Saturday 6 February 2010

America's Cup: BMW ORACLE Racing – ready to race

by Jane Eagleson

At a press conference at the team base in Valencia, Spain, the CEO of BMW ORACLE Racing, Russell Coutts (NZL), said his team is ready to go, ahead of Monday’s first race in the 33rd America’s Cup Match.

“We’re only a few days away from this historic Match and I can tell you everyone on our team is really excited to get to the racing,” he told the assembled media.

“We’re looking forward to what should be a great Match. I think these are two very exciting and demanding boats… Now, it’s great to be preparing for a race in a few days time.”

The founder of the team and a member of the afterguard, Larry Ellison (USA), said he’s looking forward to what he thinks will be one of the greatest regattas in the long history of the America’s Cup.

“This is extreme sailing. This is the ‘X’ version of the America’s Cup. It’s the limits of technology,” he said. “These two boats are the fastest sailboats that have ever been built and they’re going to match off one against the other. I think it’s going to be the greatest spectacle in sailing history and I’m very proud to be a part of it.”

For skipper James Spithill (AUS), the upcoming race is the culmination of nearly three years of work. He can’t wait to get started.

“It’s a dream to be honest. If you told me two and half years ago I’d be sailing a 90 by 90 trimaran with a 68 metre wing sail, I’d think you were crazy,” he said. “We’ve become a little bit accustomed to the boat, but I just took my father down there this morning to show him, and he was just blown away with it. This has been an incredible experience.”

The press conference was streamed live on the internet and is available on both www.bmworacleracing.com [and SailRaceWin] on demand. This was the first live streaming event of many. On Thursday, the team announced its “Race Day” coverage, featuring live, original programming on the race days of the 33rd America’s Cup Match.

Racing in the 33rd America’s Cup Match is scheduled to start at 10:06 CET (04:06 EST, 01:06 PST) on Monday February 8.

BMW ORACLE Racing

America's Cup: BMW ORACLE Racing's Live Player (click to play)



BMW ORACLE Racing

America's Cup: "May the best team win on the water," says Ernesto Bertarelli


Valencia, 05/02/10 Alinghi 5 33rd America's Cup Alinghi Team. Image copyright Guido Trombetta/Alinghi.

by Daphne Morgan Barnicoat

The 33rd America's Cup has been a long time coming, but after two years of litigation from the American challenger the Match between two of the world's most extreme multihulls is just days away.

Ernesto Bertarelli, team president, speaking at the press conference on Friday evening praised his team: “The nice thing is that for the last 10 years I've been sailing with the same people and that has been very important to the whole experience. Three campaigns with almost the same group make each day more interesting and more rewarding. The fact that the heart of the team has been the same since the very, very beginning makes this America's Cup campaign rewarding and I wouldn't be here today without all the members of the Alinghi team. I'll be helming but I'll be sharing the helm with Loïck Peyron. Neither of us would be able to do our job without the other guys onboard and the team ashore.”

Alinghi has designed and built Alinghi 5, a 90ft catamaran on load waterline that spans 110ft overall, with a mast that towers more than 17-storeys above the sailors and settles on a foundation the size of a tennis ball. The boat has taken approximately 100,000-man-hours to build and is deeply rooted in the multihull heritage that Switzerland is so well-known for.

“Designing and building Alinghi 5 has been a huge ask in such a short timeframe, and the guys on the design and shore team have done an extraordinary job in giving us this boat. Our opponent is formidable, BMW Oracle has a very good sailor in James Spithill and their boat is a credit to their design team. I speak for all of us on the sailing team when I say we are looking forward to racing and getting the sport back on the water where it belongs,” said team skipper and four-time America's Cup winner, Brad Butterworth.

Racing is scheduled to start on Monday, with a first race warning signal at 10:00 – weather permitting – and the team will be watching, as Grant Simmer, design team coordinator describes: “From the design team's point of view, we are looking forward to Monday. It has been almost two years since we started work on Alinghi 5 and it will be fantastic to finally see her on the starting line. Thanks go to each and every team member.”

Alinghi

Extreme Sailing Series Asia: Video of Oman Sail Masirah Winning the Series



Extreme Sailing Series Asia

America's Cup: Images of Alinghi 5 in Valencia

Note: These images include photos by a new team photographer, by the name of Ed Baird, and of a new crew member, a parakeet.


Alinghi 5 and Larry Ellison's Rising Sun in Valencia. Image copyright George Johns/Alinghi.


Image copyright George Johns/Alinghi.


Image copyright George Johns/Alinghi.


Image copyright George Johns/Alinghi.


Image copyright George Johns/Alinghi.


Image copyright George Johns/Alinghi.


Image copyright George Johns/Alinghi.


Image copyright George Johns/Alinghi.


Image copyright George Johns/Alinghi.


Image copyright George Johns/Alinghi.


Image copyright George Johns/Alinghi.


Image copyright George Johns/Alinghi.


Image copyright Ed Baird/Alinghi.


Image copyright Ed Baird/Alinghi.


Image copyright Ed Baird/Alinghi.


Image copyright Carlo Borlenghi/Alinghi.


Image copyright Carlo Borlenghi/Alinghi.


Image copyright Carlo Borlenghi/Alinghi.


Image copyright Carlo Borlenghi/Alinghi.


Image copyright Carlo Borlenghi/Alinghi.


Image copyright Carlo Borlenghi/Alinghi.


Image copyright Carlo Borlenghi/Alinghi.


Image copyright Carlo Borlenghi/Alinghi.


Image copyright Carlo Borlenghi/Alinghi.

Alinghi

Extreme Sailing Series Asia: Images from Racing in Muscat


Extreme 40s racing on Day 4 of the Extreme Sailing Series Asia, Muscat. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images/OC Events.


Extreme 40s racing on Day 4 of the Extreme Sailing Series Asia, Muscat. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images/OC Events.


Extreme 40s racing on Day 4 of the Extreme Sailing Series Asia, Muscat. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images/OC Events.


Extreme 40s racing on day 4 of the Extreme Sailing Series Asia: Muscat. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images/OC Events.


Extreme 40s racing on day 4 of the Extreme Sailing Series Asia: Muscat. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images/OC Events.


The Wave, Muscat racing on the final day at Muscat. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images/OC Events.


Rumbo Almeria racing on the final day of the Extreme Sailing Series Asia, Muscat. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images/OC Events.


Red Bull Extreme Sailing Team rounding the race mark on the final day of the Extreme Sailing Series Asia, Muscat. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images/OC Events.

Extreme Sailing Series Asia

Extreme Sailing Series Asia: Victory for Oman Sail Masirah in the Inaugural Asia Series

First European champions, now Oman Sail Masirah is crowned champion of the Extreme Sailing Series Asia. This event was billed locally as 'Oman Sail versus The World' and they came out on top in style. It was a great victory on their home soil and it went to the wire with Masirah winning the final race of the Muscat event to clinch both the regatta title and take the Extreme Sailing Series Asia crown. The Wave, Muscat and China Team completed the podium in 2nd and 3rd also for the regatta and overall


Fleet racing on the final day of the Extreme Sailing Series Asia, Muscat. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images/OC Events.

by Emily Caroe

This three-event Asian tour has seen many familiar faces from the European tour, such as, double Olympic Gold Medalist Shirley Robertson, solo round the world skipper Nick Moloney and European Champion Pete Cumming, whilst newcomers Thierry Barot on China Team and Roman Hagara on Red Bull Extreme Sailing have gone from a 'standing start' to put in an awesome performance, pushing the more seasoned racers all the way.


Oman Sail Masirah crowned winners of the final event in Muscat and the overall Series. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images/OC Events.

The Asian circuit kicked off in Hong Kong, then Singapore before ending here in Muscat at a full public event:

"It was very impressive, right in front of the public but still this sport is very intense, delivery is very high in terms of tactics and strategies. I really believe it is the future of sailing," said China Team skipper Thierry Barot. "This is what sailing needs in term of development - the Extreme Sailing Series is a sport in itself."

At the start of the fifth and final day of the Extreme Sailing Series Asia Muscat event there were a few worried and tense looking sailors on the dockside - the wind was blowing over 20 knots and the anticipation of some tense battles ahead only heightened the stakes. Thierry Barot's China Team and Paul Campbell-James and the crew on The Wave, Muscat were on equal points at the start of racing with Masirah just one point behind and it was clear this was where the battle for the podium would be taking place.


Red Bull Extreme Sailing Team racing on day 3 at Muscat. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images/OC Events.

Red Bull Extreme Sailing who suffered a capsize yesterday were just one point ahead of Nick Moloney's BT, whilst Shirley Robinson on Rumbo Almeria knew she could play catch up if things went in her favour. The scene was set for an awesome display of Extreme racing.

As the local crowds gathered on Al-Hail beach for the final day of the 'Extreme Beach Party', racing got underway with two rounds of 'speed runs'.
The reefed Extreme 40s relished these high-speed conditions courtesy of the 20+ knots of north-westerly wind, and flew down the windward/leeward course flying the hulls in front of the packed VIP platform.

As the wind dropped to around 10 knots, the huge mainsails were hoisted to the top of the masts, and fleet racing began. The Oman Sail boats led the way - first place for The Wave, Muscat and second for Masirah. China Team finished fourth place behind BT, putting them 6 points behind leaders. Another drama for Red Bull as their mainsail came tumbling down mid-race. They quickly hoisted a man of the mast to sort it out and were back racing in time for the penultimate race.


Oman Sail Masirah crew onboard on the final day at Muscat. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images/OC Events.

The pressure was at the max... The skippers jostling for position on the short start line - Paul Campbell-James misjudged the start and was over the line, forcing him to restart as their teammates sailed away to snatch the race. China Team were struggling in the lighter airs, as the Oman boats pulled ahead on the leaderboard. But the double-points final race was coming up...

His Highness Sayyid Shahab bin Tariq Al Said, Advisor to His Majesty, His Excellency Maqbool bin Ali bin Sultan, Minister of Commerce and Industry and Her Excellency Dr. Rajiha bint Abdulameer bin Ali, Minister of Tourism, joined the VIP guests on the platform for the start of the final race.


Extreme 40s racing on Day 4 of the Extreme Sailing Series Asia, Muscat. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images/OC Events.

Only just enough wind remained to propel the boats over the line. Pete Cumming takes up the story: "We're quite a heavy crew so when the wind went right down, we had a bit on as the guys on The Wave are light and very quick. But they made the cardinal sin of stalling the boat in the start zone, and when it's really, really light you just have to keep moving as boat speed is key. We saw them stalling the boat and we just sheeted on and got away." Masirah went into the lead to win the final race and clinch victory here in Muscat. "It's everything we worked for and hoped for! But you can't underestimate the guys that turned up for the Asian series at all. We've seen the fleet get stronger and stronger and every event and push us harder and harder in every race."

It was a superb end to a fantastic inaugural Extreme Sailing Series Asia. Only in a few months time, the Extreme Sailing Series European circuit will be starting - we can't wait!

Extreme Sailing Series Asia : Muscat
1st Oman Sail Masirah, 103 points
2nd The Wave, Muscat, 101 points
3rd China Team, 91 points
4th BT, 84 points
5th Red Bull Extreme Sailing, 71 points
6th Rumbo Almeria, 70 points


Rumbo Almeria racing on the final day of the Extreme Sailing Series Asia, Muscat. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images/OC Events.

Extreme Sailing Series Overall:
1st Masirah, 18 points
2nd The Wave, Muscat, 11 points
3rd China Team, 11 points
4th BT, 10 points
5th Red Bull Extreme Sailing, 8 points
6th Rumbo Almeria, 5 points

Extreme Sailing Series Asia

LVT: Louis Vuitton Trophy Hong Kong regatta to be sailed on Victoria Harbour

Hong Kong Harbour with its unique skyline and 'always busy' waterways is one of the most iconic maritime settings in the world. The 14-day long Louis Vuitton Trophy regatta, scheduled for 9th to 23rd January 2011, will take place on this perfect natural arena


Azzurra heads to the windward mark. Image copyright Frank Socha/Louis Vuitton Trophy.

by Bruno Troublé

When Louis Vuitton and the World Sailing Teams Association (WSTA) conceived the Louis Vuitton Trophy regattas they were designed to take the best sailing teams in the world sailing some of the largest and most impressive racing yachts to some of the most spectacular parts of the world and compete at the highest level in the discipline of match racing. One of the other objectives was to bring the action as close to spectators as possible, not just through media and TV but also physically close to where people are.

Organised in conjunction with the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club (RHKYC), a sailing and rowing club with over 160 years of history and one of the world’s most active sailing institutions today, the Louis Vuitton Trophy Hong Kong regatta will mark the culmination of a huge amount of work done by the club’s members and staff. The best sailing teams in the world representing 8 to 10 nations will be competing in this event. This sailing activity will see 7 days of pre-regatta training and 14 days of competition before the winner is known.

RHKYC Commodore Warwick Downes commented: “The Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club will have the very great honour of hosting Asia’s first Louis Vuitton Trophy. This event, one of the pinnacles on the yachting calendar, will demonstrate that Hong Kong is an ideal venue for major international sailing events. The Louis Vuitton Trophy Hong Kong will not only benefit the sailing community here but will also deliver a positive economic impact to Hong Kong. With these boats and our spectacular harbour beamed around the world daily for the two weeks of racing, I can’t think of a better way to showcase Brand Hong Kong internationally.”

The Louis Vuitton Trophy race course will be set on the stretch of water just to the South of the now disused legendary Kai Tak Airport and the Race Village, itself a major attraction, is planned for Pier 10 alongside the terminal of the iconic Star Ferry.

The prevailing winds in Victoria Harbour are from the East at between 12 to 15 knots in January and given the geography of the harbour it will be possible for sailing fans and curious passers by to witness the spectacle from numerous vantage points along the harbour, as the yachts approach both shores on their way around the course, without needing to get afloat.

For those unable to be on the Hong Kong waterfront in person the Louis Vuitton Trophy hybrid TV and Virtual video feed will allow race fans around the world to witness the sporting action in this amazing natural amphitheatre.

Karl Kwok, the President of the Hong Kong Sailing Federation and one of Asia’s better-known international sailors had this to say: “Besides the economic benefits this event will bring to Hong Kong the experiences and actions of the high caliber sailors competing here will more than inspire our local sailing community and fans helping to position the city on the world sailing map. And on behalf of that community I would like to sincerely thank the HKSAR Government for their endorsement and assistance in bringing this event to fruition and I wish the regatta great success.”

Louis Vuitton Trophy

America's Cup: On Board Images from BMW ORACLE Racing

Note: The on board images shown here were taken during sea trials off San Diego. Other images (off the boat) are of USA this week off Valencia.


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.


Image copyright Guilain Grenier/BMW ORACLE Racing.


Image copyright Guilain Grenier/BMW ORACLE Racing.


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.


Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.

BMW ORACLE Racing
Gilles Martin-Raget