Bertrand Pacé FRA. Arnaud can count on his multihull experiences in the Décision-35 circuit on Lake Geneva. The report.
With the two-times Moth-European Champion Arnaud Psarofaghis SUI, a Swiss is on board of the French 'Team Aleph' ov Bertrand Pacé FRA. Arnaud can count on his multihull experiences in the Décision-35 circuit on Lake Geneva. The report.
Friday, 5. August 2011 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
The America's Cup World Series clash with the Extreme Sailing Series with the same format, and two of the AC Challengers, 'Artemis Racing' and 'Team New Zealand' even participating in both events. Tomorrow is the first event of this AC-45-catamaran circuit off Cascais. The participation is compulsary for all seven AC Challengers. The Defender 'Oracle Racing' is present with two teams. The courses close to the shore with shifty and puffy 15 - 30 kn winds coming from land will be a big challenge, especially for the new teams with no experience with these special racing machines. A big spectacle - capsizes and collision included - can be expected. At a press conference, the nine skippers explained their expectations as from tomorrow. The video. The AC-World-Series-Regattas can also be followed online live on the Internet as from 14 hours CET.
Monday, 25. July 2011 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
After 'Mascalzone Latino', the second Italian syndicat 'Venezia Challenge' has announced to withdraw from the Cup due to lack of finances. Seven challenger remain and Italy, one of the few nations where the America's Cup had a certain popularity, will not be represented for the first time in 20 years (exception 2010). The report.
In 12 days, the first round of the America's Cup World Series begins in the mostly windy Cascais POR. The inshore course chosen for a maximum spectator exposure is infamous for its gusty winds from the shore. Capsizes will probably be normal business to be dealt with. A first sample has already been given by 'Team Korea' capsizing on Saturday without evident damage or injuries. The report.
In 12 days, the first round of the America's Cup World Series begins in the mostly windy Cascais POR. The inshore course chosen for a maximum spectator exposure is infamous for its gusty winds from the shore. Capsizes will probably be normal business to be dealt with. A first sample has already been given by 'Team Korea' capsizing on Saturday without evident damage or injuries. The report.
Monday, 18. July 2011 (Image © Andrew Palfrey)
'Our team has been training on our AC45 here in Valencia for a week now. I went out yesterday and joined them onboard in 18-22 knots of wind. It was quite a ride! 27 knots was the top speed of the day and 20-24 knots is normal downwind speed in those conditions.' Read Paul Cayards report on his first AC45 experiences. (And for all the ivory-tower ISAF responsibles for Olympic events: Give special attention to Paul's remarks re the Starboat!)
Tuesday, 5. July 2011
The new americascup.com website has just been launch that will give home not only to the AC organisers but also to all nine teams. This new website is an organic and growing entity with new features, more languages and additional sections to be opened the next three years, and even in the weeks leading up to the first America's Cup World Series event in Cascais, Portugal in August. Interactive coverage of the live racing will also begin at Cascais on August 6th. in the meantime, here is a americascup.com to get you started.
Tuesday, 5. July 2011
The Regatta Director has issued the dates and format for the Louis Vuitton Cup, the America's Cup Challenger Series. To take place in 2013, the objective of the challenger series is to both build and identify the strongest possible challenger to meet the defender in the America's Cup Finals. The next Louis Vuitton Cup will consist of five stages, all of the challengers will participate in at least the first three, before eliminations begin. The first day of racing for the Louis Vuitton Cup will be July 4th, 2013 (changed from July 13th). The last possible day of racing will be September 1. More ...
Friday, 24. June 2011
On a press conference yesterday, the Real Club Nautico Valencia announced to challenge the America's Cup with the 'GreenComm Racing Team'. Already in July, the AC45-catamaran will be delivered and the team will participate in the first AC World Series event in Cascais in August. Team boss is Francesco De Leo ITA, the Sports Director is Luca Devoti ITA. The report.
Thursday, 16. June 2011 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
The organisers' silence after the expiry of the entry deadline end of March lead to the assumption that the number of challenger for 34th America's Cup had been drastically reduced. 7 of the orginal 14 applications have been confirmed yesterday Wednesday. Teams representing China, France (with two teams), Italy, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Sweden and USA made their first appearance together in the host city of the 2013 America's Cup at a press conference where organizers introduced the line-up. A ninth team will be announced at a press conference on June 23rd in Europe. 'Artemis Racing', the two government supported teams 'Emirates Team New Zealand' and 'China Team', the Italian 'Venezia Challenge', 'Team Korea' and the two French syndicats 'Aleph' and 'Energy' remain as challengers for the US 'Oracle Racing' team. The report.
Wednesday, 15. June 2011 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
We reported yesterday on the swim Russel Coutts and his team took during last weekends press exhibition races. Now the Video is available !
Friday, 10. June 2011 (Image © pressure-drop.us)
Yesterday, the America's Cup defender 'Oracle Racing' was for the first time out on the home water with two new AC45-wing-sail-catamarans. According to the first photos, this first sail-out on the Frisco Bay was not too windy.
Wednesday, 1. June 2011
The competitors in the 2013 America's Cup met by teleconference yesterday. The meeting broke up without any decisions being reached - partially explained by the fact that the international group was working across various time zones - and for some it was the early hours of the morning.
The meeting is understood to have lasted a couple of hours and was not acrimonious. Details in Richard Gladwell's report in Sail World.
The meeting is understood to have lasted a couple of hours and was not acrimonious. Details in Richard Gladwell's report in Sail World.
Wednesday, 1. June 2011
Today Wednesday, the America's Cup Race Management did not hesitate to update on the the content of the phone conference held with the AC competitors yesterday on the official ACM website. Modifications re the program, timing, financing and other duties have been agreed on. A press conference will be held in San Francisco on June 15 to introduce the teams and discuss the updated program for the 34th America's Cup.
Wednesday, 18. May 2011
After the retirement of the initial AC 34 Challenger of Record Club Nautico di Roma (CNR) with Vincenzo Onorato ITA and his 'Mascalzone Latino Team' last week due to lack of money, the Royal Swedish Yacht Club (Kungliga Svenska Segel Sällskapet, KSSS) represented by 'Artemis Racing' of Torbjörn Tornquist SWE was announced as the new CoR, as expected. The report.
Friday, 13. May 2011
'Mascalzone Latino', the Challenger of Record accepted by 'Oracle' (responsible to take care of the interests of the challengers ....!) announced yesterday in a communiqué the withdrawal from the 34th America's Cup. Lacking the necessary sponsor money, the team boss Vincenzo Onorato ITA does not see a chance to lead a successfull campaign. In addition to the defender 'Oracle Racing', only three syndicats seem to have the necessary funding: 'Artemis Racing' with the Swedish oil tycoon Torbjörn Thorquist, the government supported 'Team China' and 'Emirates New Zealand' with a solid sponsor group and government support. These four teams are actually in serious preparations to start at the America's Cup World Series beginning in August.
Tuesday, 3. May 2011
Many critics mentioned that with the change to the 72-foot wing catamarans, these multihulls would split courses and loose contact because of the high speeds, making a thrilling live observation of the races impossible. A technological solution based on GPS will be the answer: boats approaching a virtual side line will be alerted and penalised if they exceed the limits of the playing ground. An article in Yachtingworld.
Thursday, 7. April 2011
One of the four teams registering on the last day of the entry deadline comes from Asia. For the first time in its 160-year history, a challenge has been made by a South Korean Yacht Club for the America's Cup. The Sail Korea Yacht Club, represented by Team Korea, has been officially accepted as a challenger for the 34th America's Cup. Team Korea will be known as the 'White Tiger Challenge'. In launching Team Korea, it is intended to boost public interest for the America's Cup and to attract new people to take up sailing. In a first step, the syndicate hopes that the announcement will attract sponsors to finance this challenge. The report.
Saturday, 2. April 2011
On March 31, entry deadline for the 34th America's Cup, to be held in September 2013 in San Francisco, some more participants lodged their applications with the organisers. In addition to 'Team China' - we reported earlier - Venezia Challenge, a second Italian challenger intends to join. The origins of the other challengers have not yet been disclosd. The number of entries is higher than the participation in the last two America's Cups, but it remains open to see, how many of them will be able to find the money to be present on the starting line in 2013.
At the same time, three venues of the 2011 AC World Series to be sailed on the smaller AC45-wing catamarans, have been announced. The first event in August will be held at Cascais POR, followed by Plymouth GBR (September) and San Diego USA. The report.
At the same time, three venues of the 2011 AC World Series to be sailed on the smaller AC45-wing catamarans, have been announced. The first event in August will be held at Cascais POR, followed by Plymouth GBR (September) and San Diego USA. The report.
Tuesday, 29. March 2011
Yesterday, Team China - one of the three undisclosed teams among the ten entries that have currently been submitted. - has confirmed that it intends to participate as challenger in the 34th Americas's Cup. The report. Nine challengers have paid the entry fee of US$ 200'000 so far. The number of real starters cannot be predicted at this moment. The entry deadline is on Thursday, March 31. In an interview with the French journal 'Voiles & Voiliers', Bernard Pacé FRA, Team 'Aleph', with indicated, that until today, only three teams has a committed budget available to really participate in 2013.
Friday, 25. March 2011
One week before the entry deadline, two more challengers have registered for the 34th America's Cup, according to the organisors. The names will be published within the next days. This means, that currently 9 challengers plan to compete with the defending 'Oracle Racing'. The report.
Sunday, 20. March 2011 (Image © Gilles Martin Raget)
The first AC45-catamaran, the mandatory start-up training boat for all registered challengers, has been delivered one month ago, and the teams are taking all opportunities to get acquainted. The first team to have two wing-cats available is the Cup defender 'Oracle-Racing' and last week, they were out for the first two-boats tests. The video and the report.
Thursday, 17. March 2011
'Team New Zealand' has officially confirmed its participation at the 34th America's Cup challenge. On the occasion of the first tests with the AC45-wing-catamaran in Auckland, the Team-boss Grant Dalton NZL announced that the entry fee had been paid, but the Team will only participate if the financing is such, that there exists a fair chance to race for victory. Shortly before, the sponsoring agreement with the Emirates Airlines had been renewed. The report.
Tuesday, 1. March 2011 (Image © Oracle Racing)
The 115-foot America'Cup-winning trimaran 'BMW-Oracle' has finally reached her 'home-port' San Francisco yesterday morning after a long sea-transport from Valencia. She will be presented to the public as attraction in view of the forthcoming America's Cup Challenge. Whether this 'moster' will be sailed again remains open. The multihull worth some millions of dollars has only been sailed in the two America's Cup matches against 'Alinghi'. The report.
Tuesday, 22. February 2011
With final venue bids under review, the America's Cup Event Authority (ACEA) released the inaugural America's Cup World Series (AC World Series) dates. The first half of the AC World Series will consist of five nine-day regattas in 2011, finishing up with three more regattas by mid-2012. The winning host cities for the 2011-2012 AC World Series will be revealed in the coming weeks.
The 2012-2013 season will be sailed in the larger and faster America's Cup boats, the AC72, and its champion will be crowned just prior to the start of the Louis Vuitton Cup (America's Cup Challenger Series) in July 2013. This AC World Series will also enable all teams seeking to compete in the America's Cup Finals in September 2013 to be race-ready for the AC72. The communiqué.
The 2012-2013 season will be sailed in the larger and faster America's Cup boats, the AC72, and its champion will be crowned just prior to the start of the Louis Vuitton Cup (America's Cup Challenger Series) in July 2013. This AC World Series will also enable all teams seeking to compete in the America's Cup Finals in September 2013 to be race-ready for the AC72. The communiqué.
Tuesday, 22. February 2011
The formally registered America's Cup challengers have been given the opportunity to test the AC45 wing-mast catamaran prototype off Auckland during the past weeks. Last week, it was 'Artemis' turn, who were the first to capsize the AC multihull. It wasn't even a spectacular wipeout at 30 knots, but the team was taking a break after the three hour training session and repaired something on the roller furler. The boat got hit with a gust from about 10 degrees off to one side and the boat slowly rolled over. No one was hurt and the boat was back at the dock within two hours. The report by Paul Cayard USA and the sail-world.com report.
Thursday, 17. February 2011
The receipt of an eighth entry for the 34th America's Cup in 2013 was confirmed yesterday. The official announcement by the team is expected soon. This seventh challenger for the America's Cup joins ranks with Aleph (France), Artemis Racing (Sweden), Energy Team (France), Mascalzone Latino (Italy), Team Australia, and one undisclosed team. The United States' ORACLE Racing, vying to Defend the Cup, is the eighth entrant. The Communiqué.
Thursday, 10. February 2011
As pre-announced last week, a press conference was held yesterday Wednesday morning in Paris, where Bruno Peyron outlined the details of the 'Energy Team', the sixth challenger for the 34th America's Cup. Loďck Peyron joined live from the Southern Ocean where he is currently leading the fleet in the Barcelona World Race around the world. This challenge is backed by the prestigious Yacht Club de France. The construction of the first AC72 multihull will begin at the Multiplast yard in Vannes on the 1st September. After the announcement last September that the America's Cup was to be raced aboard multihulls, the Peyron brothers announced that they wanted to bring French know-how together to set up a Challenge to attempt to win the prestigious trophy. That is exactly what they have now achieved with exclusive rights with the most experienced multihull constructors and joining a bunch of top mulithull sailors such as Yann Guichard FRA, Jean-Christophe Mourniac FRA or Yves Loday FRA. On September 1, the construction of the first AC72-catamaran will be started. In total, the team has 17 multis at its disposal for training purposes, such as A-Cat, D35, X40, G-Class (the former Orange II), AC45, AC72s... plus four "F25s", which are a 1/3 scale model of the AC72s. A real high potential team with fair chances to bring the Cup back to Europe. The report.
Sunday, 6. February 2011 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
Considering the vast multihull tradition in France, it is not a surprise, that a second French team is demonstrating interest to challenge 'Oracle' in 2013. After 'Team Aleph', a second French syndicat under the auspicies of the Yacht Club de France has registered for the 34th America's Cup. Details will be presented next Wednesday in Paris. Helmsman and team are not yet known, but there are a number of very skilled multihull sailors and matchracers available such as the former AC-helmsman Philippe Presti FRA who showed up at the A-Cat worlds in Australia some days ago. The report.
Friday, 4. February 2011
As Challenger of Record of the 34th America's Cup jointly with the Club Nautico di Roma (CNR), Vincenzo Onorato ITA, team boss of 'Mascalzone Latino', strongly supported the major changes proposed by 'Oracle' to modernise the Cup. But at present, the Italian syndicate is without sponsors. In an interview, Onorato admits that he would quit if, in the next few months, the economic resources to make my team competitive would not be found.
Tuesday, 1. February 2011 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
As specified in the Protocol of the 34th America's Cup, the organisers announced yesterday the race area for the Cup matches in the San Francisco Bay according to schedule. The communiqué.
Continuing the AC45 wing cat tests, James Spithill AUS and his team participated in the Auckland 'Ocean Bridge Regatta', a race organised since 1840 and herewith considerably older than the America's Cup. Strong winds, in gusts over 30 kn, were an excellent test field for the wing sail catamaran. Except some minor damages at the wind, the AC45 seems to be quite storm-worthy. The report.
Continuing the AC45 wing cat tests, James Spithill AUS and his team participated in the Auckland 'Ocean Bridge Regatta', a race organised since 1840 and herewith considerably older than the America's Cup. Strong winds, in gusts over 30 kn, were an excellent test field for the wing sail catamaran. Except some minor damages at the wind, the AC45 seems to be quite storm-worthy. The report.
Wednesday, 26. January 2011
The 2013 race dates for the Louis Vuitton Cup and America's Cup Match (Finals) were confirmed yesterday by Regatta Director Iain Murray. More on the
official AC website.
official AC website.
Monday, 24. January 2011 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
The former Alinghi-member Murray Jones NZL reports on his first impressions sailing the America's-Cup test catamaran AC45 in an interview. Apparently, the multihull with the wing mast is much easier to handle than an ordinary soft-sail cat.
Friday, 21. January 2011
'Oracle Racing' CEO Russell Coutts is in Florida sailing an RC 44 at Key West Race Week, which is where he found time to speak with respected American sailing journalist Stuart Streuli about the future of the America's Cup and the 'Oracle Racing' team. The extensive interview very worthwhile listening to.
Thursday, 20. January 2011
James Spithill AUS and his team tested the new AC45 wing-mast catamaran yesterday on the Hauraki Bay for the second time, and this in a 20-25 kn breeze with gusts even higher. Sailing was not a major problem but rigging the wing mast in the harbour was not so easy. The report.
Wednesday, 19. January 2011 (Image © Michelle Slade)
The America's Cup is a top priority for the new San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee as he declared at a press conference held at the end of Pier 27. Michelle Slade reports in her Sail Blast.
Another much applauded move is the hiring of John Craig (St Francis YC) as Principal Race Officer by the America's Cup Race Management. Michelle Slade published an extensive interview with Craig. See also the comment of Kimball Livingston on the same subject (scroll down enjoying at the same time some nice pics from the Key West RW and the AC45 lauching).
Another much applauded move is the hiring of John Craig (St Francis YC) as Principal Race Officer by the America's Cup Race Management. Michelle Slade published an extensive interview with Craig. See also the comment of Kimball Livingston on the same subject (scroll down enjoying at the same time some nice pics from the Key West RW and the AC45 lauching).
Tuesday, 18. January 2011
More images and a video clip taken by TV New Zealand have been published in the mean-time since the maiden voyage of the new AC-45 wing mast catamaran (we informed yesterday). A [www.sail-world.com/Europe/index.cfm?SEID=2&Nid=79256&SRCID=0&ntid=118&tickeruid=0&tickerCID=0]report[/url] in Sail World.
Monday, 17. January 2011 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
Everybody on the new multihull and ashore was enthusiastic about the new 'junior' America's Cup boat. Thanks to the wing mast, the cat reached top speeds above 20 kn in a 8-10 kn breeze, and - according to James Spithill, the wing sail is so much quicker to unload (depower) than a main – with the wing its instant. The report.
Sunday, 16. January 2011 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
Part of the lead up to the 34th America's Cup will be a world tour with the newly designed AC-45 wing mast multihull starting in the second half of 2011 where all syndicats can acquire skills with this new technology. Yesterday, the prototype of this new cat was launched in Auckland NZL. Photos by Gilles Martin-Raget.
Friday, 14. January 2011
Want to know a little bit more about the America's Cup Defender? Michelle Slade published in her Sailing in Marin blog an interview with Marcus Young, the past-Commodore of the GGYC.
Thursday, 13. January 2011
America's Cup event organizers have confirmed the sixth entry for the 34th America's Cup in 2013. The official announcement by the team is expected soon. This sixth entry joins previously announced challenges from Italy ('Mascalzone Latino'), France ('ALEPH'), and Sweden ('Artemis Racing'). A fourth challenger has been accepted but has yet to disclosed any details of its entry, According to rumours, it is the Russian syndicate 'Synergy'. These challengers come in addition to 'Oracle Racing' from the United States as the Defender.
Positive signals arrived from New Zealand lately. While helmsman Dean Barker NZL had a strong debut in the A-Cat multihulls, the team boss Grant Dalton NZL welcomed the choice of San Franciscos as venue. The report.
Positive signals arrived from New Zealand lately. While helmsman Dean Barker NZL had a strong debut in the A-Cat multihulls, the team boss Grant Dalton NZL welcomed the choice of San Franciscos as venue. The report.
Thursday, 13. January 2011
Latitude38 has published an extensive Frequently Asked Questions article worthwhile reading to be aware of the facts (exept the entries, where Team NZL has already been included which is not (yet?) the case)
Monday, 10. January 2011
Yes, it is San Francisco, with the promise that the America's Cup sailing race would be held in a natural arena, giving millions of people the chance to see the multimillion-dollar yachts race past Alcatraz and the Transamerica Pyramid. The first-draft version of the race route shows just how central the race would be. Read more .....
But the AC Defender with Tom Ehman, the External Affairs responsible of Oracle, is not idling, as he traveled to Rhode Island this week with "two asks”: Could the state be ready to host an America's Cup World Series event this September and could the state be the Cup's backup plan for the final Match races in 2013 if, for any reason, the deal with San Francisco falls apart? Here a report.
But the AC Defender with Tom Ehman, the External Affairs responsible of Oracle, is not idling, as he traveled to Rhode Island this week with "two asks”: Could the state be ready to host an America's Cup World Series event this September and could the state be the Cup's backup plan for the final Match races in 2013 if, for any reason, the deal with San Francisco falls apart? Here a report.
Thursday, 6. January 2011
The America’s Cup Event Authority (ACAE), the organization tasked with running the 34th edition, yesterday announced its on-shore plans for the Challenger Selection Series for the Louis Vuitton Cup and the America’s Cup Finals in a professionally orchestrated presentation at a public celebration held at San Francisco’s famed City Hall. The key man at this event Craig Thompson, CEO of ACEA, a newbie in sailing but with top references especially in soccer (European Champions League), is expected to have "the necessary leadership, vision and insight to develop, add value and enhance the America's Cup as a brand and a commercial property." Sailing is not soccer when it comes to world-wide attention, but let's give him a chance. The official bulletin by ACEA.
Saturday, 1. January 2011
Yesterday, at the very last moment to satisfy the Protocol of the 34th America's Cup, the organisers published that San Francisco will be the venue for the 2013 challenge. This decision comes not as a surprise, as only with San Francisco, serious contract negotiations had been going on up to a ready to sign document. The windy Frisco Bay promises spectacular matches for the 2013 Cup defense. The report.
Monday, 27. December 2010
Not unexpectedly, Captain Sarno, team leader of the South-African 'Shosholoza' sydndicate announced that they will not take part in the next America's Cup Challenge. In an interview, he mentions the high cost and the unfair advantage of the Defender re experience with multihulls. The interview.
Friday, 24. December 2010
Time runs out for the organisers of the 34th America's Cup to announce the venue, at least, if they respect the rules of the Protocol requesting this information by the end of this month. San Francisco, the home waters of the Oracle boss Larry Ellison USA, still have the best cards. The City has officially approved a bid, albeit only the second-best solution in the North of the Bay Bridge. The America's Cup Defenders are not happy with this modification, and this was one of the reasons to restart negociations with New Port R.I. But the short time until the end of the year will hardly be sufficient for the East Coast bidders to present an officially approved project. Not everybody in California understands the behaviour of the BMW/Oracle syndicate, as the San Francisco Chronicle explains. In Newport, longtime heart of the America's Cup history, enthusiasm starts to build up. Ken Read USA, multiple America's Cup veteran and 'Puma' skipper during the last Volvo Ocean Race raves about the perfect sailing waters of his home town Newport.
Friday, 24. December 2010
BMW, the main sponsor of the America's-Cup-winning team of Larry Ellison has announced its withdrawal from the America's Cup. With the victory in Valencia, all objectives of the cooperation would have been reached. The BMW reseach department had certainly some merits in the design and construction of the fastest cupper of all times. The report.
Thursday, 23. December 2010
Yesterday, an Australian syndicate lead by the big-boat-owner Lunde Ingvall AUS submitted officially a challenge for the 34th .America's Cup. After 'Mascalzone Latino', 'Artemis Racing' and 'Aleph Team France', the Australians are the fourth challenger. The latest entry submission date is March 31st, 2011. The report.
Tuesday, 21. December 2010 (Image © B. Stichelbaut)
www.sailing-news.us is the only sailing website informing daily on the many regatta activities ahead during the Christmas and New Year's period. And this year proofs to be especially busy. In addition to the traditional events like the Sydney-Hobart race, the Laser Europacup at Hvar, the Optimist-Meeting at San Remo, the Orange Bowl of the Optimists in Miami and the Starboat Christmas Race in Nice, some important international Championships are forthcoming. The 420 sail their Worlds in Argentinien, the Optimists in Malaysia. On December 31, the IMOCA Open 60 start to their Barcelona World Race. And Yearend is also the deadline for the organisers of the 34th America's Cup to announce the venue.
It is worthwhile to visit the www.sailing-news.us website each and every day to be informed on the latest news !
It is worthwhile to visit the www.sailing-news.us website each and every day to be informed on the latest news !
Sunday, 19. December 2010 (Image © David Paul Morris)
America's Cup race organizers are studying San Francisco's bid to host sailing's premier regatta while exploring options in other cities, dashing Mayor Gavin Newsom's hope for a Friday announcement that his city had secured the 2013 races. Larry Ellison and his team previously rejected the idea to shift the public facilities to the northern waterfront around Pier 27. That option has fewer up-front costs for both parties, but also fewer development options for race organizers to recoup their costs. The AC organisers met this week again with officials in Rhode Island about hosting the next Cup in Newport, site of the races from 1930 to 1983. According to the Protocol, the venue must be announced until December 31, 2010. An article in the Saturday SF Gate Chronicle..
Friday, 17. December 2010 (Image © Daniel Forster)
For weeks, the Board of Supervisors' Budget and Finance Committee had been divided on the city's bid to host the America's Cup races in 2013, but after the city found a way to host the races with minimal costs, infrastructure upgrades and prime public viewing areas, the full board unanimously passed the bid Tuesday. Initially, BMW-Oracle was opposed to this solution but there are signs, that the Cup Defendor will give in. There are expectations that a contract will be signed by this Friday evening local time. Otherwise, negotiations with other venues in the US and overseas, first of all Newport R.I., would continue. An article in the SF Chronicle Gate.
Tuesday, 14. December 2010 (Image © Peter Wyeth)
The organisers of the Extreme Sailing Series announced yesterday evening the program for the season 20110. Nine instead of five events in Europe, North America and Asia are planned. Ten teams from 8 nations will participate, among them as newcomers the America's Cup syndicates 'Emirates Team New Zealand' (Dean Barker NZL) and 'Artemis' (Terry Hutchinson USA), plus in addition again the 2008 X-Series winner 'Alinghi' (this time with Tanguy Cariou FRA instead of Ed Baird USA). The Tour begins already end of February in Muscat (Oman) and ends in December 2011 in Singapore. The report.
Monday, 13. December 2010
The decision whether the 34th America's Cup will be held in San Francisco shall be taken within the coming three days, when the final negotions by the local Authorities resume. The Board of Supervisors' Budget and Finance Committee will hold a final hearing today, and the full board is expected to vote on the agreement Tuesday. Tax money of over 100 mio $ is at stake. 9 months ago on the occasion of the America's Cup celebrations in the Town Hall of San Francisco, Larry Ellison assured the Mayor, that the Cup Defense would be organised here without financial engagement of the City provided the organisers get free access to the water. According to the Protocol, the AC organisers must publish the venue by December 31st, 2010 at the latest. A summary of the situation by AP..
A big pressure game seems to be going on with BMW-Oracle menacing to go elsewhere in case of a non-concurrence to its latest requests. Tom EhmanUSA, responsible for external affairs of the Golden Gate Yacht Club and BMW-Oracle was in Newport R.I. over the weekend to reopen the discussions as a fallback solution, Italy and Valencia are on stand-by, and event the Emirates (rejected by BMW-Oracle when proposed by Alinghi) are under consideration.
A big pressure game seems to be going on with BMW-Oracle menacing to go elsewhere in case of a non-concurrence to its latest requests. Tom EhmanUSA, responsible for external affairs of the Golden Gate Yacht Club and BMW-Oracle was in Newport R.I. over the weekend to reopen the discussions as a fallback solution, Italy and Valencia are on stand-by, and event the Emirates (rejected by BMW-Oracle when proposed by Alinghi) are under consideration.
Saturday, 11. December 2010 (Image © Bob Grieser)
The fifth challenger for the 34th America's Cup, announced yesterday, is the 'Aleph-Equipe de France' with Bertrand Pacé FRA and Alain Gautier FRA. The French team has already been active in the Louis Vuitton Trophy events during the past two years. In addition, both have a profound multihull experience and together with the top-knowhow of the French naval architects and boatyards in the construction of large multihulls, this team will be a serious contender. The Communiqué (PDF).
Friday, 10. December 2010
In an over 4 hours' hearing last Wednesday, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors Finance Committee discussed the proposals to host the 34th America's Cup. No decision was taken, the Committee asked for an updated financial analysis and requests that in case of a cession of the Piers 30-32 for 66 years, the organisers should be obliged to invest 55 mio $ for the refurbishment. The proposal expects the Cup event to bring at least 1,2 Mia $ for the local economy. The critics in the Committee do not see any reason to support the 6th richest man in the world with tax money. Next Monday, the follow-up meeting will be held, and on next Tuesday, the decision shall be taken. The report
Friday, 10. December 2010
In addition to the Cup holder 'BMW-Oracle' and the Challenger of Record 'Mascalzone Latino', 'Artemis Racing' of Torbjörn Tornquist SWE is the only challenger having officially announced its participation. A forth syndicat has also lodged an entry, but according to the Protocol, it is up to the participant to go public with the information. It is supposed that the Russian 'Synergy' is this 4th team. According to the organisers, a fifth team has entered these days, but the identification has not yet been released. Grant Dalton NZL of 'Team New Zealand' denied that this is the Kiwi enrolment. During the past weeks, the North-American media speculated about a Canadian challenger. The entry deadline is March 31, 2011, a date considered to be very late to start a successful challenge with a 70 ft multihull. The report.
Wednesday, 8. December 2010
The Port Commission unanimously approved the two proposals on the table to host the 34th America's Cup. Today, the Board of Supervisors Finance Committee decides whether they recommend to the full board, meeting on December 14, to approve the necessary investments. The financially overloaded City should subsidise the Cup with 42 mio $ in cash and let waterfront territories in the value of 86 mio $ to the organisers. The decision making process had been delayed to today to look for a cheaper alternative as opposition to the first proposal came up, An article in the SF Bay Guardian, and a report in the SF Examiner. In case of a negative decision in San Francisco, Sicily ITA (Trappani?) would be the alternative.
Monday, 29. November 2010
In a media round table discussion after the Dubai Louis Vuitton-Trophy event last week - we reported yesterday on the 2-0 victory of 'Team New Zealand' - the organisers of the 34th America's Cup answered questions from a dozen journalists on a wide range of topics. Already in January, the first AC-45-catamaran will be delivered, and starting in July 2011, the first of the five AC World Series-Regattas 2010, mandatory for AC-34 participants, shall be sailed. Early next year, the revised measurement rules of the AC-70 multihull willl be published. A report. Up to now, in addition to the Cup Defender 'BMW-Oracle', only the Challenger of Record 'Mascalzone Latino' and the Swedish 'Artemis' are known as participants. Refusals were received from 'Team Origin' GBR, 'Team Germany' and - as reported last Friday - also from 'Alinghi'.
In the meantime, the discussions about the financial backing for a possible San Francisco venue submission continue. The decision date December 1 has been postponed to December 8 to find a financially more favorable solution. The report.
In the meantime, the discussions about the financial backing for a possible San Francisco venue submission continue. The decision date December 1 has been postponed to December 8 to find a financially more favorable solution. The report.
Sunday, 28. November 2010 (Image © Bob Grieser)
Yesterday, 'Team New Zealand' defeated the America's Cup holder 'BMW/Oracle' with a straight 2-0 victory in the very last Louis Vuitton Trophy final in Dubai. The report. This was the fourth win of the Kiwis in the five LV-Trophies, a competition launched to bridge the time gap between the 32nd and 34th AC Challenges. The time of the old AC-Cuppers is now - after 20 years in use - definitively over. A look back. After the Dubai final, Louis Vuitton announced his return to the America's Cup as title sponsor of the Challenger series. The report.
Saturday, 27. November 2010 (Image © Paul Todd)
'BMW-Oracle' (Spithill AUS) vs 'All4One' (Col FRA/Schümann GER) and 'Team New Zealand' (Barker NZL) vs 'Mascalzone Latino' (Brady NZL) ended both 2-0 and the US and the NZL team qualified for the finals yesterday. But the matches were not at all easy-wins, as finally penalties decided on the outcome. The final today will be again in a best-of-three format. The report.
Saturday, 27. November 2010 (Image © Valencia Sailing)
As we already announced at the begin of this week, Alinghi will participate in the X-treme-40 catamaran circuit 2010. In a press bulletin, the double America's Cup winner announces also, that a participation in the 34th Challenge for the America's Cup to be held in 2013 is not in their plans. "After a careful evaluation of the protocol and other initiatives taken by the American Defender and its Challenger of Record, Alinghi considers that the existing conditions make it impossible for the team to participate in the 34th America's Cup." The Communiqué.
Friday, 26. November 2010 (Image © Bob Grieser)
Yesterday, the fleet race was on the program, which is not part of the overall rankings of the Dubai LVC event. Three races were organised and every team had two starts as only four cuppers are available for the 6 teams. 'Mascalzone Latino' with Gavin Brady NZL as helmsman was the winner with two bullets, followed by 'All4One' (Sébastien Col FRA) and 'Artemis Racing' (Cameron Appleton NZL) at equal points. 'BMW-Oracle' (James Spithill AUS), the dominating winner of the match races sailed so far, finished last in the fleet race. For today's semi final, the Amercians choose the Franco-German 'All4One-Team' as opponent. Best-of-3-series will be sailed. The report.
Thursday, 25. November 2010
Yesterday was layday and today, fleet races are on the program. Four cuppers are in place and therefore every team can be racing twice in the three heats that will be started. This evening, 'BMW-Oracle' will select their semi final opponent. During the first layday a week ago, the teams had the opportunity to participate in a Dhow-regatta as additional crew. We reported about it. Now an onboard-video with 'Team NZL' has been published.
Wednesday, 24. November 2010 (Image © Bob Grieser)
The four semi-finalists after Round Robin 2 are known: In addition to 'BMW-Oracle' (James Spithill AUS), again winning yesterday, it is 'Team New Zealand' (Dean Barker NZL), 'Mascalzone Latino' (Gavin Brady NZL) and 'All4One '(Sébastien Col FRA) who will be racing in the Finals. The Franco-German team will probably meet 'BMW-Oracle'. Today is a lay day. On Thursday, a fleet race for all 6 teams will be organised. The semi-finals are scheduled for Friday. The report.
Tuesday, 23. November 2010 (Image © Paul Todd)
'Mascalzone Latino' (Gavin Brady), the backmarker of the fleet so far, advanced on the 3rd place with two Round Robin 2 victories awarding double points against Team 'New Zealand' (Dean Barker NZL) and 'Synergy' (Francesco Bruni ITA), and has now excellent chances to qualify for the semi-final in the remaining matches. 'BMW-Oracle' (James Spithill AUS) remains on top followed by 'Team New Zealand'. 'All4One' with the same number of points as 'Synergy' and 'Artemis' on point behind will fight for the last semi-final slot. The daily report.
Monday, 22. November 2010 (Image © Paul Todd)
The dominating team of the America's Cup-holders 'BMW-Oracle' suffered yesterday a surprising Round Robin 2 defeat against 'All4One' (Sébastien Col FRA, Jochen Schümann GER). But with 11-2 wins, the Americans with James Spithill AUS as helmsman remain undoubtedly on top of the rankings and are already now a firm semi-finalist. Behind 'Team New Zealand' (Dean Barker NZL) with 7-5 wins is 'All4One' now on the 3rd position, tied with 'Artemis' (Cameron Appleton NZL). The report.
Sunday, 21. November 2010 (Image © Paul Todd)
A different challenge yesterday for the six teams competing for the Louis Vuitton Trophy: They sailed a fleet race on the traditional Arabian Dhow boats. Contrary to 'normal regattas', they had to hoist the sails and pick up the anchors at the starting gun. Jochen Schümann GER and his 'All4One-Team' demonstrated the best nautical skills and won the race. The official report and the impressions of Paul Cayard USA. As from today, the decisive phase of Round Robin 2 to qualify the semi-finalists is on the program.
Saturday, 20. November 2010 (Image © Bob Grieser)
With only one defeat so far, 'BMW-Oracle' with James Spithill AUS is the clear dominator of the LVC Dubai. In addition to the Americans, 'Team New Zealand' (Dean Barker NZL) with 6,5 and 'Artemis' (Cameron Appleton NZL) with 5 points have the best chances to qualify for the semi-finals. The other three teams with 4 points each fight for the last semi-final place. Today it is the lay day in Dubai. Tomorrow Sunday, Round Robin 2 continues. The event-website.
Friday, 19. November 2010 (Image © Paul Todd)
The Round Robin 1 ended yesterday again with double-matches, i.e. the pairs met twice in a row. 'BMW-Oracle' was the only team with two wins against 'Mascalzone Latino' extending its lead overall. The other duels ended tied 1-1 each, and the rankings remain very close. Today is the start of Round Robin 2 where a win will be awarded with two points. The first four teams will proceed to the knockout semi-finals. The report of the day.
Thursday, 18. November 2010 (Image © PWA)
The LV-Trophy in Dubai continued yesterday in good sailing conditions, with the two favorites ‚BMW-Oracle' (James Spithill AUS) undefeated so far and ‚Team New Zealand' (Dean Barker NZL) meeting twice in a row. In the first encounter, the Americans were on top, but the second race went in favor of Dean Barker NZL winning the start and defending a one second lead till the finish. ‚BWM-Oracle' remains clearly on top with a 7-1 score in front of ‚Team NZL' 4-3. ‚Artemis' (Cameron Applelton NZL), ‚Synergy' (Francesco Bruni ITA) and ‚All4One' (Sébastien Col FRAU) share the 3rd place with 3 wins each. The report of the day.
Wednesday, 17. November 2010 (Image © Paul Todd)
Another day with the America's Cup defenders 'BMW-Oracle' dominating the action. James Spithill AUS and his team brought two more matches successfully home and lead the oveall rankings with a clean 6-0 score. 'Team New Zealand' (Dean Barker NZL) is second despite of two defeats and a 3-2 account only. The Franco-German 'All4One'-Team with Sébastien Col FRA had a good day with two wins and is now back in the race for a semi-final place with the 2-4 interims standings. The report.
Tuesday, 16. November 2010 (Image © Bob Grieser)
The two damaged 'Team New Zealand' cuppers could be repaired over night after yesterday's crash - see the video - and the Louis Vuitton Trophy off Dubai continued with the full program with two flights in good sailing conditions. 'BMW-Oracle' with James Spithill AUS remain undefeated leading with a 4-0 score, followed by 'Team New Zealand' (Dean Barker NZL) and the Russian 'Synergy' with Francesco Bruni ITA, with 3-1, resp 2-1 wins. The franco-german team 'All4One' with Sébastien Col FRA and Jochen Schümann GER was not very lucky so far and is last with 0-4. The report.
Sunday, 14. November 2010 (Image © Paul Todd)
In a few hours from now, the first Match of the final Louis Vuitton Trophy event will begin in Dubai with 'Kiwi' helmsmen duel Dean Barker NZL (Team New Zealand) against Gavin Brady NZL (Mascalzone Latino). As in the previous LVC matches, the old America's Cup yachts of Team NZL will be used. Check out the official website for contiunous results information during the day.
Saturday, 13. November 2010 (Image © Bob Grieser)
The farewell party of the 'old' America's-Cup-Class begins today in Dubay with the last Louis Vuitton-Trophy event. The following teams participate: Team New Zealand (Dean Barker NZL), BMW-Oracle (James Spithill AUS), All4One (Jochen Schümann GER), Mascalzone Latino (Gavin Brady NZL), Artemis Racing (Cameron Appleton NZL) and Synergy (Francesco Bruni ITA). The preview.
Tuesday, 9. November 2010
While the America's Cup syndicates of the past years prepare for the very last Louis Vuitton Trophy traditional AC-yacht matchrace beginning next weekend in Dubai - here a first report -, the Swedish 'Artemis'-Team of the oil tycoon Torbjörn Tornquist held its press conference announcing officially the participation in the 34th America's cup to be sailed on 72-foot multihulls. Terry Hutchinson USA, in 2007 tactician of the Emirates Team New Zealand, will be the helmsman. Paul Cayard USA acts as CEO. Like Terry also a newcomer in the multihull racing world will be the design head Juan Koujoumdian ARG, who got his merits as a designer of the most successful Volvo 70 yachts. Tom Schnackenberg NZL (ex Team NZL and Alinghi) will also be part of the design team. The communiqué.
Monday, 8. November 2010
On a press conference this afternoon at 13.30 p.m. CET, the Swedish Artemis-Racing Team will officially announce its challenge for the 34th America's Cup. This syndicate will be financed by the Swedish oil tycoon Torbjörn Tornquist SWE, living in Geneva SUI. Paul Cayard USA, who will also be present at the press conference, will most probably be the helmsman. Follow the conference live on the Internet.
Saturday, 23. October 2010 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
Meeting in Paris yesterday to discuss the next America's Cup, 45 representatives, on behalf of 24 teams from 13 countries, reviewed the marketing and television plans from the recently formed commercial arm, the America's Cup Event Authority. It was a preliminary briefing and gathering of prospective competitors with America's Cup Race Management and ACEA officials. The ACEA will provide the financial stability to allow the America's Cup the continuity of racing and management from cycle to cycle regardless of Defender/Trustee. With the entry period for the teams fast approaching, we called the prospective teams together to share with them as much information as is available on all aspects of the America's Cup starting next year and ramping up to the 34th America's Cup in 2013,' said Iain Murray, CEO and Regatta Director for the ACRM. More from the official press release.
Friday, 22. October 2010 (Image © Jacques Vapillon)
In an interview with Voiles & Voiliers magazine, the French "Mr. America's Cup,” Bruno Troublé, talks about life at 65, his recent J/80 campaign at the Worlds in Newport, about Alinghi's perception of Louis Vuitton as a cash cow and why he does not believe a word of the optimistic budget projections for America's Cup 34. However, Troublé also calls his relationship with Larry Ellison and BMWOracle Racing "excellent,” and expresses optimism that Louis Vuitton will return as a sponsor for 2013, which would be the 30-year anniversary of the company's involvement since it first sponsored the challenger series (1983 in Newport). For his own show, the Louis Vuitton Cup, the last curtain will be going up in Dubai. "It's the end of an adventure,” Troublé says, but indicates that he understands the Cup Defender's desire to control of the pre-events. The AC World Series, he notes, is in essence the same idea as the LVC, but for catamarans. As a true Frenchman, Troublé would like to see a French challenge (especially in large multihulls), but also sees the obstacles: "We know France is a country of villages, and until now, we never managed to get everyone together…” Could LV fund a French campaign? "We can't be everywhere, organizer and entrant,” Troublé explains, adding that 93 percent of Louis Vuitton's revenue are coming from abroad. There's much more, albeit in French.
Wednesday, 20. October 2010 (Image © Loris von Siebenthal)
Britain's Mark Turner, boss of the Offshore Challenges company and Ernesto Bertarelli SUI, the former holder of the America's Cup, are reportedly discussing a co-operation between Turner's Extreme Sailing Seriesand the Decision 35 catamaran series in which Bertarelli competes. Turner expects some interest in the Extreme 40 catamaran events from America's Cup teams who might use it as a practice opportunity until the new AC 45 and AC 72 cats are ready. This Friday there will be a meeting in Paris between America's Cup Race Management and potential challengers for the 34th America's Cup, who will discuss - among other things - money. Stuart Alexander's report in the Independent.
Monday, 18. October 2010 (Image © File)
Team New Zealand's CEO Grant Dalton expects to know if they will take part in the new, multi-hulled America's Cup by early next year. Timed for 2013 at a venue yet to be decided (but which should be known by Christmas), the Cup is following a new blueprint as laid down by BMW Oracle. It will be raced in 72-foot (21.95m) catamarans with wing-sails, prefaced by a series in 45-foot catamarans with points accruing towards a challenger series. While Dalton says he won't be surprised if Cup entries are down for the next regatta, he says his "guesstimation" is that Emirates Team NZ might be able to compete for about the same overall cost as the last Cup regatta in Valencia in 2007. "We might be wrong about that so we still have work to do before we make a decision." … while he won't divulge the costs, Dalton clearly believes it can be done for a great deal less than the enormous €135 million ($250 million) advanced by some quarters within TeamOrigin, for instance. The NZ Herald story.
Sunday, 17. October 2010
Friday the final design rule of the AC 72, the new wingsailed America's Cup catamaran class was published. Cup Defender Golden Gate Yacht Club and 'BMW/Oracle Racing' presented a two page concept paper to US Sailing and the design firm of Morrelli & Melvin and had them turn it into a fully- formed multihull design rule. After a draft was circulated to potential teams and the public last month over 500 comments were received and partially assimilated into the document. The key points however remain unchanged. High performance, challenging for sailors and designers, spectator friendly, capable of sailing a wide wind range, and cost-reduction features (smaller crew, no-sailing periods, simple hoisting, ban on weather boats etc.), Teams may design and build a maximum of two AC72 catamarans, which will be raced 2012 season in the America's Cup World Series, the Selection Series and the America's Cup Match in 2013. Next year, teams will compete in identical a smaller one-design catamaran with wingsail technology that serves as a training platform. The release, a fact sheet and the rule for download.
Saturday, 16. October 2010 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget/BMWOracle Racing)
James Spithill won the Australian Male Sailor of the Year award for 2009-2010 for guiding BMW/ORACLE Racing's trimaran USA to victory in the 33rd America's Cup Match last February. He previously won award in 2005-06 for winning the ISAF World Match Racing Championship and the Melges 24 World Championship. "It's been a fantastic year,” Spithill said. "The America's Cup has been a dream of mine. Ever since I was a kid in 1983 and John Bertrand won in Australia II.” Spithill did not attend the ceremony in Sydney due to his commitment at the RC 44 World Championship in the Canary Islands, but was represented by his father Arthur and brother Tom. Glenn Ashby, a 14-time World Champion, received the President's Award for coaching Spithill and the BMW/Oracle crew to sail the giant trimaran. This year Ashby won his 7th A Class Catamaran World Championship and finished second at the International C Class Catamaran Championship together with Spithill. The report.
Friday, 8. October 2010
Yesterday the updated draft of the AC72 Class Rule was released on behalf of the America's Cup defender Golden Gate Yacht Club, and the Challenger of Record, Italy's Club Nautico di Roma, reflecting some of the input that came from potential participants after the initial rule was introduced last month. This latest draft further limits the design and construction of the new wingsailed 72-foot catamarans "to minimize costs and to help assure close, challenging racing.” Comments are welcome until Oct. 11, final version to be published Oct. 15. The full test of the release.
Wednesday, 6. October 2010 (Image © Richard Walch)
We don't know the venue of the America's Cup, but we know quite a few who won't be coming. The Italians of Luna Rossa and Azzurra declared early that they'll pass before the Brits did the same last week. Yesterday Team Germany announced they won't join the party either. "Team Germany is not in a position to enter the 34th America's Cup, given the rules that were established by BMWOracle,” team boss Michael Scheeren told the German daily Die Zeit. "For the German America's Cup hopes the withdrawal of Team Germany…. means another setback,” the paper writes and reminds readers that prior to the last Cup, the uncertain future of the event has led to the cancellation of contracts with key team members like Jochen Schuemann and Karol Jablonski. "The possibility of founding another German team for the 34th Cup remains highly questionable at this point,” the Zeit concludes. The report (German).
Saturday, 2. October 2010 (Image © Ian Roman)
The rule for the new boats has not yet been published yet there is the first prominent withdrawal from the AC 34: TeamOrigin GBR, the yacht racing team established by Sir Keith Mills and skippered by triple Olympic Gold medalist, Ben Ainslie, announced it will not challenge for the next America's Cup scheduled for 2013. "After three years of waiting in the wings to enter a British team in the America's Cup I am bitterly disappointed that we will not be competing.,” Mills said. "However, the format and timetable decided by the Defender, BMW/Oracle, is simply not viable for TeamOrigin.”
After analyzing the race format, the proposed fixed-wing catamaran, the timetable, rules and costs, Mills concluded that the 34th America's Cup is neither viable commercially, nor an attractive sporting contest for his team. Read the full report. Instead, the British sailors will have time to either seek employment with other campaigns, or focus their attention on the Olympic Sailing event on their home turf in 2012. The report.
After analyzing the race format, the proposed fixed-wing catamaran, the timetable, rules and costs, Mills concluded that the 34th America's Cup is neither viable commercially, nor an attractive sporting contest for his team. Read the full report. Instead, the British sailors will have time to either seek employment with other campaigns, or focus their attention on the Olympic Sailing event on their home turf in 2012. The report.
Friday, 1. October 2010 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
Following a period of consultation with potential teams for the 34th America's Cup, the release date of the AC72 Class Rule has been pushed back by two weeks to Oct. 15. An initial draft was released to prospective teams on Sept. 16. Based on their considered input, a second draft will be issued on or before Oct. 6, allowing potential teams an additional comment period before its formal release. "The Defender and Challenger of Record have agreed an amendment to the protocol (PDF) for the 34th America's Cup to permit this short delay in publishing the AC72 Class Rule,” said Ian Murray, CEO and Regatta Director, America's Cup Race Management in a memo (PDF). The AC72 is the new high-performance wingsail catamaran that's being developed for the 34th America's Cup. The Rule is being drafted by Morrelli & Melvin Design and Engineering on behalf of US Sailing. The report.
Wednesday, 29. September 2010 (Image © Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP)
San Francisco officials have promised to raise at least $270 million from businesses and other sponsors if the city is picked to host the next America's Cup sailing race, according to a draft agreement obtained by The Chronicle. The city has also made a number of additional promises, like helping event participants to secure drivers licenses, trying to obtain federal legislation to allow foreign-flagged vessels for the event to stop in more than one U.S. port, and promoting the premier regatta with publicly controlled advertising space, such as at San Francisco International Airport, according to a term sheet that outlines parameters of a host-city deal. The agreement is expected to be presented to the Board of Supervisors today for consideration as San Francisco vies with two European cities to host the 34th America's Cup. The event includes weeks of races, years of buildup and could inject an estimated $1.9 billion into the national economy - the vast majority in the Bay Area. The full report and the detailed proposal from Mayor Gavin Newsom's office.
Monday, 20. September 2010
On Friday the draft rule for the AC72 Class was made public. The AC72 is a "box rule,” which narrows down the design parameters so teams will create their own boats, similar - not identical - in dimensions. Like BMWOracle's trimaran, these multihulls will have a wing mast and will be much faster than the true wind speed (up to twice they say). But unlike the Alinghi and BOR boats at the last Cup that had engine-powered winches, the AC 72 will require human muscle to trim the 2800- square-foot wing. The first AC72s will debut in 2012 for the America's Cup World Series, leading up to the 34th Match in 2013, venue TBA.
Here are some AC 72 parameters: LOA 22.0 meters (72 feet); Beam 14.0 meters (46 feet); Displacement 5,700 kilograms (12,500 pounds); All-up weight 7,000 kilograms (15,500 pounds); Wingsail area 260 square meters (2,800 square feet); Wingsail height 40 meters (130 feet); Wingsail chord 8.5 meters (28 feet) Sail trimming: Manual grinders. Get the details and download the rule draft.
Here are some AC 72 parameters: LOA 22.0 meters (72 feet); Beam 14.0 meters (46 feet); Displacement 5,700 kilograms (12,500 pounds); All-up weight 7,000 kilograms (15,500 pounds); Wingsail area 260 square meters (2,800 square feet); Wingsail height 40 meters (130 feet); Wingsail chord 8.5 meters (28 feet) Sail trimming: Manual grinders. Get the details and download the rule draft.
Wednesday, 15. September 2010
We counted and we were blown away: One sailing site found enough reasons to run 17 "stories” about Monday's AC announcements. That's an awful lot of bloviating about an event that is still three years away, doesn't have a venue and still will cost a truckload of dough. The Kiwis are cautiously optimistic as they develop their program and their chief Grant Dalton said in a TV NZL interview that they are rolling with the punches, eye on the kitty. Faster cash burn rate upfront, but less overall because of the earlier (2013) date.
The raw budget estimate given at the Valencia press conference ranged from 40 and 100 million Euros (52 to 130 million USD). But first all teams (they hope for at least eight entries) have to acquire the 45-foot 'junior version' of the wing-rigged catamarans, which will be launched later this year to be sailed between the summer of 2011 and March of 2012, before everybody rolls out the "real boats”. It's all part of the 13-race America's Cup World Series that is leading up to the 34th Cup Match and it's mandatory for all entrants. Defender and Challenger of Record still control the cornerstones of the event, like say the venue, which at this point is still subject to speculation. The best line we have seen was a tweet by Valencia Sailing: "My take: AC in 2013 most probably in Lido di Ostia.”
The raw budget estimate given at the Valencia press conference ranged from 40 and 100 million Euros (52 to 130 million USD). But first all teams (they hope for at least eight entries) have to acquire the 45-foot 'junior version' of the wing-rigged catamarans, which will be launched later this year to be sailed between the summer of 2011 and March of 2012, before everybody rolls out the "real boats”. It's all part of the 13-race America's Cup World Series that is leading up to the 34th Cup Match and it's mandatory for all entrants. Defender and Challenger of Record still control the cornerstones of the event, like say the venue, which at this point is still subject to speculation. The best line we have seen was a tweet by Valencia Sailing: "My take: AC in 2013 most probably in Lido di Ostia.”
Tuesday, 14. September 2010
The next America's Cup match will be held in 2013 and it will be raced on 72-foot catamarans with wing sails, announced Russell Coutts, CEO of Cup Defender BMW Oracle Racing in Valencia on Monday. But there is a raft of other changes designed to consolidate the event and make it economically sustainable, including
• Annual World Series on scaled-down 45-foot one-design cats with wings
• Youth America's Cup in 2012
• Streamlined format to accommodate media coverage
• Shorter courses, venues with reliable wind conditions
• Independent regatta management
• Cost cutting measures
• Branding freedom for teams
• Consolidated global Web site for all team and racing-relate content
"We believe this new format and new boat will put the America's Cup back at the pinnacle of our sport. These changes will give equal opportunity to competitors and long-term economic stability to all teams and all commercial partners,” Coutts said. "This change should've happened years ago in my opinion. I can see why this important development could last for many years in the future,” said Vincenzo Onorato, the president of Mascalzone Latino. Limits on the number of boats, sails, equipment and support boats, as well as the introduction of no-sail periods will bring significant cost savings for all competitors. Crew sizes will be reduced to 11 members from 17. "During our six months of planning we spoke to the teams, to commercial partners, to media and to the fans. A clear and compelling vision emerged – that to capture and communicate the excitement our sport can produce, we need the best sailors racing the fastest boat in the world,” Coutts said. Read more and download the entire AC34 protocol (PDF).
• Annual World Series on scaled-down 45-foot one-design cats with wings
• Youth America's Cup in 2012
• Streamlined format to accommodate media coverage
• Shorter courses, venues with reliable wind conditions
• Independent regatta management
• Cost cutting measures
• Branding freedom for teams
• Consolidated global Web site for all team and racing-relate content
"We believe this new format and new boat will put the America's Cup back at the pinnacle of our sport. These changes will give equal opportunity to competitors and long-term economic stability to all teams and all commercial partners,” Coutts said. "This change should've happened years ago in my opinion. I can see why this important development could last for many years in the future,” said Vincenzo Onorato, the president of Mascalzone Latino. Limits on the number of boats, sails, equipment and support boats, as well as the introduction of no-sail periods will bring significant cost savings for all competitors. Crew sizes will be reduced to 11 members from 17. "During our six months of planning we spoke to the teams, to commercial partners, to media and to the fans. A clear and compelling vision emerged – that to capture and communicate the excitement our sport can produce, we need the best sailors racing the fastest boat in the world,” Coutts said. Read more and download the entire AC34 protocol (PDF).
Wednesday, 1. September 2010 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
Yesterday, there was no press conference about the next America's Cup as originally planned. Instead, a press release circulated that announced the announcement will now happen on September 13 at the BMWOracle base in Valencia ESP. But it won't be the tell-all announcement. The plan is to reveal "three of the four cornerstones of the next competition.” Date, boat and rules. No word about the place, except that 'negotiations over the host city venue – the fourth cornerstone – continue, but organizers are confident of making an announcement ahead of the December 31 objective.”
Friday, 20. August 2010 (Image © Lance Iversen/The Chronicle)
San Francisco officials are moving quickly to acquire an exemption to state environmental law in time for a deadline to submit a proposal on hosting the next America's Cup, The Chronicle has learned. "Without this legislative action, it is likely that San Francisco will not be selected and the regatta will be held overseas," said a recent memo from Mayor Gavin Newsom's office that was used to brief environmentalists on the proposal, which would cover shoreside facilities for yachts, gear and support services. Some environmental groups, while appreciative that city officials sought their input, warn that an exemption would open the floodgates for wealthy interests to circumvent state-required environmental review. "We're not going to sit by idly and let that happen," said Tina Andolina, legislative director for the Planning and Conservation League, an environmental lobbying group. Read the full story.
[Ed. note: Are we alone with the hunch that the good folks in California could muck up the Cup's return to the US?]
[Ed. note: Are we alone with the hunch that the good folks in California could muck up the Cup's return to the US?]
Saturday, 7. August 2010 (Image © Ian Roman)
Passion boiled over, a rare penalty for abuse was the result, but 'TeamOrigin' GBR beat the America's Cup holders 'BMWOracle Racing' USA by a score of 10-4 to win the 1851 Cup regatta in Cowes, Isle of Wight. 'Origin' after winning the start of the first of three races in Stokes Bay, was in a tight situation at the top turning mark and appealed to umpire Bill Edgerton, who waved them away. The ensuing cussing match netted the Brits a whistle and a penalty flag for 'dissent' and allowed 'BMWOracle' to even the series at 4-4 after getting three points for the win. But it was a mere hiccup on the road to victory for Ben Ainslie and his mates, as the next two races went to 'TeamOrigin' which recently added four-time Cup-winning Kiwi Simon Daubney as trimmer. The BMWOracle blog.
Saturday, 7. August 2010 (Image © Bob Grieser )
The World Sailing Teams Association, together with Louis Vuitton and the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, will not develop the proposed Louis Vuitton Trophy Hong Kong any further. The proposed event, on Version 5 America's Cup class boats, would have been scheduled for Victoria Harbour in January 2011. It has become clear however, that many of the teams involved are focusing their resources on their preparations for the 34th America's Cup. The rest of the story.
Friday, 6. August 2010 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget/BMWOracle Racing)
In a race today marked with penalties, blown sails and broken equipment, 'BMW Oracle Racing' USA defeated 'TeamOrigin' GBR around the Isle of Wight by 1 minute and 55 seconds to win the Trafalgar Cup. The race re-enacted the famous race of 1851 that gave rise to the legend of the America's Cup. Instead of a wooden schooner from America racing 14 British yachts, two America's Cup Class sloops constructed of carbon fiber sailed the 53-nautical-mile course. But the outcome was similar: an American yacht won. More form the victorious team's blog and the video
Thursday, 5. August 2010 (Image © BMWOracle Racing)
Racing in late day sunshine and a puffy northerly wind, America's Cup winner 'BMW Oracle Racing' got on the scoreboard today in The 1851 Cup versus 'Team Origin' GBR when the Brits broke down in the pre-start with a failed halyard lock on the mainsail. Prior to the mishap 'Team Origin' stretched its winning streak to four races. Details form 'BMWOracle's perspective.
Wednesday, 4. August 2010
Under dramatic skies and with the wind at the upper end of the range permissible for sailing (Ed. note: Reported wind speed was 22-25 knots, a normal day in San Francisco), so the 1851 Cup got off to a fine start. After two races, quadruple Olympic medalist Ben Ainslie and his crew on TEAMORIGIN lead America's Cup champions BMW ORACLE Racing, with James Spithill by a score of 2-0. In the first race BMWOracle led after the first lap but chose the starboard mark of the leeward gate which gave the trailing Bits a passing lane and in the second race they did themselves in by being over early at the start and never getting a chance to catch up on the shortened course. The report.
Tuesday, 3. August 2010 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
Two of sailing's young top skippers, James Spithill AUS and Ben Ainslie GBR, will square off this week in The 1851 Cup, a one-off match racing regatta between America's Cup winner BMW Oracle Racing USA and TeamOrigin GBR. While the two teams race each other on the Solent, the public will have an opportunity to view the America's Cup. The trophy will be on display daily beginning at 10:00 am until early evening. Spithill, who skippered the 'BMW Oracle' trimaran to the Cup win last February also won the Melges 24 Worlds and the World match racing Championship in 2005, while Ainslie is best known for his three Olympic gold medals. Both sailors were teammates on the 'OneWorld' America's Cup Challenge in 2003. Racing on 'BMW Oracle' Racing's two vintage IACC sloops begins today at 3:30 pm GMT. The highlight of the regatta is Thursday's race around the Isle of Wight, retracing the famous 53-nautical-mile course of 1851 that created the America's Cup. The event Web site (still offline at press time).
Wednesday, 21. July 2010 (Image © Ricky Lesser)
In the America's Cup Video Competition a panel of expert judges selected three "early winners,” which could mean that there might be "late winners" as well, because the competition remains open through September. Watch these three clips titled 'Ride It', 'A bit of Hawaii' and 'Seaweed' to judge for yourself. Only entrants under 28 years of age are invited to share production techniques "to energize the look of the competition for the world's oldest sporting trophy.” This demographic was targeted because of its close association with extreme sports and social media.
Starting on Thursday of this week there will be on-the water tests in Valencia ESP with two pairs of monohulls and multihulls competing on modified courses to review the format of racing. The boats will be equipped with HD and 3D cameras to capture the on board action.
Starting on Thursday of this week there will be on-the water tests in Valencia ESP with two pairs of monohulls and multihulls competing on modified courses to review the format of racing. The boats will be equipped with HD and 3D cameras to capture the on board action.
Tuesday, 20. July 2010 (Image © Victor Caivano/AP)
Sailing may not be as popular as football in this country, but hosting the world's premier regatta would pack at least three times the economic punch for San Francisco as a Super Bowl. That's the assessment of a new economic study obtained by The Chronicle that found that holding the next America's Cup here in either 2013 or 2014 would infuse $1.4 billion into the Bay Area's economy - the vast majority of it in San Francisco - and generate 8,800 jobs, from prep cooks to engineers. Hosting a Super Bowl generates between $300 million and $500million on average. All told, including statewide and national impacts like extended tourism, the series of yacht races in San Francisco Bay would generate $1.9 billion in economic activity and create about 12,000 jobs, according to a city-commissioned report by the Bay Area Council Economic Institute and Beacon Economics, which was released today. Read more about the what-ifs and the numbers that are being tossed around with great abandon.
Friday, 9. July 2010 (Image © Wikimedia)
Larry Ellison's hometown, San Francisco, has been named as the sole US Defense venue option for the 34th America's Cup by the Defender Golden Gate Yacht Club. In a just released statement, Golden Gate YC says that the West Coast city 'has put forward a strong, well-rounded venue proposal, and is now the only city in the USA under consideration to host the 34th America's Cup match.' The decision excuses from further consideration other bids from San Diego, Long Beach and Newport, RI, however European options are still under consideration including the venue for the 32nd and 33rd America's Cup, the Spanish city of Valencia. However it is believed that all US venues will participate in future Louis Vuitton Trophy series in some future time. The report in the SF Chronicle with video.
Saturday, 3. July 2010 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
The Defender of the America's Cup, Golden Gate Yacht Club, announced that US SAILING will author a multihull rule and the RORC's Seahorse Rating a canting-keel monohull rule for the next generation of America's Cup yacht. In response to feedback from potential teams, the original concepts for both types have been scaled back from 26m (82 feet) LOA to 22m (72 feet) for tangible cost reduction. An engine will be used to cant the keel on the monohull and move appendages on the multihull. The rule authors have been tasked to specify an environmentally friendly, smart, low-emission engine or power-pack.
General Features – High-performance and close racing; light to strong wind range capability; ease of shipping & transportation; 22m max LOA
Monohull Features: 1.0 x wind speed upwind performance, 1.4 x wind speed downwind performance, narrow displacement range; combination of bow and twin rudders allowed; bowsprit; unlimited gennaker area; 13 crew
Multihull Features: 1.2 x wind speed upwind performance, 1.6 x wind speed downwind performance; displacement 4000-4200kg; up to four moveable appendages; wing sails permitted; demountable assembly; 12 crew.
The choice of boat type will be made after the conclusion of these trials, the first round of which is scheduled for Valencia in late July. See the monohull concept (PDF) and that for multihulls (PDF).
General Features – High-performance and close racing; light to strong wind range capability; ease of shipping & transportation; 22m max LOA
Monohull Features: 1.0 x wind speed upwind performance, 1.4 x wind speed downwind performance, narrow displacement range; combination of bow and twin rudders allowed; bowsprit; unlimited gennaker area; 13 crew
Multihull Features: 1.2 x wind speed upwind performance, 1.6 x wind speed downwind performance; displacement 4000-4200kg; up to four moveable appendages; wing sails permitted; demountable assembly; 12 crew.
The choice of boat type will be made after the conclusion of these trials, the first round of which is scheduled for Valencia in late July. See the monohull concept (PDF) and that for multihulls (PDF).
Thursday, 1. July 2010 (Image © Official White House Photo by Samantha Appleton)
Led by team owner Larry Ellison (USA) and representing San Francisco's Golden Gate Yacht Club, BMWOracle Racing won the America's Cup in February – the first time an American team has won the Cup in 18 years. Now they showed the Auld Mug to President Obama during a White House reception. The America's Cup has been to the White House on one other occasion - President Reagan welcomed Dennis Conner after his Stars & Stripes team won the trophy back from Australia in 1987. The visit to the White House marked the beginning of an East Coast tour for the BMW Oracle Racing team and the America's Cup. Full story.
Wednesday, 30. June 2010 (Image © Simon Palfrader/Luna Rossa )
Patrizio Bertelli, the owner of Luna Rossa, decided to pull the plug on sailing in the 34th America's Cup, whenever, wherever that might be. The Louis Vuitton finalist of the 32nd America's Cup in Valencia reportedly appears to be out of the Cup, but the rest of its sailing program should continue. In other news: The Swedish Artemis team announced that team manager Jared Henderson won't sail with the team, following the decision by team chairman Torbjorn Tornqvist to restructure the organization. Henderson was the longest serving team member and helped build the team, which competes on the TP52 and RC44 circuits, and the Louis Vuitton Trophy. The report.
Thursday, 24. June 2010 (Image © BMW Oracle Racing/Guilain Grenier)
In a joint initiative by the defender, San Francisco's Golden Gate Yacht Club and the Challenger of Record, Italy's Club Nautico di Roma, a draft of the Protocol rules for the 34th America's Cup was sent to the challenging teams today. Foremost amongst numerous innovations is a forward-thinking structure that allows funds and assets to transfer from one America's Cup to the next. Some key elements to be included the 34th America's Cup Protocol: neutral race management body, wide-ranging powers for the jury, cost cutting measures; initiative to transform television media output; added-value to sponsors & business partners; sustainable, long-term business model and regular races leading up to the Cup. Lastly, the protocol will limit costs by reducing the number of racing crew, introducing no-sailing periods and limiting the numbers of hulls, masts, appendages and sails teams can build.The reportand the protocol (PDF).
Monday, 7. June 2010 (Image © Bob Grieser/Outside images)
'Team New Zealand' NZ came back from a 0-2 deficit to win three consecutive races and the Louis Vuitton Trophy in La Maddalena ITA against 'Synergy Sailing Team' RUS. It was the first time in America's Cup history that a Russian-flagged boat has reached the final as the international crew led by Polish skipper Karol Jablonski came very close to clinching the series. Especially Race 4 was close, which the Russians lost due to a penalty they incurred after making contact with the Kiwis downwind. In the last race they trailed and lost their gennaker. The report and the video clips of the final day including interviews with the finalists.
Sunday, 6. June 2010 (Image © Chris Cameron/ETNZ)
The semifinal between the two surprise 'upstarts' 'All4One' GER/FRA and 'Synergy Sailing Team' RUS was fought in light air and brought a Russian sweep. In the first race of the finals, which started late, they managed to pass favorites 'Team New Zealand' NZL and score the first point. Today they'll race the rest. The report.
Saturday, 5. June 2010 (Image © Paul Todd/www.outsideimages.co.nz/Louis Vuitton Trophy)
After two long weeks, the Louis Vuitton Trophy in La Maddalena is slowly winding down. In the first semifinal yesterday, 'Emirates Team New Zealand' NZL eliminated 'Artemis' SWE with a 2-1 score and advanced to the finals where the Kiwis will meet the winner of 'All4One' FRA/GER and 'Synergy Sailing Team' RUS who'll have their semifinal today. More on the event site.
Friday, 4. June 2010 (Image © Bob Grieser/Outside images)
In leftover round robin business, 'Emirates Team New Zealand' NZL was handed an easy win by 'Mascalzone Latino' ITA who were over early a the start. This gave the Kiwis third overall and a spot in the semis. Then 'All4One' FRA/GER defeated 'Artemis' SWE win the round robin. Both also advanced to the semifinals. Next 'Synergy Sailing Team' RUS won a best-of three quarter finals series against 'Mascalzone,' which had a better record but the same points (5) due to a jury decision, which resulted in a points deduction. What about the other quarterfinals? It never was explained, but they were skipped (presumably due to the many delays in the schedule) so the round robin standings determined the other semifinalists. If all that sounds complicated, console yourself with the pairings for today's semifinals. 'Artemis' vs. ''ETNZ' and 'All4One' vs. 'Synergy' More on the Louis Vuitton site.
Thursday, 3. June 2010 (Image © Bob Grieser/Outside images)
'All4One' FRA/GER moved up to second equal place at the Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena yesterday and will race 'Artemis' SWE today to decide the winner of the round robin. The match between 'Emirates Team New Zealand' NZL and 'Mascalzone Latino' ITA, who are tied for second, will further clarify the standings. Presently, these four boats are at the top of the standings with only one point separating them. Strong and gusty northwest winds allowed only two races yesterday: 'Mascalzone Latino' def. TemOrigin GBR. The Brits were pushing hard for the lead but a spinnaker takedown went bad and grinder Mike Mottl was hurt when his leg was caught in a sheet. The boat stopped to ease the sheets and attend to Mottl who stayed aboard to finish the race before getting medical attention. The diagnosis was no broken bones, but a deeply torn muscle. In the other race 'All4One' beat 'Aleph' Sailing Team,' FRA. The event Web site.
Wednesday, 2. June 2010 (Image © Sander Van den Borch)
With a victory over 'Emirates Team New Zealand' NZL, 'Artemis' SWE yesterday claimed sole possession of the lead at the Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena. America's Cup Defender, 'BMW Oracle Racing' USA however bowed out of the competition, along with 'Aleph Sailing Team' FRA', despite two race wins after failing to make the cut for the next round. After six races in winds ranging from 15 to 20, 'Artemis' is ahead with 6 points followed by the Kiwis and 'Synergy' RUS with 5 each. Yesterday's match results: 'BMW Oracle Racing' def. Mascalzone Latino ITA, 'Artemis' def. 'Emirates Team New Zealand', 'Mascalzone Latino def. 'Aleph', 'Luna Rossa' ITA def 'Aleph', 'BMW Oracle Racing def. 'Azzurra' ITA, 'Azzurra' def. 'TeamOrigin' GBR. Details on the event Web site.
Tuesday, 1. June 2010
Yesterday, the forecast mistral raged in La Maddalena. With gusts well over 30 knots, all racing was canceled. The forecast for Tuesday predicts the wind should return to 'sailable' strength with another wallop late in the afternoon. All this doesn't help as the event runs behind schedule and only has two boats, but no word on program revisions yet. Co-leaders are 'Artemis' SWE, and 'Emirates Team New Zealand' NZL at 5-2 followed by 'Synergy' RUS, with a 5-4 record. More info on the event Web site.
Tuesday, 1. June 2010
Last week the International Sailing Federation published their comments regarding the report of America's Cup Race Officer Harold Bennett who conducted the races of America's Cup 33 off Valencia ESP last February. Some might still remember the brouhaha caused by the mutiny of the Swiss representatives aboard the committee boat prior to the second race. Bennett recruited other helpers and got the race off, which BMWOracle Racing won in convincing fashion. ISAF more or less recognized that the race was run fairly, although they did find some nits to pick and they'll study what, if anything, needs to be changed. The ISAF release and a link to Bennett's report.
Monday, 31. May 2010 (Image © Bob Grieser/Outside images)
Sardinia's famous Mistral, the strong and blustery wind from the northwest, is building in strength and only one race was sailed yesterday on flat water and foaming whitecaps. Racing was cancelled for the day. 'Emirates Team New Zealand' NZL def. 'BMW Oracle Racing' USA. A hard-fought battle between New Zealand's Dean Barker and Oracle's James Spithill went the Kiwis' way when the American team lost a penalty call in an aggressive luffing match approaching the second weather mark. 'ETNZ' now is tied for the lead with 'Artemis' SWE and 'Synergy Sailing team' RUS at 5 points all. 'BOR' is ninth with one point. The event Web site, the video and the standings
Sunday, 30. May 2010 (Image © Paul Todd/www.outsideimages.co.nz/Louis Vuitton Trophy)
One point separates the top five boats at the Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena after five races sailed in fresh breezes. 'Synergy Racing Team' RUS 'Artemis' SWE share the top of the point's table, each with five points. 'Emirates Team New Zealand' NZL, TeamOrigin GBR and 'All4One' FRA/GER are all equal third on four points. strong 'Artemis' broke a pole and shredded a gennaker, and 'Emirates Team New Zealand' ripped their jib. Both teams lost their respective races. The day's results: 'TeamOrigin' def. 'Luna Rossa' ITA, 'Azzurra' ITA def. 'Synergy,' 'Artemis def. 'Azzurra', 'Synergy' def. 'Artemis,' (DNF), 'All 4One' def. 'Emirates Team New Zealand'. In other developments: Reversing the disqualification of 'ETNZ' in their race against 'BMWOracle' from Friday for some arcane rig-tension issue, the jury decided on a rematch. The event Web site.
Sunday, 30. May 2010 (Image © Louis Vuitton)
Grant Simmer has been appointed as CEO of Team Origin, the British team currently competing at the Louis Vuitton Trophy. Simmer, most recently the managing director and design co-ordinator for Alinghi, takes on the new position with immediate effect. Simmer's new role as CEO sees him take responsibility for the sporting and technical activities of the team as well as overseeing the commercial operations. He first competed in the America's Cup in 1983 at the age of 27 as navigator on board Australia II. The report.
Saturday, 29. May 2010 (Image © Bob Grieser/Outside images)
'Synergy Racing Team' RUS joined 'Artemis' SWE and 'Emirates Team New Zealand' NZL on top of the points table at the Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena ITA today as unstable wind conditions limited the schedule to just two races. The Russians beat the America's Cup champion 'BMW Oracle Racing' USA and 'Emirates Team New Zealand' went down to 'BOR' on an umpire-initiated penalty for failing to maintain adequate rig tension on the last spinnaker run. It was a break for the US team that is near the bottom of the standings with just two points, including a loss against 'Luna Rossa' ITA on Thursday, despite a man-overboard situation on the Italian boat. The best win-loss record is still owned by Artemis' with 4-1. More on the event Web site.
Friday, 28. May 2010 (Image © Bob Grieser/Outside images)
'Emirates Team New Zealand' NZL won two races today at the Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena to end the day in first with a 4-1 record and tied with 'Artemis' SWE, who lost for the first time yesterday. There was wind all day from the west, shifty and with big speed changes on different parts of the course with gusts up to 20 knots near the weather mark. The Kiwis, third yesterday with two points, deftly dispatched 'Azzurra' ITA and then 'Aleph Sailing Team' FRA. Later 'Mascalzone Latino' ITA beat 'Artemis' which dropped the Swedes into the tie with ETNZ. In the other races, 'TeamOrigin' GBR beat 'Synergy' RUS, 'Luna Rossa' ITA beat 'BMWOracle' USA and 'Synergy' defeated 'Aleph.' More on the event Web site.
Thursday, 27. May 2010 (Image © Bob Grieser/Outside images)
Team 'Artemis' SWE, skippered by Paul Cayard and steered by Terry Hutchinson USA, remains unbeaten after the first half of round robin racing at the Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena. They are 4-0 followed by the French/German 'All4One' team with three points but also three losses. Five teams are tied for third, each with two points. And 'BMWOracle' USA finally got on the board. Yesterday's results: 'Mascalzone Latino' ITA def. 'Synergy' RUS, 'BMWOracle' USA def. 'All4One', 'Emirates Team new Zealand' NZL def. 'Synergy', 'Artemis' def. 'Luna Rossa' ITA, and 'All4One' def. Luna Rossa.' More on the event Web site.
Wednesday, 26. May 2010 (Image © Stefano Gattini/Azzurra.)
The fresh 18-knot breeze made for better racing and for some carbon carnage at the Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena yesterday. A major start line collision seriously damaged both leased BMWOracle boats and led to the disqualification and a three-point penalty for the 'Aleph Sailing Team' FRA. The French struck the stern of 'Azzurra' ITA as the boats sped down the starting line 35 seconds before the gun. No personal injuries were reported, but both boats had to be retired, so the event will continue with the two boats for the time being. The other results: 'Team Synergy' RUS beat 'Luna Rossa' ITA, 'Artemis' SWE (featuring Paul Cayard and Terry Hutchinson USA in the afterguard) defeated winless 'BMWOracle Racing' USA, 'TeamOrigin' GBR edged 'All4One' FRA/GER by 5 seconds, and 'Luna Rossa' ITA defeated 'Emirates Team New Zealand' NZL. The overall lead belongs to undefeated 'Artemis' with 3 points, followed by four teams with 2. At the bottom of the standings 'BMWOracle' with 0 points, and 'Aleph' with –2. The event Web site with the carefully edited Day 4 video that does not show the collision.
Tuesday, 25. May 2010 (Image © Paul Todd/www.outsideimages.co.nz)
Racing continued in light and shifty air at the Louis Vuitton Trophy in La Maddalena on the Italian island of Sardinia. 'Mascalzone Latino' ITA first lost their race to 'All4One' FRA/GER and in addition, the 'rascals' also got docked one point in the jury room for not giving enough room at the first mark rounding and causing contact. 'TeamOrigin' GBR got their first point off 'BMWOracle Racing', which fell to 0-2. In the standings, 'Artemis' is on top, still undefeated, with a 2-0 record, ahead of 'Aleph Sailing Team' FRA and 'All4One' also with two points, but also one loss. The reports, the standings and the gallery.
Monday, 24. May 2010 (Image © Paul Todd/www.outsideimages.co.nz/Louis Vuitton Trophy)
After knocking off 'Azzurra' on Saturday, 'Mascalzone Latino' won a cliffhanger over their other Italian rivals, 'Luna Rossa,' by five seconds on Sunday in light north-easterly winds on the Golfo di Arzachena off La Maddalena. It was first time in seven years of racing in America's Cup boats, that the Latin Rascals defeated Luna Rossa. In the other pairings 'All4One' FRA/GER defeated 'Azzurra' ITA by 20 seconds, 'Aleph Sailing Team' FRA got the better of def America's Cup champions BMW Oracle Racing by 28 seconds in a close contest and 'TeamOrigin' GBR went down in another defeat, this time to 'Artemis' SWE. After Saturday's chute comedy, the Brits hooked a crab pot in the pre-start and went head-to-wind so one crew could jump in and slash the ropes. In the interim standings, 'Aleph' and 'Mascalzone' share the lead with 2-0 records, followed by 'All4One' and 'Artemis' at 1-0. Due to the long delay in racing on Sunday, 'Emirates Team New Zealand' NZL and 'Synergy Russian Sailing Team' RUS have yet to race. See the video on the event Web site.
Sunday, 23. May 2010 (Image © Bob Grieser/Outside images)
Yesterday, only the first two matches were sailed in light conditions at the Louis Vuitton Trophy La Maddalena ITA. Aleph Sailing Team FRA defeated TeamOrigin GBR by a margin of 01:06coming from behind to overtake the Brits after they messed up their chute in a disaster gybe. In Race Two, the Italian duel, 'Mascalzone Latino' beat 'Azzurra' by 2:27, after 'Azzurra', racing under the colors of Sardinia's Yacht Club Costa Smerelda took an 'Ernesto penalty' for entering the start box early. They trailed 'Mascalzone' around the course and never bothered to execute their penalty turn. The sting of the loss was somewhat softened by Inter Milan's win over the German squad of Bayern Munich in then Champions Leage soccer final. The postponed matches will be sailed today. More on the event Web site.
Wednesday, 19. May 2010 (Image © Valencia Sailing)
Yesterday, 19 yacht designers met in Valencia to discuss the next type of Cup yacht. Two different multihulls (20m and 25m LOA) and one monohull (up to 27m LOA, both conceived by Californian designers Bruce Nelson and Morelli/Melvin, were subject of this conference, which was chaired by BMWOracle Racing's design coordinator, Ian Burns. 'The America's Cup is the pinnacle of our sport, so the boats should be physically demanding to race well and produce fast, competitive racing to engage new fans,' said Burns. 'America's Cup boats shouldn't be the last to start racing and the first to quit whilst other classes are still racing,” commented BMWOracle's Russell Coutts. "They also need to be designed from the outset to unleash the full potential of television.” Teams will have the chance to review the new rule before it is finalized and published before September 30. The report.
Wednesday, 19. May 2010 (Image © Carlo Borlenghi)
The controversy about their origin and their losing performance at the last Cup match are all history for Alinghi's sails. Their future is dedicated to a noble cause as they are en route to Haiti for use as tents by the victims of January's earthquake. The Spanish daily, El Mundo, reported that the shipment, which also includes 65 boxes of Alinghi team clothing, left Madrid airport as part of a wider Messengers of Peace charity arrangement. The Alinghi carbon-fiber sails are strong, light and waterproof and will be re-cut and made in to tents at the camps through an on-site work program. With hundreds of thousands still living in the island's temporary camps, the resulting 1,000 shelters will be shared as widely and equally as possible among survivors. Chapeau, Alinghi.
Wednesday, 19. May 2010 (Image © sailjuice.com)
TeamOrigin GBR yesterday announced "that Mike Sanderson has left the team following the decision by Sir Keith Mills, Team Principal, to restructure the organization. This decision has been taken to ensure that the team functions as effectively and efficiently as possible, in order to improve the team's performance and ultimately win the America's Cup.” Sanderson who has been with the team since it was formed in 2007, might have taken the fall for the rather mediocre results the squad around Ben Ainslie turned in at the Louis Vuitton Trophy in Auckland in March and last week at the TP 52 MedCup in Cascais POR, despite being the only team with a brand new boat. A report in YW.
Thursday, 13. May 2010 (Image © Ivo Rovira)
It was a nasty pickle in the America's Cup jar three years ago, when Simon Daubney NZL was found guilty of a doping violation during the Cup in Valencia when he sailed for 'Alinghi' and was suspended for two years by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF). This year however, the eight-time world champion, three-time Olympian and seven-time America's Cup participant is one of five 'Team New Zealand' inductees into the America's Cup Hall of Fame. It is a delicate matter, but also one that needs to be seen in perspective, given the hypocrisy in many other professional sports where doping still is endemic. Other inductees are Warwick Fleury (NZL), Murray Jones (NZL), Dean Phipps (NZL), Mike Drummond (NZL), and Halsey Herreshoff (USA). Full release (PDF) .
Friday, 7. May 2010 (Image © Carlo Borlenghi)
Yesterday's America's Cup 34 press conference in Rome might generate a lot of ink but no real news about the event: No venue, no date and certainly no boat design were announced by the two front men, Russell Coutts for Defender Golden Gate Yacht Club/BMWOracle USA and Vincenzo Onorato of Club Nautico di Roma/Mascalzone Latino ITA, the Challenger of Record. Design work is done on a mono- and a multihull with details to be released by 30 September, one month after the protocol for the next Cup is to be published to specify regatta format and rules. The venue to be announced by December 31, one month before the challenge period closes. So, there are no real news to report, but the party was good and the neckties were nice. Read the rest.
Thursday, 6. May 2010 (Image © sailjuice.com)
Few sailors have won as many important titles as John Kostecki. The two-time winner of US Sailing's Rolex Yachtsman of the Year Award got a silver medal at the 1988 Olympic Games in the Soling class, a win at the 2001-02 Volvo Ocean Race as the skipper for Illbruck Challenge, and last February he won the America's Cup as tactician of BMW Oracle. Here's an excerpt of US Sailing's interview with JK:
What is your favorite sailing achievement and why?
Each of those achievements was very important to me at the time. They're all very hard to do and take a lot of time, energy and focus. It's satisfying now to have won the America's Cup, won the Volvo Ocean Race and to have an Olympic medal. As far as we know, not too many people have done that. So certainly, that's a point of pride.
How important was it for the U.S. to re-claim the America's Cup?
Hopefully it will mean a lot. I know it is part of Larry's (Ellison) vision to elevate the profile of the sport. If it's done the right way, I think it could really improve and energize the sport in the U.S.
Read the entire interview.
What is your favorite sailing achievement and why?
Each of those achievements was very important to me at the time. They're all very hard to do and take a lot of time, energy and focus. It's satisfying now to have won the America's Cup, won the Volvo Ocean Race and to have an Olympic medal. As far as we know, not too many people have done that. So certainly, that's a point of pride.
How important was it for the U.S. to re-claim the America's Cup?
Hopefully it will mean a lot. I know it is part of Larry's (Ellison) vision to elevate the profile of the sport. If it's done the right way, I think it could really improve and energize the sport in the U.S.
Read the entire interview.
Thursday, 6. May 2010 (Image © Paul Todd/www.outsideimages.co.nz/Louis Vuitton Trophy)
The tiny town of La Maddalena in Sardinia prepares to host 10 teams at the Louis Vuitton Trophy from 22nd May through 6th June. Three Italian entries, including the host 'Mascalzone Latino', 'Azzurra' and 'Luna Rossa' will be battling others such as 'BMW/Oracle Racing' and 'Team New Zealand'. Each team will sail every other team once in a single round robin. The top eight teams will advance to the next stage and the round robin seeding will continue to be used in later stages. In the elimination rounds, top-ranked teams are matched against the lower ranked teams. The IACC boats for this event will be ITA 90, ITA 99, USA 87 and USA 98. See the entire story and the list of entries.
Sunday, 2. May 2010 (Image © Ingrid Abery)
The Media Conference by Larry Ellison USA, Cup-Holder 'BMW-Oracle', and Vincenzo Onorato ITA, team-boss of the Challenger of Record 'Mascalzone Latino', next Thursday in Rome, is now expected to set the timelines and procedure for the consultative process, which will be a forerunner to the Protocol and opening of the entry window for the 34th America's Cup. That probably points to a Match date in 2014, venue will likely be San Francisco, as the mood seems to favor this option. Boat design probably will be a box-rule monohull in the 70 to 80-foot range. The report.
Thursday, 22. April 2010 (Image © Paul Todd/www.outsideimages.co.nz/Louis Vuitton Trophy)
One month from now, the Louis Vuitton Trophy will be in La Maddalena on the Italian island of Sardinia, with 10 elite teams set to race in the Mediterranean Sea. The Louis Vuitton Trophy - La Maddalena follows two events in Auckland (February 2010) and Nice (November 2009). More races are planned in Dubai in November and Hong Kong in January of 2011. For La Maddalena, two additional teams will join the eight that competed in Auckland. America's Cup Defender BMW ORACLE Racing will rejoin the circuit after missing Auckland and Luna Rossa, which has competed for the America's Cup three times, winning the Louis Vuitton Cup in 2000, will race for the Louis Vuitton Trophy for the very first time. Luna Rossa's crew includes skipper Ed Baird, winner of the 32nd America's Cup with Alinghi and tactician Torben Grael, who skippered Ericsson to a win in the last Volvo Ocean Race. Read the entire reportwith the entry list.
Tuesday, 20. April 2010
Italian fashion house Prada signalled its return to the America's Cup scene when it announced today that it will compete in the Louis Vuitton Trophy regatta in La Maddalena, Sardinia, next month. Racing under the name Luna Rossa, Patrizio Bertelli, a three-time America's Cup campaigner and chairman of the Prada group, has asked the American Ed Baird to skipper the Louis Vuitton crew and, it is thought, the team will go on to contest the third Lous Vuitton regatta this year, in Dubai, and the first in 2010 in Hong Kong. He will have two Brazilians with nearly two handsful of Olympic medals, Robert Scheidt and Torben Grael, alongside him but will not be with them on the parallel TP52 which joins the Audi MedCup circuit in Cascais, Lisbon, next month. The report in the Independent.
Saturday, 10. April 2010 (Image © Gilles Martin-Raget)
The BMW ORACLE Racing team, winners of the America's Cup in February, will bring the oldest trophy in international sport to the Strictly Sail Pacific sail boat show on its opening day, Thursday, April 15, 2010. The America's Cup will be on display at the West Coast's largest all-sail show at the East Bay's Jack London Square from noon until 6 pm, after which there will be a BMW ORACLE Racing team presentation from 6 to 7 pm. The team presentation is open to the public at no charge and features sailing and design team members in an open and interactive Q+A session, as well as video highlights from the team during its winning campaign for the 33rd America's Cup. Participating BMW ORACLE Racing Team members include Brad Webb (NZL), bowman on the winning race crew; Ian Burns (AUS), design coordinator; and Tom Ehman (USA), head of External Affairs. Read the entire release.
Saturday, 27. March 2010 (Image © File)
The new America's Cup holder Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) announced that an agreement has been reached with the previous America's Cup Trustee, Société Nautique de Genève, that all outstanding litigation in the New York courts concerning the recent 33rd match will be dropped by both sides. This includes GGYC's Breach of Fiduciary Duty ("BFD”) claim against SNG, as well as all other claims over the design and construction of yachts Alinghi 5 and USA. GGYC's representatives have started a consultative process with regard to the venue, timing, format and type of boat for the 34th America's Cup.
Tuesday, 23. March 2010 (Image © AP File photo)
The America's Cup is back in the US after 15 years. The man who won it back, software mogul Larry Ellison, has big plans to make sailing more of a prime-time sports event, bringing more teams to the table by lowering the cost of entry and getting kids hooked on sailing again through better TV coverage. 'We think we can make this extremely attractive and comprehensible. We want some 15-year-old watching this thing, saying, 'Wow, that's cool. I'd love to do that.'' But first Ellison has to do some homework because he has yet to sign two key players to his plans, Russell Coutts and James Spithill. Read the full interview. with Fortune's Adam Lashinsky.
Monday, 22. March 2010 (Image © Arnaud Pilpre/Studio Zedda)
For our readers who missed our weekend coverage of the new Jules Verne record and the Louis Vuitton Trophy, here's the recap of the essentials: Franck Cammas FRA and his warriors on 'Groupama 3' set a new world record for nonstop circumnavigations with a time of 48 days, 07 hours and 44 minutes that represents an average speed of 18.76 knots. After falling more than 500 miles behind after Cape Horn, 'Groupama 3' took only 6 days 10 h and 35' to cross the Northern Atlantic. All told, the trimaran took 2 days, 08 hours and 35 minutes off the old record time for the fastest circumnavigation under sail, which was held by 'Orange 2' since 2005.
Meanwhile on the other side of the world, host Team New Zealand won the Louis Vuitton Trophy Auckland regatta by beating Mascalzone Latino ITA, the Challenger of Record for the 34th America's Cup, with a 2-0 score. Race officials shortened the contest to a best-of-three series due to light and uncertain winds. On their way to the finals,TNZ beat Azzurra ITA 2-1 and Mascalzone beat Artemis SWE 2-1. Azzurra won the Petit Final against Artemis 1-0.
Meanwhile on the other side of the world, host Team New Zealand won the Louis Vuitton Trophy Auckland regatta by beating Mascalzone Latino ITA, the Challenger of Record for the 34th America's Cup, with a 2-0 score. Race officials shortened the contest to a best-of-three series due to light and uncertain winds. On their way to the finals,TNZ beat Azzurra ITA 2-1 and Mascalzone beat Artemis SWE 2-1. Azzurra won the Petit Final against Artemis 1-0.
Monday, 22. March 2010 (Image © Alinghi)
It's been quiet around Alinghi's (former) helmsman Ed Baird before and during the 33rd America's Cup, as his employer opted to sail without one of the world's best match racers. It was a decision that in many commentators' opinion hurt the Alinghi Team in their failed defense against BMWOracle. In an long-ish interview, Baird talks about getting on a Melges 32 as tactician, the future of Alinghi and his main job these days, coaching of his Opti-sailing kids. Read the interview.
Sunday, 21. March 2010 (Image © Bob Grieser)
Winning the only race of the day - the race management decided to reduce the final to a best-of-three match because of the uncertain weather conditions - Emirates Team NZL with Dean Barker NZL at the helm defeated the surprisingly strong 'Mascalzone Latino' (Gavin Brady NZL) team with 2-0, taking home the Louis Vuitton Tropjy on their home waters, as expected. The report. The next round of the Louis Vuitton Trophy follows in May off Sardinia.
Whereas the 'old' America's Cup is still celebrated on different occasions, the future of this event is not at all clear, as the responsibles of BMW-Oracle did not yet reveal whether mono- or multhills will be used. This decision will without doubt have an influence on the number of participants.
Re the still pending Court decisions between the new Cupholder BMW-Oracle and Alinghi, due for early March, the situation remains quiet. It seems that negotiations for an out-of-court settlement are underway.
Whereas the 'old' America's Cup is still celebrated on different occasions, the future of this event is not at all clear, as the responsibles of BMW-Oracle did not yet reveal whether mono- or multhills will be used. This decision will without doubt have an influence on the number of participants.
Re the still pending Court decisions between the new Cupholder BMW-Oracle and Alinghi, due for early March, the situation remains quiet. It seems that negotiations for an out-of-court settlement are underway.
Saturday, 20. March 2010 (Image © Paul Todd/www.outsideimages.co.nz/Louis Vuitton Trophy)
After staving off elimination by a hair yesterday, Team New Zealand and Dean Barker changed character over night and re-established themselves as favorites here. First they defeated 'Azzurra, and Francesco Bruni ITA in the third and decisive semifinal. After this warm-up they did a number on 'Mascalzone Latino' and skipper Gavin Brady NZL in the first race of the finals, by blocking the Italians outside the committee boat at the start. But 'Mascalzone' stormed back to lead at the end of the first lap only to surrender the slim lead again by splitting tacks with the Kiwis who ferociously defended and went on to win.
In the petit final that pitted 'Artemis' SWE against 'Azzurra' the Swedes picked up two penalties, which sealed their fate. First during the dial-up in the pre-start phase and later as the leading boat in a windward-leeward luffing incident. 'Artemis' had to take the turn for the second penalty immediately, forcing to douse the gennaker, complete the turn before continuing to sail the downwind leg. 'Azzurra' won, but a protest filed by Artemis over the Italians' use of a second spinnaker was pending. In an interview, Artemis skipper Paul Cayard expressed disappointment about the rulings. Racing resumes tomorrow with the rest of the finals. Check the reports, videos and images.
In the petit final that pitted 'Artemis' SWE against 'Azzurra' the Swedes picked up two penalties, which sealed their fate. First during the dial-up in the pre-start phase and later as the leading boat in a windward-leeward luffing incident. 'Artemis' had to take the turn for the second penalty immediately, forcing to douse the gennaker, complete the turn before continuing to sail the downwind leg. 'Azzurra' won, but a protest filed by Artemis over the Italians' use of a second spinnaker was pending. In an interview, Artemis skipper Paul Cayard expressed disappointment about the rulings. Racing resumes tomorrow with the rest of the finals. Check the reports, videos and images.
Friday, 19. March 2010 (Image © Paul Todd/www.outsideimages.co.nz/Louis Vuitton Trophy)
It took three races, but the America's Cup Challenger of Record, 'Mascalzone Latino' and skipper Gavin Brady NZL, pulled it off. After a fairly easy win in the first of their semifinal races against 'Artemis', they were over early in the second, essentially handing the win to the Swedish team. In race three, 'Mascalzone' held 'Artemis' in check to advance to the finals. In the other pairing 'Azzurra' with Francesco Bruni ITA incurred a penalty on the first beat in their race against 'Team New Zealand' but they got two breaks. First TNZ had problems with a sheet under the bow, which kept them from gybing on the first downwind, then they caught a shift and better pressure on the second beat which but them ahead far enough to wipe off their penalty and win the race to go up 1-0. In the second race, 'Azzurra' hung a pre-start penalty on 'TNZ,' but the Kiwis, holding a 135-meter lead, managed to do their penalty turn at the finish line, winning by a whisker and evening the series at 1-1. Decision on Saturday. See all the results and the videos.
Thursday, 18. March 2010 (Image © Paul Todd)
After a postponement due to lack of wind, the second elimination round was sailed at the Louis Vuitton Trophy in Auckland, New Zealand. Conditions forced the race management to replace the best-of-three format with a knockout system. 'Artemis' skippered by Paul Cayard USA eliminated 'Team Origin' with Ben Ainslie GBR, which was a fitting end for the Brits after a rather disappointing performance here. In the second match of the day, 'Azzurra' with Francisco Bruni ITA at the helm, took care of 'All4One' with Sébastien Col FRA and Jochen Schümann GER, who dug themselves into a deep hole with a penalty.
The pairings for tomorrow's semifinals are 'Team New Zealand' vs 'Azzurra' and 'Mascalzone Latino' vs 'Artemis'. The event-website with photos and the videos of the day.
The pairings for tomorrow's semifinals are 'Team New Zealand' vs 'Azzurra' and 'Mascalzone Latino' vs 'Artemis'. The event-website with photos and the videos of the day.
Wednesday, 17. March 2010 (Image © Paul Todd/www.outsideimages.co.nz/Louis Vuitton Trophy)
Correction: At the Louis Vuitton Trophy in Auckland, New Zealand, 'Team Aleph' FRA and Synergy' RUS were eliminated after losing to the teams with the best records, 'Mascalzone Latino' ITA and 'Team New Zealand' NZL respectively. In the other pairings, 'Artemis' SWE beat 'Azzurra' ITA while 'TeamOrigin' GBR beat 'ALL4One' GER/FRA. We regret this error in yesterday's edition.
TNZ and Mascalzone have advanced while the others sail another elimination round. ALL4One will battle 'Azzurra' and 'TeamOrigin is up against 'Artemis' to determine the other two semifinalists. The format is best of three, meaning the first to win two races will advance. Reports and live viewing.
TNZ and Mascalzone have advanced while the others sail another elimination round. ALL4One will battle 'Azzurra' and 'TeamOrigin is up against 'Artemis' to determine the other two semifinalists. The format is best of three, meaning the first to win two races will advance. Reports and live viewing.
Tuesday, 16. March 2010 (Image © Paul Todd)
Today, the Round Robin at the Louis Vuitton Trophy finished on a high note. In the all-Italian showdown 'Mascalzone Latino' (Gavin Brady NZL) kept the upper hand over 'Azzurra' (Francesco Bruni ITA), to secure a spot in the semifinals with a 5-2 score. There they are joining Team New Zealand' (Dean Barker NZL) who were already qualified with a 6-1 record. 'Team Aleph' (Bertrand Pacé FRA), 1-6, and 'Synergy' (Karol Jablonski POL), 0-7 are excused from competition. The remaining four teams with a 4-3 score, 'All4One GER/FRA, 'Azzurra' ITA, 'Artemis' SWE and 'TeamOrigin' GBR will sail a Repechage to determine the other semifinalists. The results and the event-website.
Tuesday, 16. March 2010 (Image © BMWOracle/Gilles-Martin Raget)
The Cup, which was won one month ago by the American team BMW ORACLE Racing, has been residing in its new home at the Golden Gate Yacht Club in San Francisco. Now it is in Auckland to be put on display for public viewing at Voyager, the New Zealand Maritime Museum, at the Viaduct Harbour, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week from 1100 until 1600 (1530 on Thursday). The Museum is putting on special rates of just $5 per adult, with free admission for children 14 and under. 'It's appropriate that we bring the trophy to Auckland this week,' Russell Coutts, the CEO of BMWOracle Racing said. Helming Team New Zealand, he lifted the Cup from the US in 1995, defended it for the Kiwis in 2000 and he also took it with him to Switzerland when he skippered Cup winner Alinghi in 2003. See the press release.
Monday, 15. March 2010 (Image © Sander Van den Borch)
Too much wind again for the intrepid match racers at the Louis Vuitton Trophy in Auckland, New Zealand. After only one race in Flight 6, the RC pulled the plug, but the only match they got in brought a hefty surprise, as previously unbeaten 'Team New Zealand' lost to the lowly 'Aleph' Team FRA. Regardless, the Kiwis are guaranteed a spot in the semifinals, while the French will have their final race tomorrow. The report.
Monday, 15. March 2010 (Image © www.travelblog.org)
Although San Francisco is the clear front runner as the venue for the next America's Cup, Newport, Rhode Island, and San Diego, Calif. have not given up. Newport wants to www.pbn.com/detail/48553.html]host[/url] the event, hoping to return to the glory of the past, while San Diego has formed a committee to consider various scenarios. All this, because San Francisco does not have a lot of suitable venues at this point that would lend themselves to the development of an America's Cup village with team bases and the associated facilities.
Sunday, 14. March 2010 (Image © Paul Todd)
Taking advantage of home field and prevailing against co-favorite 'Azzura' (Francesco Bruni ITA), 'Team New Zealand' (Dean Barker NZL) remains unbeaten, while 'Artemis' (Paul Cayard SWE) lost a vital match on a penalty call to' Mascalzone Latino' (Gavin Brady ITA) during the Louis Vuitton Trophy in Auckland. With just two days of racing remaining before the end of the round robin, four teams are tied for second place, each with three points: 'All4One' (GER/FRA), 'Azzurra' and 'Mascalzone Latino' ITA and 'TeamOrigin' GBR. Winless 'Synergy' (Karol Jablonski POL) and 'Aleph' (Bertrand Pacé FRA) are excused from competition. The standings and the event-website with reports, videos and photos.
Saturday, 13. March 2010 (Image © Ian Roman)
Four of seven flights have been sailed and the standings are now more representative with two dominating teams, viz. the undefeated 'Emirates Team NZL' (Dean Barker NZL), 4-0 and 'Azzurra' (Francesco Bruni ITA), 3-1. The first two teams will be qualified directly for the semi-finals, the last two - at present 'Aleph' (Bertrand Pacé FRA) and 'Synergy' (Karol Jablonski POL), both without win - will be eliminated. The other teams will sail a repechage to select the two other semi-finalists. Much excitement will be guaranteed with 'Team Origin', 'All4One', 'Mascalzone Latino' and 'Artemis' all with a 2-2 score for the moment. The official website with reports, photos and videos of the day.
Friday, 12. March 2010 (Image © Paul Todd/www.outsideimages.co.nz/Louis Vuitton Trophy)
Too much of a good thing can be wonderful, or just plain too much. The latter was the case yesterday when the proceedings at the Louis Vuitton Trophy came to a screetching halt because winds from the southwest were gusting well above 20 knots. Blustery conditions are expected to stick around for a few days, so there might be some hard sailing, perhaps some breakage, and a great show for spectators in Waitemata Harbor. Racing for Saturday looks possible, with lighter air in the morning, picking up as the day goes on – to 15 knots early afternoon, then 20 later in the day. The image gallery,
Friday, 12. March 2010 (Image © Pierre Orphanidis)
For anyone involved in the America's Cup, the ups and downs constitute a fact of life. If you happen to be the winning team, then the moment your yacht crosses the finish line victorious, a brand new cycle starts. On the other hand, if you are any of the remaining teams, an uncertain future lies ahead of you. It has always been like that and this time it isn't any different. Yet one thing is to wind down in an orderly fashion and a completely different story is what we saw on Thursday morning in Port America's Cup. To our great surprise, the main entrance of the South African base has been sealed by the Spanish police and the team has been ordered to empty it and vacate it. The boat shed is open and, most probably, the shore crew will have to start packing very soon and try to find a temporary storage somewhere else. Whatever the reason might be, this is a truly sad end for the first ever America's Cup team from the African continent.
Thursday, 11. March 2010 (Image © Paul Todd/www.outsideimages.co.nz/Louis Vuitton Trophy)
Whitewater on the deck, whitecaps on the Waitemata and warning whistles on the onboard overload alarms characterized the sailing today at the Louis Vuitton Trophy Auckland regatta. Racing moved closer to the city front today as the Sou'wester funneled down the harbor, with puffs into the low 20-knot range. After three days of competition, ''Emirates Team New Zealand' is still undefeated (three wins) while three teams each have a 2-1 record. They are the German/French team 'All4One', the Swedish team 'Artemis' and 'Azzurra' from Italy. 'TeamOrigin' GBR lost to the host 'ETNZ' and is seventh with only one point. Browse the image gallery..
Thursday, 11. March 2010 (Image © File)
The San Francisco Examiner reported that the Port Commission voted to do "everything possible” to bring the 34th America's Cup race to town. It doesn't appear that any site north of the Bay Bridge — including future cruise terminal Pier 27 and Fort Mason — is large enough to host the international race, said Michael Cohen, director of the Mayor's Office of Economic and Workforce Development. But the 13-acre site at piers 30 and 32, in the shadow of the Bay Bridge, may have a jump on other southern waterfront sites. But piers 30 and 32 are not without obstacles. In September, the tire of a heavily loaded truck punched through the aging piers' deteriorating concrete slab.
Wednesday, 10. March 2010 (Image © Louis Vuitton)
The second day of the Louis Vuitton Trophy in Auckland, New Zealand, brought four matches of Flight 2 in the first round robin. Waitemata Harbor dished out some fine conditions with moderate breeze and flat water. 'Emirates Team NZL' (Dean Barker NZL) against 'Mascalzone Latino' and 'Azzurra' (Francesco Bruni ITA) against 'Synergy' (Karol Jablonski POL) scored their second wins. With this, the two most cited favorites are already on top, followed by 'TeamOrigin', 'Artemis' and 'All4One' with 1 victory each. The results, photos und video.
Tuesday, 9. March 2010 (Image © Louis Vuitton)
After the mega multihulls had their day in the sun at America's Cup 33 a few weeks ago, it's back to good-ol' lead-mine matchracing. The eight teams that entered in the Louis Vuitton Trophy Series in Auckland NZL (without BMW-Oracle and Alinghi) sail on the old IACC boats provided by Emirates Team New Zealand. There's one round robin with each team meeting all other teams once and a one-race knockout that sends two teams to the semi finals and two teams packing. A round robin with the remaining four teams determines the other two semifinalists. The semifinal will be sailed as best-of-three series while the final will be best of five.
In todays firs flight ALL4ONE FRA/GER defeated Mascalzone Latino by 44 seconds, Azzurra ITA came form behind to beat Team Origin GBR and emirates Team New Zealand NZL defeated Artemis by 1 in 40 seconds. The french ALEPH Sailing Team won against Synergy Russian Sailing Team. Results and live coverage.
In todays firs flight ALL4ONE FRA/GER defeated Mascalzone Latino by 44 seconds, Azzurra ITA came form behind to beat Team Origin GBR and emirates Team New Zealand NZL defeated Artemis by 1 in 40 seconds. The french ALEPH Sailing Team won against Synergy Russian Sailing Team. Results and live coverage.
Tuesday, 9. March 2010 (Image © BMWOracle)
Two reports in the New Zealand daily 'NZ Herald' caused some concern among Cup aficionados. One suggests Russell Coutts could be planning a raid on Alinghi: 'There's a few of the Alinghi guys, quite a few of them, that any team will target. Murray Jones is certainly one of the guys who has got plenty of skills, his record speaks for itself,' Coutts said. "There are others as well. It will be interesting to see what happens there over the next six to 12 months with the teams and these people. I think there will be some shuffling.' According to the Herald, Coutts also confirmed San Francisco's pole position to become the venue for America's Cup 34 in 2013. But there is more, the Herald
hints at the possibility that Russell Coutts might consider walking away from the America's Cup undefeated, after winning the trophy with teams from three different countries for family reasons. Does that mean he's leaving Larry in the lurch? 'I'm still deciding what to do in the future. I don't want to rush things on that,' Coutts was quoted.
hints at the possibility that Russell Coutts might consider walking away from the America's Cup undefeated, after winning the trophy with teams from three different countries for family reasons. Does that mean he's leaving Larry in the lurch? 'I'm still deciding what to do in the future. I don't want to rush things on that,' Coutts was quoted.
Thursday, 4. March 2010 (Image © Archiv)
Sail World reports that the Breach of Fiduciary Duty action leveled by the former America's Cup Challenger Golden Gate Yacht Club against the former defender Societe Nautique de Geneve, is due by March 8. The second action relating to the Constructed in Country issue about Alinghi's sails built by North Sails in the US, is due back in the New York Supreme Court on March 10. Alinghi executives Ernesto Bertarelli and skipper Brad Butterworth indicated they would not be entering the 34th America's Cup while they were being sued by BMWOracle and the new Defender has not announced that they would let these issues slide.
Then there's the mutiny: According to a letter published on Sailing Anarchy, Societe Nautique de Geneve's vice commodore Fred Meyer justified the action of SNG's race committee before the start of the second race with concern about spectator boats in the area, improper sea state (the waves were too high) and the possibility of the race finishing after dark. When PRO Harold Bennett decided to start anyway the SNG committee members quit and retired to the cabin '[rather] than enforcing the Race Committee decision by physical means…' No word yet from ISAF who appointed Bennett.
Then there's the mutiny: According to a letter published on Sailing Anarchy, Societe Nautique de Geneve's vice commodore Fred Meyer justified the action of SNG's race committee before the start of the second race with concern about spectator boats in the area, improper sea state (the waves were too high) and the possibility of the race finishing after dark. When PRO Harold Bennett decided to start anyway the SNG committee members quit and retired to the cabin '[rather] than enforcing the Race Committee decision by physical means…' No word yet from ISAF who appointed Bennett.
Wednesday, 3. March 2010 (Image © Archive)
Now that the painful proceedings before and at the 33rd America's Cup are history, the powers are working behind the scenes to reinvigorate the event. To that end, the Louis Vuitton Trophy that is to be sailed in Auckland, New Zealand soon could become an important step on the road to recovery for the Cup. That's at least what Emirates Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton believes. "I think having some level of clarity with the America's Cup absolutely gives [this event] more teeth. It is the first regatta of the next America's Cup, and it just happens to be in Auckland, which is great," said Dalton. Story in the NZ Herald.
Monday, 1. March 2010 (Image © Americas Cup Charters)
State leaders have established an America's Cup 2013 Planning Committee to create a pitch to lure the America's Cup challenge back to Rhode Island. The governor's office along with Senate President M. Teresa Paiva Weed and House Speaker Gordon D. Fox, announced Friday that it has formed the committee, to be coordinated through the Economic Development Corporation.
The group, which will include a combination of yachting experts, Newport administrators and state officials, will meet for the first time next week, said EDC Executive Director Keith Stokes.
"The goal is to assess the existing marine assets and facilities we have so we can create a formal proposal for the America's Cup races,” Stokes said in an interview Friday.
Read the report in the Providence Journal.
The group, which will include a combination of yachting experts, Newport administrators and state officials, will meet for the first time next week, said EDC Executive Director Keith Stokes.
"The goal is to assess the existing marine assets and facilities we have so we can create a formal proposal for the America's Cup races,” Stokes said in an interview Friday.
Read the report in the Providence Journal.
Thursday, 25. February 2010 (Image © Sally Collision)
The Italian Mascalzone Latino Team has confirmed the participation as the 8th entrant at the Louis Vuitton Trophy in Auckland, which has become a must-do event for the new America's Cup Challenger of Record. The Auckland series begins on March 9 and lasts 12 days. The matches will take place on the old version 5 IACC boats of the Emirates Team NZL. Check out the report.
