Vincenzo Onorato replies to Salvatore Sarno

Salvatore Sarno, owner of Team Shosholoza, the first ever America's Cup challenger to come from Africa, stated in a recent interview in the Italian newspaper Quotidiano Nazionale that the 34th America's Cup was very expensive and as a result Shosholoza wouldn't be taking part. Vincenzo Onorato, owner of Mascalzone Latino, Challenger of Record, sent Quotidiano Nazionale a letter, replying to Captain Sarno's claims. [Note: The translation from the original Italian text is mine]:

I take inspiration from the interview by Captain Sarno in your newspaper to provide my testimony on the current state of the America's Cup and the budgets the teams that will require in order to participate. Captain Sarno is obviously not informed about the latest changes in the Protocol, dating from December 12th, among which it is reported that the entry fee was lowered to US$ 100,000 instead of € 1 million. The performance bond instead of US$ 3 million dropped to US$ 1 million (200,000 by April 1, 2011 and 800,000 by December 31, 2011).

Russell Coutts (left) and Vincenzo Onorato. Rome, 6 May 2010. Photo copyright Gilles Martin-Raget / BMW Oracle

The spirit with which we acted Russell and I was to dramatically reduce costs; the proof is that for the first time in the history of the Cup, during the first two years racing will be held on one-design yachts of 45 feet. This decision was also motivated to provide time for the teams to find sponsors and funding. I have never stated the minimum budget would be € 80 million. It is plausible Captain Sarno could do the next America's Cup with Shosholoza by spending € 17 million as he stated his budget was in the 32nd edition. This is certainly not a budget to win but the Captain Sarno has demonstrated he was able to achieve more than flattering results with limited resources.

The heart of the problem is different: the world economic situation is very different from the ebullient financial markets that marked the 32nd edition. It is correct when Captain Sarno refers to "these times" as "crazy". For Russell and me this has resulted in filling, in reduced terms, the event and therefore the value of the sponsors' investments.

I would also like to remind that Mascalzone Latino's position is not different from that of the other teams. We do not have any sponsors to date, although we have some important negotiations in progress, and it is our subjective interest (to be able to participate in the event) and objective as Challenger of Record (to have many teams in the race), to keep costs as low as possible. We at Mascalzone Latino declare in all honesty that we are struggling to survive. With the same clarity I would have preferred that important teams such as Team Origin and Shosholoza, instead of using pathetic excuses related to the event format, the catamaran revolution and the budgets, to name a few examples, they limited themselves with more dignity in declaring that at this moment they had no money and no prospects for a sponsor.

Sincerely"

Vincenzo Onorato

Video: Ludde Ingvall talks about the Australian challenge in the 34th America's Cup

Ludde Ingvall and Dario Valenza, respectively skipper and project manager of YuuZoo Big Boat Racing, talk about the Australian challenge they submitted for the 34th America's Cup. Despite its length, the video is quite interesting because it allows to see the logic behind the Australian challenge. According to Ingvall we should consider that this challenge has been practically accepted, even if the project lacks any funding. It is surprising that they decide to enter the America's Cup and then start looking for the necessary funds to compete and not the other way round.

Captain Sarno: This America's Cup is very expensive; Shosholoza will not take part

An unknown outside South Africa, Captain Sarno became a household name in the sailing world when he built from scratch Shosholoza, the first ever America's Cup challenger from Africa. An Italian by birth but a fervent South African at heart, Captain Sarno showed the world what the new South Africa was able to do by entering the world's oldest sports trophy competition and managing to have a decent performance despite being absolute beginners with a relatively low budget.

Sarno spoke to the Italian newspaper "Quotidiano Nazionale" about Shosholoza, the America's Cup and why there won't be any South African entry in this edition:

What is happening? Do you ever get stopped by sailing fans that want to ask you about Shosholoza? Can you tell us what they tell you?

"Well, it happens much more often than I would have ever imagined. Shosholoza has remained alive in the minds of sailing fans because everybody could have been in the role of one of my guys. I'm asked whether we'll take part in the next America's Cup and I reply it will be very difficult. Many people want to know what my guys are doing and they are not surprised to learn that almost all of them went back to their original jobs."

Let's step back a few years. How was Shosholoza born?

"Shosholoza was a dream and now it's a reality."

How do you make a dream come true?

"It costs tremendous stress. My son who is an excellent surgeon has always told me there two types of stress: the good one and the bad one. The good one is a product of work you like and projects like Shosholoza: something that tires you but doesn't make you sick. The bad one is produced by people's wickedness but also form work that you don't like. One can fall ill and have his health deteriorate, just like it happened to me due to the wickedness after Shosholoza. I have always been a dreamer, just like the song of Peppino di Capri. As a child, at my home in Nocera, I used to climb the mountain to see a glimpse of the sea, and dreamed of conquering it, one day, sooner or later. I have never stopped, I have always believed in it and in every thing I have done I have always put all my effort and above all my passion."

Is there a secret in all that?

"The secret is simple and complex: you really have to believe in your dream, even if it's a big one; never re-dimension it or settle with anything less. Of course you need a thorough analysis of a project but the most important ingredient is passion and that strange thing you feel in your chest when you think about it, that thing called "feeling" in English. Having that thing you are able to transmit the passion to the rest of people, those that have to follow you and, above all, those that have to finance you. I can guarantee you that people can see if there is true passion."

So, we now come to Shosholoza. When did the adventure really start?

"In the moment I started having a crew of black guys, in 2001. I thought it would be possible to show the world that in the new South Africa, blacks and whites could achieve something good working together, and what stage could be better than the America's Cup? That's when I talked to my sons and wife."

What was the first real step towards the Cup?

"Surely the name. I would have liked to use "Madiba” which is how black people called Mandela, but then I thought someone would insinuate that I wanted to use Mandela, and I profoundly love and respect him to let somebody insinuate something like that. This is why I chose Shosholoza, which is a hymn to team work, just what we wanted."

Professionalism at the highest level, no set working hours and always a thousand unexpected things around the corner. How does the table of sailing's giants look like?

"It's much easier than you think and in any case much easier than my normal job that is full of uncertainties and difficulties of any kind."

And now, that everything seems to have changed with the new catamarans, what will happen to the dear old America's Cup?

"(The expression on Sarno's face becomes dark) It's not a beautiful thing… Larry Ellison has let Coutts do everything, and I think the result is absolutely catastrophic. Aside from the spectacular yachts they wanted to go too far with the evolution. The 90-foot yachts proposed by Alinghi would have provided the same spectacle and would have cost less."

Mascalzone Latino as Challenger of Record?

"Onorato has accepted too many of Russell Coutts' ideas. He offends the intelligence of all Italian sportsmen when he states, in agreement with Coutts, that costs have been reduced and then goes on to say that you need a budget of 80 million euros. By increasing the entry fee to one million and the performance bond to two, they wanted to restrict the number of possible participants. Team Origin and the Germans have stated that a challenge costs much more than the 25 million many have budgeted (including ourselves at Shosholoza). Even if one appreciates the sportsmanship, it seems ridiculous to me that a team has to go to New Zealand to do more or less a sailing course, in order to then think about beating the teachers. Everybody should know that in the previous edition, the French, the Germans, the Chinese and the Swedish had a real budget of 25 million, +39 was at around 20, the New Zealanders at 35 and ourselves at 17. You now need 3 million just to start and then go to New Zealand to train on the fixed-wing catamaran. In short, as stated by the organizers themselves, you need between 40 and 70 million for 3 years: Crazy in these times!"

What will the next America's Cup look like? Putting aside the last strange challenge, can it be better than the 32nd where Shosholoza took part?

"The 32nd America's Cup will go down to history as the most beautiful sailing competition ever. I will never forget Trapani. We will never repeat a similar number of visitor and a similar enthusiasm. The Acts provided that extra thing to the final competition. Without any doubt the next Cup will be spectacular and the yachts (I can't say how many, 4 or maybe 5?) will give a nice show but it won't be match racing. A sort of Formula 1, perhaps that, but is the public ready for such a drastic change? Probably we will need some more time and in any case I hope that at the end, sailing, with or without a fixed wing, will continue to amaze."

However, will a new African challenge be possible again?

"Certainly yes, but not in this edition. The world is still in crisis and the way I see it, mobile phones can only sponsor one or two boats each time..."

BMW pulls out of Oracle Racing

[Source: BMW Oracle] At the end of the year BMW will bring to a close its longstanding partnership with ORACLE Racing and thereby end its involvement in the America's Cup. This is by mutual agreement of both partners. Both parties set ambitious goals and achieved the ultimate objective: winning the America's Cup.

BMW has partnered BMW ORACLE Racing since 2002. Technology and skills have transferred freely between the automaker and sailing team, most notably in the fields of structural engineering and high-modulus composite construction. The result was celebrated in the February when the yacht USA 17, the fastest yacht in the history of the America’s Cup, won the 33rd Match with a resounding 2:0 victory off Valencia, Spain.

"On the design and engineering front, BMW engineers set new benchmarks in terms of intelligent lightweight design," said Ralf Hussmann, General Manager BMW Sports Marketing and Brand Cooperation. "In winning the 33rd America’s Cup, we achieved all of our ambitious goals. We will continue to be involved in the sport on a national level."

"The America’s Cup combines a technological challenge with a sporting one and success is measured by the result on the race course,” added Russell Coutts CEO of BMW ORACLE Racing.

No more BMW in BMW Oracle Racing as of January 1st, 2011. Photo copyright Gilles Martin-Raget

Australian Syndicate Submits Notice of Challenge for the America's Cup

[Source: YuuZoo Big Boat Racing Team] Today a Syndicate of Australians including legendary yachtsman Ludde Ingvall, skipper of the YuuZoo Big Boat Racing Team, has submitted a Notice of Challenge to the defending Golden Gate Yacht Club of San Francisco. The Syndicate aims to bring together nationwide resources and skills in a true people's challenge. Lodging the application reserves a place for Australia to return to competition for the world's oldest international sporting trophy.

Ludde Ingvall: "Excellence in youth sailing is my objective. We want to bring home the many talented Australians sailing for other countries and give them a chance to compete for their country. We want to create a legacy for future generations, something to aspire to, a reason for any Australian youngster to get out there and take part in our wonderful sport of sailing at all levels."

Project manager Dario Valenza: "Bringing an event to Australia would rival Oprah's visit in tourism value as well as boosting Australia's marine industry."

Ludde Ingvall, skipper of YuuZoo at the 2009 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race. Photo copyright ROLEX / Kurt Arrigo

Syndicate member and multi hull expert Peter Baker: "Australia has been the challenger at seven and the defender at one of the 33 America's Cup events so far and has sought to challenge on three other occasions. Australia has provided America's Cup teams worldwide with more members than any other nation in modern times. We want to bring them home. The last America's Cup was won for the USA by an Australian skipper on a boat designed by an Australian racing against another boat designed by an Australian for a Swiss team. Yet Australia has been out of the game for 13 years."

YuuZoo Co Founder Ron Creevey says: "We are delighted and excited about partnering with the Big Boat Racing Team to work on the feasibility for the Australian America's Cup entry. Personally I would like to call on other Australian corporations and individuals to get behind the idea and bring the America's Cup back to Australia. We have watched the cream of Australian talent such as James Spithill and Adam Beashel compete for many countries over the past 20 years and it will be extremely satisfying for YuuZoo to be involved by providing the platform for talented Australians to represent our country."

"The best sailors on the fastest boats" - The F1 of sailing. This is the new format America's Cup: a level playing field where giant, faster than the wind, 22 metre catamarans powered by 40 metre rigid wings fly on the edge of control with one hull in the water and the other metres above. The furious action takes place in locations across the globe including Australia. On courses which are chosen as natural amphitheatres, close to shore where spectators can almost reach out and touch the amazing machines dueling in short races in rapid succession.

An independently managed, ongoing Annual World Tour is planned and part of the Syndicate's strategy is to stage events in Australia.

YuuZoo racing at the 2009 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race. Photo copyright ROLEX / Kurt Arrigo

The new boats will test strength and finesse, require nerves of steel and super fast reflexes. Skills required in all sailing but honed to perfection in the giant AC72 yachts. The new Australian Syndicate wants to bring AC Supporters together in giving young, talented Australian sailors the chance to step up and shine on the world stage.

Ludde Ingvall: "We want to get everyone working together to make possible a true people's challenge for the benefit of all Australians. The new format America's Cup is a once in a lifetime chance to jump to the front of a sporting and technological revolution. Being part of the America's Cup also means bringing races to Australia, fantastic for tourism and the chance for Australian fans to see their team in action. Our aim is to engage the Australian public, corporate Australia and Australian sailing institutions such as yacht clubs and associations. We are undertaking due diligence with well respected business advisors reporting on the economic impact of taking part in what is the third largest sporting event in the world."

The Syndicate is seeking the advice of the sailing community through an Advisory Panel, seeking the support of the Australian public through a Supporters Club and the support of the Australian Government through both Sport and Tourism Authorities. "Most importantly we need the support of the whole Australian sailing community," said Ludde Ingvall.

Video: Rhode Island TV channel reports on America's Cup talks

BMW Oracle officials "very serious" in intent to move forward with Rhode Island

Related documents

- Letter from Stephen Barclay, COO of BMW Oracle, to Keith Stokes, Executive Director of the RI Economic Development Corporation, dated December 17th, 2010

GOLDEN GATE YACHT CLUB
Yacht Road, San Francisco, California USA 94123

December 17, 2010

Mr. Keith Stokes
Executive Director
Rhode Island Economic Development Corp.
Suite 101, 315 Iron Horse Way
Providence, R.I. 02908

Dear Keith,

I would like to thank you for meeting with our team over the past week and, in particular, arranging the meetings yesterday with Governor-elect Chafee and Senate President Paiva-Weed.

Over the past week, you have clearly presented why Rhode Island, and Fort Adams State Park, in particular, has the capability to host the 34th America's Cup, an event that is one of the largest sporting events in the world in terms of economic benefit and mass media audience. In particular, we are impressed with Fort Adams and the possibility of its being the center of public access, use and enjoyment of Narragansett Bay.

We are very serious in our intent to move forward with Rhode Island. There is much to do to meet the timeframes we have set. The Golden Gate Yacht Club has committed to other America's Cup teams that a host city will be announced by December 31, 2010.

On our side we must establish the how the teams, visitors and VIPs will be accommodated and how we will raise the necessary corporate sponsorship. You can greatly assist us by advising on the readiness of Fort Adams to complete the necessary public infrastructure improvements to base the teams and hold the event within the timeframes we have discussed with you and your team.

To demonstrate our interest in working with Rhode Island, I have asked Tom Ehman, a fellow member of the GGYC Board and America's Cup Committee, and head of External Affairs for BMW ORACLE Racing, to attend next Monday's Rhode Island Economic Development Corporation's December board meeting to convey our interest to your Board and the Governor.

I look forward to our continued dialogue over the next several days.

Yours sincerely,

Stephen Barclay
GGYC Board and America's Cup Committee
C.O.O., BMW ORACLE Racing

Adios Valencia...

I never had the slightest doubt this would be taking place, I only thought it would have been in 2011 instead of 2010. As one can observe from the photo, I'm referring to BMW Oracle, the America's Cup defender, permanently leaving its base in Valencia. After more than 5 years in the Spanish city, the holders of the world's oldest sports trophy are packing up in order to leave by January 1st, 2011. When Valencia Sailing visited the base earlier on Monday morning, the most visible sign was the crew stripping the base of any BMW Oracle branding, starting with the giant poster of USA17.

The personnel will only be working a couple of days this week and then definitely leave, handing the base to the crews that will dismantle it. Although this information has not been confirmed, we understand BMW Oracle will be based in Auckland for the next few months.

An era ends now in the America's Cup. After seven years and one month, Valencia ceases to be the "world's sailing capital" and another city will take over. However, with only eleven days left until their deadline, of which 4 are holidays, BMW Oracle would rather hurry up and announce the venue of the 34th America's Cup.

Crews striping all BMW Oracle branding from the base. Valencia, 20 December 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Valencia Sailing talks to Kevin Reed, head of Canada's America's Cup drive

The last time Canada was present in the America's Cup was in Fremantle in 1987 when a combined project from Secret Cove Yacht Club and Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron challenged the Defender from the Royal Perth Yacht Club and got eliminated in the Louis Vuitton Cup round robin.

Fast forward nearly a quarter of a century and it now seems possible that the world's second largest country by area could be once again represented in the competition for the world's oldest sports trophy. Red Maple Racing, led by Toronto financier Kevin Reed, is the project that embodies Canada's drive in the America's Cup. Valencia Sailing talked to Reed about the background, current sate and future of the project.

Valencia Sailing: Let's start with a brief background on the project. What made you try to form an America's Cup challenge?
Kevin Reed: I've certainly been a fan of the America's Cup for perhaps three decades and it's something Canada hasn't had an entry in since 1987. In the last 5-6 years I have been speaking with Paul Henderson, a former ISAF President, about an entry for Canada. All these years, both personally and through the companies I own, I have sponsored many Canadian Olympic athletes, including Canadian Olympic sailors. With the new format America's Cup Race Management and America's Cup Event Authority have prepared it has certainly become very attractive now for Canada to take a look at this. The economics of the old model or at least the last 10-15 years was restrictive but now, Russell Coutts and his team have done a tremendous job transforming it into a business like Formula 1 or other professional sports.

Valencia Sailing: From what I understand, you claim the changes brought by Russell Coutts made the cup interesting for you. Does that mean that the 32nd America's Cup in Valencia or the ones before in Auckland were not interesting from a Canadian perspective?
Kevin Reed: Although very exciting as a fan, it was very prohibitive on the financial side, from a Canadian perspective. I was at the 2007 Cup in Valencia and it was very exciting, a great event and certainly of interest but the new format has allowed us to set up a committee to examine this. We hope to take a decision in the next 45 days if we are going ahead with the challenge but right now with the new format we are very optimistic we should be able to do something for Canada.

Valencia Sailing: At what stage of preparation is the project right now? Will you personally fund it or will you have other backers as well, whether private individuals or companies?
Kevin Reed: In the next 45 days we'll be looking at a few things. One of them is the financing mechanisms. Can we put them in place so that the project is financed not only by me but also Canadian companies that want to sponsor us? In the next area, we believe there is enough Canadian talent to put together an all-Canadian sailing team. Another area we are looking into is the design and build team and again we believe the talent is here. So, we have three things Paul Henderson, myself and the rest of the team are looking at: The financing mechanisms, the sailing and the design and build teams and we are trying to be all-Canadian in all three areas, as much as we can.

Valencia Sailing: Do you believe you can be competitive with a solely Canadian team?
Kevin Reed: We certainly believe we have the talent pool to do that. There is a number of Canadians that have been involved in previous America's Cups as well as other major sailing events and we are convinced this talent pool is right here in Canada.

Valencia Sailing: Let's get back to the issue of costs. In a recent article in the Toronto Star, you mentioned you had in mind a budget of 30 to 45 million dollars. Do you still stick with that figure?
Kevin Reed: Yes, this is what we are looking at for the next three and a half to four years. We think that the annual budget will be between 10 and 12 million dollars. What's important for us is the new format and the fact it continues post-34th America's Cup. That's very important to us because it will help build the Canadian interest in the event, the fan base as well as the Canadian sponsorship dollars. The communication we get from the America's Cup organizers is that they are trying to build this so that it continues after the 34th edition.

Valencia Sailing: You mentioned the interest in Canada. How popular is sailing in Canada? Do you think you'll get a strong base of followers or will it remain a niche event, mainly unnoticed by the mainstream media?
Kevin Reed: Since we haven't had an entry since 1987 it will take some time to get a broader appeal. There is a strong core sailing population in Canada but to get the broad appeal it will take longer. This is why we strongly believe that if we put an all-Canadian team together we will get the media to follow us.

Valencia Sailing: Where will the team be based?
Kevin Reed: That's a good question. We still haven't decided. The challenge will come from the Royal Canadian Yacht Club which is in Toronto. Where we base the team will depend on the race schedule. We will look at it and then decide where it will be the most efficient location to be based. Paul Henderson will decide what the most efficient location for the team to train and live is.

Valencia Sailing: I suppose that from a Canadian perspective, San Francisco is the ideal venue for this edition of the Cup.
Kevin Reed: I would say that America is because we are seeing some communication that perhaps Rhode Island is also on the hunt. Without a doubt, either San Francisco or Rhode Island would be ideal for us. As long as it's in the US it certainly helps a lot to pull together the Canadian support.

Valencia Sailing: If for some reason, even the most remote, the venue is not in the US will that put an end to your challenge?
Kevin Reed: No, it will not stop it but it will make it harder for Canadian sponsors because although the format is to have 5 races next year and 8 in 2012, the big lure, the big attraction is that Challenger and Defender Series will take place in North America. That's very attractive for Canadian sponsors and viewer audience.

Valencia Sailing: What feedback do you get from the potential Canadian sponsors. Do they see an interest in such a project?
Kevin Reed: They sure do. Canada is in great shape, our economy is in great shape, we weathered the downturn extremely well and we've got numerous Canadian companies doing great things around the world and it makes sense to a lot of them to entertain their clients in a world-class event like the America's Cup.

Valencia Sailing: Given the fact Canada has been out of the Cup for almost 25 years you must start from scratch. Do you feel you don't have enough time to set up a competitive team?
Kevin Reed: Time is not our friend. We start we a tight time frame, without a doubt, but as I said we start with a number of great Canadian sailors today that we feel we can pull together and be extremely competitive in our first shot in the next 2-3 years.

Valencia Sailing: Can you give us at least a hint on who the skipper or the principal designer will be?
Kevin Reed: I'll leave that to Paul Henderson if he wishes to disclose. Our number one goal is to make sure the financing mechanisms are in place and once we have that and a commitment from the team we will certainly have a formal announcement. We hope to have that by February.

Valencia Sailing: You mentioned Paul Henderson quite a few times. Is he in charge of the sport part of the team?
Kevin Reed: Paul and I are working hand and hand on this but I focus on the business aspect of it and he focuses on recruiting the sailors.

Valencia Sailing: You are an accomplished ice hockey player and you played competitively in your youth. As a sportsman, how much different is sailing from ice hockey?
Kevin Reed: Well, one is one ice and one is on water that hasn't frozen yet, at least here in Toronto. Both sports have a team aspect where you need everyone to work as one team and I think the similarities are quite striking between ice hockey and sailing. No one person can win it but you need the entire team to win it. For me it's a big attraction because I love team sports and I have always been a big supporter of team sports.

Valencia Sailing: Are you sailor yourself?
Kevin Reed: Yes, I am.

Valencia Sailing: Will you be onboard the yacht during the Cup?
Kevin Reed: First of all we will make sure we put on the boat the people that can win it, after that we will have to take care of our sponsors and if at the end there is a spot I would be happy to go for a ride.

Valencia Sailing: Thanks, is there anything else you would like to add?
Kevin Reed: I can tell you that the America's Cup Race Management and Event Authority have done a tremendous job in trying to help challengers come into this. What they have done for the good of the sport is wonderful and I couldn't say enough good things about how they are trying to help us and all the other challengers to get involved. These guys are first-rate professionals. Russell Coutts, Tom Ehman and their team are doing a great job.

Work on AC45 catamarans moving ahead in New Zealand

[Source: America's Cup] Work on the AC45 catamarans, which the Cup teams will use to race in the 2011 America’s Cup World Series events, is continuing at pace in Warkworth, New Zealand.

Dubbed the ‘little sister with attitude’ in comparison to the enormous AC72 cats the teams will race in the Louis Vuitton Cup and America’s Cup, the first AC45 is scheduled to be launched in the new year, with others rolling off the assembly quickly thereafter. Entered competitors will have a chance to participate in sea trials following the initial launch.

After the 2011 season, the AC45s will be used in the Youth America’s Cup series, developing the next generation of Cup sailors.

Construction of the first AC45 catamaran. Warkworth, 17 December 2010. Photo copyright Ivor Wilkins / America's Cup

Construction of the first AC45 catamaran. Warkworth, 17 December 2010. Photo copyright Ivor Wilkins / America's Cup

Construction of the first AC45 catamaran. Warkworth, 17 December 2010. Photo copyright Ivor Wilkins / America's Cup

Construction of the first AC45 catamaran. Warkworth, 17 December 2010. Photo copyright Ivor Wilkins / America's Cup

Construction of the first AC45 catamaran. Warkworth, 17 December 2010. Photo copyright Ivor Wilkins / America's Cup

Construction of the first AC45 catamaran. Warkworth, 17 December 2010. Photo copyright Ivor Wilkins / America's Cup

Construction of the first AC45 catamaran. Warkworth, 17 December 2010. Photo copyright Ivor Wilkins / America's Cup

America's Cup Protocol changes after Competitor Forum

Related documents

- 34th America's Cup Protocol - Amendment 3

[Source: America's Cup] Changes will further reduce costs, encouraging teams to focus their investments on the water

Several cost-reducing amendments to the America’s Cup rules have been adopted, following recommendations from the Competitor Forum, as well as prospective teams.

To maintain an open dialogue with current and potential teams, America’s Cup Race Management (ACRM) has hosted two briefings to gain insight into the needs of teams. Further discussions between ACRM and the Competitor Forum have resulted in amendments to the Rules that will reduce costs for participants.

“These changes are designed to allow the teams put their initial investments into building their teams and boats,” said Iain Murray, CEO, America’s Cup Race Management (ACRM) and Regatta Director for the 34th America’s Cup. “We are here to help the teams and to ensure that every dollar will be well spent.”

Key points of the Rule Amendments

- Reduce entry fee by USD1.2million and bond requirements by USD2million

- Increase the equipment that ACRM will ship for Competitors to America’s Cup World Series venues

- Give Competitors an additional three months to build their first AC72

- Provide Competitors two additional months with common AC72 design team

Details of the Rule changes were revealed by Iain Murray and Richard Worth, the Chairman of the America’s Cup Event Authority, as they participated in a panel discussion at the World Yacht Racing Forum on Wednesday afternoon in Portugal.

Video: Tom Ehman brings the America's Cup back to New Zealand

Tom Ehman brings the America's Cup back to New Zealand. Auckland, 16 March 2010. Video copyright TV New Zealand

Open letter from Brad Butterworth, seven-time participant to the America’s Cup and four-time winner

[Source: Alinghi] Some have been calling for a rewrite of the America’s Cup Deed of Gift, offering the Defender their own vision for the sailing competition. These shrill calls have been common before every match in recent times, usually from those with no record of success in the Cup. Claims of imminent death of America’s Cup competition have always proven to be greatly exaggerated.

Two American yacht clubs: the New York Yacht Club and the San Diego Yacht Club held the America’s Cup between them for 140 years. For them everything was perfect, “the wind was in their sails,” as some would say. There were no calls then to strip the winner of its trusteeship, to strip the winner of organising the next regatta or for an independent entity to manage the America’s Cup (although they perhaps did pass a few of those Trustee Interpretive Resolutions to keep the challengers at bay.) Now the Cup is again in foreign hands and after nine failed American challenges to get the Cup back – all failing even to make it to the match – it is time (according to some Americans and their fellow travellers) while their tenth challenge is in progress to rewrite the Deed of Gift; to strip the winner of its fruits of victory, making it easier for a challenger to win. If the Deed and the competition it created are really that defective, where were all those reforms when the Cup was in American hands? The answer of course is that it is not defective. The answer is that a few are still having difficulty adjusting to losing the Cup and failing to get it back again. They are now seeking to make winning it easier.

It is important not to judge and write off the competition based on the present difficulties, which will soon pass, but instead to judge with the wider perspective of 150 years of competition. Yes, there have been in our time two rogue challenges without mutual consent and both of those challengers dragged the competition through the courts, but within the 150 year time frame of the competition, these are only brief exceptions, although we all agree it is twice too many. If there is to be a change, all that is needed to help keep disputes out of the courts is to add a simple arbitration clause to the Deed for speedy dispute resolution within the sport so that competition remains on the water. For sure the Deed is not perfect, but it is hardly broken down and in need of major surgery or the wholesale butchery that some now propose.

The mutual consent clause is the key to the Deed, it enables the competition to move and respond to changing times and circumstances. What may look like a good idea now may not be in 10, 50 or 100 years time. The last thing any generation should do is lock in and impose its will on future generations. If anyone wants to manage the competition differently – go and win the Cup and agree it with your challenger of record, it is really that simple. But please don’t pretend to be George Schuyler and paste the vision of what you think the America’s Cup should be on to his Deed. No one is stopping anyone from acquiring a trophy, pen and paper, and creating another competition. Just don’t try to steal Mr Schulyer’s competition to seek credibility for your own.

The America’s Cup is a tough demanding competition. It is, to use the words of my friend and broadcaster P.J. Montgomery, “the Everest of sailing”. These days, however, anyone’s granny can get dragged up Everest for a fee. The Cup, to continue PJ’s climbing analogy, is more like K2: difficult, technical and merciless, and must remain so. The old phrase “there is no second” truly captures the demanding and ruthless spirit of the competition. Defeating the Defender with all its advantages is an essential part of the foundation, history and fabric of the Cup. For those who seek a level playing field, go and race in any of the numerous competitions that exist in the world. Of course what often happens are those that are successful, end up competing in the America’s Cup because it is the ultimate sailing challenge and the ultimate proving ground, with real rewards for the successful. Lowering the mountain serves no one.

When I think of Larry Ellison’s litigious challenge, I am reminded of a comment made by my old friend Dennis Conner in his great book of 1998 “The America’s Cup: The History of Sailing’s Greatest Competition in the Twentieth Century”. He said of the lack of success of our early Kiwi challenges for the Cup:

“Sir Michael [Fay], however would be condemned to repeat the past: This “backdoor man,” who came to Perth with a plastic 12-Metre in 1986-87, and to San Diego with a superyacht in 1988, returned to San Diego in 1992, as we will see, with an oddly designed boat that flew and jibed its spinnaker in an unorthodox fashion. Once the Kiwis came in through the “front door” in 1995, they left with the America’s Cup.”

Great sportsmen seek victory on the field of play, or in our sport; on the high seas. A sportsman seeking to win through the courts or through what Dennis called the “backdoor” only demeans themselves as sportsmen and taints any victory, as well as the sport.

Having challenged for and defended the America’s Cup successfully, I have always found it has been won by designing and building the fastest boat and sailing with the best team. It is hard to win, as it should be for such a trophy. Reducing the challenge might make the conquest easier, but gone is the attraction and achievement.

Changing the Deed to make it easier for challengers to win only cheapens the America’s Cup and reduces George Schuyler’s challenge to succeeding generations of yachtsmen and yachtswomen to emulate America’s 1851 victory to the realms of the ordinary and mundane.

America's Cup yacht racing: Race analysis and physical characteristics of the athletes

Related PDF files

- America's Cup yacht racing: Race analysis and physical characteristics of the athletes

We received from one of our readers a very interesting scientific study, published in the July issue of the Journal of Sports Sciences, concerning the physical demands of America's Cup yacht racing. The study was carried out in Valencia in 2007, during the Louis Vuitton Cup and the actual America's Cup match and was a joint effort of Sports and Medical science institutes in the UK, Valencia and Cape Town.

Although some of the aspects of the study will appear as elementary for America's Cup buffs, there is a considerable amount of interesting data, especially the anthropometric characteristics of the 92 athletes from 2 teams that were studied. There is a "substantial increase in lean body mass over the last three America’s Cups", according to the study. On average, AC sailors get bigger (84kg in the 30th AC, 89kg in the 31st and 94kg in the 32nd) but at the same time leaner (19% body fat, 15% and 13% respectively).

Will the introduction of powered hydraulics in Alinghi 5 put an end to the trend? We certainly hope that grinders will not follow the fate of the Chinese white panda and the polar bear and become yet another endangered species.

Abstract

The America’s Cup is the oldest competing trophy in sport, yet little is known of the nature and intensity of racing or the physical characteristics of the athletes. In this study, aspects of the physical demands of America’s Cup yacht racing were analysed, including the intensity of exercise and activity pattern of "grinding". Anthropometric data were collected from 92 professional male America’s Cup sailors, and fitness data from a top-4 and a lower-7 ranking team during the 32nd America’s Cup. Over the 135 races, mean race duration was 82 min (s=9), with 20 tacks (s=10) and 8 gybes (s=3) per race. Grinding bouts were 5.5 s (s=5.4; range: 2.2–66.3) long, with 143 exercise bouts per race and an exercise-to-rest ratio of 1:6. Mean and peak heart rate was 64% and 92% of maximum for all positions, with bowmen highest (71% and 96%).

Grinders were taller, heavier, and stronger than all other positions. Body fat was similar between positions (13%, s=4). The higher-standard team was stronger and had greater strength endurance, which probably contributed to their quicker manoeuvres. Intensity of exercise was dependent on the similarity of competing boats and the role of the athlete. The short duration and intermittent nature of grinding is indicative of predominantly anaerobic energy provision.

To read the full study, click on the link in the box above

Two years ago this day Alinghi won the 32nd America's Cup in Valencia

Time flies. It was exactly 2 years ago that Alinghi won the 32nd America's Cup here in Valencia and, rightly so, all sailors and fans started a fun-blasted joyful celebration. If only they knew what tremendous blunder their lawyers were about to commit by accepting a paper yacht club as Challenger of Record for the 33rd America's Cup. Eight days later, BMW Oracle issued a challenge and on the 20th of July they started their legal action in the NY State Supreme Court. The rest is history.

Alinghi wins the 32nd America's Cup. Valencia, 3 July 2007. Video copyright Alinghi

+39 Challenge ordered by Valencia court to pay debts to employees

Related Documents

- Valencia Court Order / +39 Challenge /Page 1
- Valencia Court Order / +39 Challenge /Page 2
- Valencia Court Order / +39 Challenge /Page 3
- Valencia Court Order / +39 Challenge /Page 4
- Valencia Court Order / +39 Challenge /Page 5

The 32nd America's Cup finished exactly 2 years ago but it seems that it is doomed to be related to legal procedures and courts. We are not referring to the now famous court case in New York but to the Italian challenger +39 Challenge.

The Italian team was continuously struggling to make ends meet throughout the 32nd edition of the world's oldest sports trophy and its performance was seriously undermined by the financial difficulties it met from 2004 to 2007.

It now appears that its problems didn't finish when the curtain was closed two years ago but, unfortunately, went on. A number of employees filed a lawsuit in the Valencian courts demanding the team, to be exact the company Piu 39 Challenge España, paid the salaries it owed them from April until July 2007. After a number of canceled and postponed hearings, Valencia Social Court #4, finally issued its decision on Monday, June 29, ordering Piu 39 Challenge España paid its debts to its former employees with a 10% surcharge. Piu 39 Challenge España has the right to appeal to the Valencia Region Supreme Court.

The decision is a 5-page document you can access (in Spanish) in the top box. Although it's a public document and anyone can read it by visiting Valencia's main courthouse, the names of the demanding parties have been erased due to privacy reasons.

Bill Koch files amicus brief

Related PDF documents

- Amicus curiae filed by William I. Koch

The "American barrage" of amicus briefs, filed in support of GGYC's position, continues unabated. After the New York Yacht Club and the San Diego Yacht Club it was Bill Koch's turn to file one, right on the first day of the year.

The arguments Koch's lawyers use in order to discredit the CNEV are practically the same to the ones in the other two briefs, but Koch gives much more emphasis on the financial part of the America's Cup. He argues that a one-sided event with all the cards stacked against the challengers will considerably diminish public interest, creating a vicious circle. The less public interest there is, the less sponsorship money will be available for challengers, making it even harder to mount a serious campaign. As a result, according to Koch, "the world's oldest and prestigious international trophy sport will die".

Bill Koch won the 1992 America's Cup with America3after defeating "Il Moro di Venezia" four to one. He was inducted into the America's Cup Hall of Fame in 1993.

According to Wikipedia, William Ingraham Koch is the son of Fred C. Koch, founder of Koch Industries, a business empire based on oil refining that became the largest privately owned company in America. Bill worked in the company but eventually sold his share to his brothers, Charles and David, after a long legal battle.

NY Yacht Club files Amicus curiae brief

Related PDF documents

- Amicus curiae filed by the New York Yacht Club

[Source: New York Yacht Club] The NYYC has been working for more than a year through its America’s Cup Committee, chaired by George Carmany, to help settle a dispute involving participants in the 33rd America’s Cup, specifically the Golden Gate Yacht Club, the Société Nautique de Genève and the Club Nautico Espanol de Vela. Despite our best efforts, we have been unsuccessful in this regard. Feeling an ongoing responsibility to the donor (NYYC-member George Schuyler) as well as the traditions and history of the America’s Cup – and the traditions and history of this club -- we believe it is time in the legal process to make our voice heard.

The America’s Cup Committee has voted to present an amicus-curiae (friend of the court) brief to the Court of Appeals State of New York that is considering the matter. As Commodore I agree with this course of action and have discussed it with all former Commodores, the Executive Committee and the Board of Trustees who likewise have approved this approach. Thus a brief, written by Vincent Monte-Sano, the general counsel of the NYYC and member of its America’s Cup Committee, will be filed before the end of this year.

The NYYC has no personal interest or stake in the outcome of the litigation. Our interest stems solely from the long involvement with the America’s Cup and a desire to have the competition remain faithful to the Deed of Gift, as drafted by George Schulyer, and for the Cup Match and the Challenger-Selection Series to be a fair and even-handed competition.

NYYC’s Views

The Club Nautico Espanol de Vela (CNEV) was in essence the Real Federación Española de Vela (RFEV), the Spanish national yachting federation, in the 2007 America’s Cup in Valencia, Spain. The NYYC believes that CNEV does not satisfy either of the criteria set forth in the Deed of Gift for yacht clubs that may challenge for the America’s Cup; namely that: CNEV is not an “organized Yacht Club” and CNEV does not satisfy the requirement in the Deed of Gift of a challenging yacht club’s “having for its annual regatta an ocean water course on the sea, or an arm of the sea ...”

Further, CNEV seeks to be the “challenger of record,” a special role that requires that the yacht club in question negotiates not just for itself, but rather on behalf of all of the challenging yacht clubs. The NYYC asserts that the “challenger of record” must satisfy the letter and the intent of the criteria set forth in the America’s Cup Deed of Gift and should be totally independent in its representation of the interests of all other challenging yacht clubs in negotiating a Protocol that will govern both the America’s Cup Match and the Challenger-Elimination Series. It is the NYYC’s opinion that CNEV does not fulfill these conditions.

While it would have been very easy for the NYYC to avoid getting involved in this legal controversy, we feel an obligation to the history and traditions of the America’s Cup. Thus we are speaking out at this time.

Major breakthrough in the America's Cup stalemate to take place tonight

There has been a breaking news concerning a major development to take place today that might signal the end of the long battle that is putting a break on the America's Cup.

According to very reliable information we have received, there is a designer meeting to take place later this afternoon in Valencia where Alinghi will let the other 5 challengers (Desafío Español, United Internet Team Germany, Shosholoza, Emirates Team New Zealand and Team Origin) decide upon a key parameter of the design of the new class. The meeting is organized by the Challenger of Record, Desafío Español, and from what we understand, BMW Oracle and Mascalzone Latino have also been invited to attend as simple observers.

We got in contact with America's Cup Management (ACM), in order to verify whether Alinghi has made such a proposal. First of all, Michel Hodara, CEO of ACM, denied there was any kind of agreement between them and BMW Oracle as was speculated lately. On the other hand, he added, Alinghi has made a concrete offer to show they haven't advanced in the design of the new boat and try to lift the last point of resistance of BMW Oracle. It will be up to the 5 challengers to decide that key parameter and BMW Oracle will also have the right to access to that information.

We also contacted to Jason Ker, designer of United Internet Team Germany, in order to know whether this parameter is important and verify to what extent Alinghi are willing to give any advantage (if they have any) away. According to Ker, this parameter is "fundamental" for the design of the new boat. If a team is at an early stage in its design process any modification in that parameter doesn't make all that difference. On the other hand, if a team has advanced to the extent Alinghi was alleged or supposed to have advanced, then they would have to start all over again.

According to Ker, this shows that Alinghi hasn't advanced in the design of their new boat and even if they had they are prepared to give it away.

The ball is now in BMW Oracle's court. All we have to see now is whether this will convince the Americans that the defender has little, if any, headstart over the rest of the current and potential challengers. It appears that was the major fear of the team headed by Russell Coutts.

PS: It seems that our Spanish colleague Pedro Sardina had some of his information correct last week. Today is October 10th and an extremely decisive meeting, that might lead to a deal, is to take place.

America's Cup Match - Day 8: Alinghi wins most thrilling race ever

We couldn't have asked for a better race to drop the curtain of the 32nd America's Cup in Valencia. Alinghi won by just 1 second after a nail biting, roller-coaster race where the lead changed a handful of times and wind speed dropped from 15 to 2 knots a couple of hundred of meters from the finish line.

When the gun was fired at 3pm, weather conditions where excellent. It was a sunny, bright and the sea breeze was constant and strong at 15 knots. Once again, the prestart was intense but without any incidents. In fact during the 7 races of the 32nd America's Cup Match, no penalties were given during the prestarts. Both boats hit the starting line at full speed on starboard tack, Emirates Team Nz on the left and Alinghi on the right.

In a replay of the previous first legs, Alinghi was the first to tack right. The two teams engaged in a tacking duel up the first beat with the New Zealanders always having a small lead. Nevertheless, Alinghi successfully defended the right side and NZL-92 never built the necessary advantage to cross ahead of SUI-100. At the apporach to the top mark, Alinghi pushed Emirates Team NZ over the left layline and rounded 7 seconds ahead of them.

In the first run the tables were turned. Alinghi's crew work was poor and after a couple of very bad gybes, the New Zealanders took the opportunity to pass them. As the two boats were approaching the leeward gate with NZL-92 ahead, history was repeated again. Terry Hutchinson, the New Zealand tactician, again decided to round the left gate while Alinghi went for the right.

The kiwis still rounded the gate 14 seconds ahead of the Swiss but they started the second beat in a tactically-compromised position. Both boats headed to the right side of the course, but again Alinghi had the right advantage. Once again, Emirates Team NZ were unable to gain a lead big enough to cross in front of Alinghi and in the ensuing tacking duel up the beat, the Swiss were closely behind. Adding insult to injury, near the top mark the kiwis took a decision that cost them the race. They went beyond the left layline. While tacking back, Ed Baird had strategically placed SUI-100 to force the kiwis into a port-starboard incident and get them penalized.

It seemed the race was over and Alinghi rounded the top mark ahead of the kiwis and with the advantage of the penalty. During the last leg the press releases talking of Alinghi's victory were getting ready until the winds decided, momentarily, it wouldn't be that easy.

A few hundred meters before the finish line, wind dropped from 11 knots to 2-3 and changed in direction about 120 degrees. Emirates Team NZ were first to drop the spinnaker and hoist their genoa, but Alinghi was caught by surprised. The huge wind shift broke their spinnaker pole and brought their boat to standstill. By the time they dropped the spinnaker and hoisted the genoa, NZL-92 not only had advanced and erased the Swiss advantage, they had gained enough lead to carry out their penalty and still be ahead.

As a result, a few meters before the finish line, the kiwis were ahead and looked as if they were going to steal a last-second victory. Nevertheless, the winds switched back to Alinghi's favor. After circling, NZL-92 stalled while SUI-100 had already picked up enough speed. The last seconds were a real thriller. Alinghi was faster and crossed a split second ahead!!!! Without any doubt this was the best race I watched in Valencia since the beginning of the America's Cup.

Emirates Team NZ and Alinghi in the prestart of the last race of the 32nd America's Cup. Valencia, 3 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team NZ and Alinghi in the prestart of the last race of the 32nd America's Cup. Valencia, 3 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team NZ and Alinghi in the prestart of the last race of the 32nd America's Cup. The prestart was close but without any incidents. Valencia, 3 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Both boats hit the starting line at full speed at the same time. Valencia, 3 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The first stretch of the first leg was a repeat of previous ones. Both boats on starboard tack head toward the left layline. Valencia, 3 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

One of the many tacks during the first leg. Emirates Team NZ never built a lead big enough to cross in front of Alinghi. Valencia, 3 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

One of Alinghi's poorly executed gybes in the first run that gave Emirates Team NZ the opportunity to pass ahead. Valencia, 3 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

At the approach to the leeward gate Emirates Team NZ were leading the race. Valencia, 3 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team NZ go left at the leeward gate and Alinghi right. Valencia, 3 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Again one of the many tacks of the second beat. Emirates Team NZ were again unable to cross in front of Alinghi. Valencia, 3 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Halfway down the last leg Emirates Team NZ were able to shrink most of Alinghi's lead, but still had the penalty to offload. Valencia, 3 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

It ain't over till it's over. While everybody was preparing for Alinghi's victory, the Swiss got caught by the huge wind shift and the edge of their spinnaker pole broke. Valencia, 3 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi are struggling to hoist the genoa... Valencia, 3 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

but when Alinghi finally managed to sort out the problems with the genoa and spinnaker... Valencia, 3 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Kiwi adrenaline was pumping hard as NZL-92 had picked up speed. Valencia, 3 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team NZ successfully offloaded their penalty under the watchful eyes of the umpires... Valencia, 3 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

... and it appeared they were going to cross the finish line ahead of Alinghi... Valencia, 3 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

... but the wind changed its mind once again and a small puff pushed Alinghi ahead. They crossed the finish line a mere second ahead of the kiwis. Valencia, 3 July 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing