BMW Oracle returns to competition this month

[Source: BMW Oracle] The BMW ORACLE Racing team will return to competitive sailing at the end of the month following its win in the 33rd America’s Cup in Valencia in February. First on the agenda is the RC 44 Austria Cup, the second regatta on the 2010 RC 44 Championship Tour where BMW ORACLE Racing will be represented by two boats.

Team owner Larry Ellison (USA) and team CEO Russell Coutts (NZL) will be competing under the BMW ORACLE Racing banner, while the winning skipper of the 33rd America’s Cup team, James Spithill (AUS), will be at the helm of a boat currently named ‘Boat 17’. Crew from the BMW ORACLE Racing team will be sailing on both boats.

The RC 44 Austria Cup is a popular stop on the circuit, set amongst the Austrian Alps on Lake Traunsee. The beautiful mountain lake is surrounded by ‘postcard perfect’ vistas, but the weather can be unpredictable, offering up challenging conditions for racing.

BMW Oracle sailing in the 2009 RC44 Austria Cup. Traunsee, 31 May 2009. Photo copyright Nico Martinez

Ten world-class teams are expected in Austria, including the early leader in the RC 44 Championship, Artemis. The regatta is from April 29th to May 4th.

Following the RC 44 Austria Cup, BMW ORACLE Racing will return to Cup style racing at the Louis Vuitton Trophy in La Maddalena, on the Italian coast of Sardinia, beginning on May 22.

"I’m really looking forward to getting back on the water and racing against the top teams again," said Jimmy Spithill. "Having had a look at the Louis Vuitton Trophy regatta in Auckland in February, I know we have a lot of work ahead of us to get our team competing at the highest level again. The RC 44 circuit and Louis Vuitton Trophy events are a great way for us to start that process."

In addition to competing on the water in La Maddalena, BMW ORACLE Racing will be providing two of the four boats to be used by the Louis Vuitton Trophy teams during the three-week match race event.