BMW Oracle to focus on multihulls; will withdraw from AUDI MedCup

[Source: BMW Oracle] BMW ORACLE Racing said today that it will compete only at the Marseille stop of this year’s Audi MedCup Circuit as the team’s number one priority is to now get ready for the next America’s Cup.

“This is a great circuit, but we have decided to now put our focus very firmly on getting ready for the America’s Cup,” said team skipper Russell Coutts. “We are pleased we will still have a number of our sailing team continuing on the TP circuit with Artemis. “And meanwhile we look forward to a great regatta here in Marseille this week against this highly competitive fleet.”

Competing for the City of Marseille Trophy, USA 17 has Larry Ellison at the helm with Russell Coutts calling tactics. James Spithill is the strategist and Michele Ivaldi the navigator.

Another ten BMW ORACLE Racing team members are in Marseille racing with Torbjorn Tornqvist on board the TP 52 Artemis, with John Kostecki calling tactics.

The team is stepping up its multihull training, including more time on its two X-40 catamarans and with the 60-foot trimaran Groupama 2 in Lorient.

BMW Orace's USA-17 during the practice race of the Marseille TP52 Trophy. This must be the shortest-lived TP52 team, a mere week. Marseille, 2 June 2008. Photo copyright Gilles Martin-Raget / BMW Oracle