Volvo Race- Play virtual Game to win a VOLVO C30

Armchair experts now have the chance to test their skills against the best offshore sailors in the world with the launch of Virtual Volvo Ocean Race 2008-09 – the race's official game.

The virtual race will mirror the 37,000 nautical miles of the world's premier ocean race and there's a Volvo C30 up for grabs for the winner along with a number of other prizes.

Just like the crews aboard the Volvo Open 70s, virtual racers will compete in real time and real weather conditions on the same race track against the Volvo fleet. They get to use the weather data available to choose their headings and sail plan.

Developed in partnership with UnitedGames, the game is free to play but players can also purchase additional information with a share of the proceeds going to The Save the Albatross Campaign.

According to Marijn Harinck, CEO of UnitedGames, the game has been designed to be as close as possible to the real thing. "We built the game together with our partners from Virtual Regatta who are sailors too," he said.

"Their knowledge about virtual sailing and our knowledge about gaming makes this game unique. It is a game by sailors for sailors."

Andrew Ferguson, head of Technology and New Media, added: "We launched the new look website, online TV channel, and most recently our mobile channel.

"To enhance the package further we are now giving race fans the opportunity to take part in their race, with our virtual game – the competitors can create their own nine-month, 37,000 mile ocean marathon, without the salt spray and freeze-dried food."

www.adonnante.com

Golden Gate Yacht Club moves forward with suit against SNG

GOLDEN GATE YACHT CLUB FILES APPEAL BRIEF;

SETTLEMENT OFFER STILL ON TABLE

 September 29, 2008
 

GGYC spokesperson Tom Ehman said, "At their meeting this weekend, Larry Ellison and Ernesto Bertarelli agreed to continue discussions that could bring an end to this legal battle.  However, no dates for further meetings have been set, and we do not expect an immediate resolution.  Today, we filed our appeal brief with the New York State Court of Appeals to meet the Court's deadline.

 

"Our offer still stands:  we will withdraw our appeal to the New York Court of Appeals if Mr. Bertarelli agrees to return to a multi-challenger event for the 33^rd America's Cup with fair and competitive rules similar to those used for AC32."

 

Golden Gate Yacht Club

#1 Yacht Road, San Francisco, California USA 94123

 

 

GGYC BRIEF TO THE NEW YORK STATE COURT OF APPEALS – HIGHLIGHTS

 

September 29, 2008 – Today, the Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) submitted its appeal brief to the New York State Court of Appeals in the suit against Société Nautique de Genève (SNG) , the Swiss club that holds the Cup, and Club Náutico Español de Vela (CNEV) over the future of the America's Cup.

 

The San Francisco-based club is asking the court to declare GGYC the legitimate Challenger of Record, and to rule that CNEV's challenge of SNG in 2007 is invalid under the 19^th century "Deed of Gift" that governs the oldest trophy in international sport.

 

The following are verbatim excerpts from today's 45-page submission illustrating what is at stake:

 

What the case is about (Pages 2-3)

 

"This case involves an attempt by the current Defender to circumvent the rules of the America's Cup by installing a sham yacht club as Challenger of Record … With the consent of that faux challenger, the Defender published a Protocol for the 33rd America's Cup that granted itself, through its self-appointed management company, unprecedented and lopsided control of the contest, including the power to hire the referees and other officials, to establish 'unilaterally' the rules for all racing events, and to accept or reject 'at its sole and entire discretion' any entry from challenging competitors."

- - - - -

"To protect the historic spirit of the Cup, Golden Gate Yacht Club ('GGYC'), the Challenger of Record for the 32nd America's Cup, presented its own Notice of Challenge on July 11, 2007. In its challenge, GGYC expressed its desire to negotiate a Protocol 'comparable in scope, and similar in terms, to that used for the 32nd America's Cup,' which included a challenger selection series and rules specifying monohull sailboats approximately 75 feet in length. GGYC remains ready and willing to participate in an America's Cup open to all eligible competitors and based on evenhanded rules that preserve the integrity of the Cup."

 

Why GGYC has taken the case to the Court of Appeals (Pages 3-4)

 

"The motion court agreed that the current sham Challenger of Record is not eligible, and that, under the terms of the Deed, GGYC is the Challenger of Record. The Appellate Division, First Department, reversed. Its decision contorts the plain language of the Deed and should be reversed.

 

"[T]he simple, straightforward conditions that the creator of the America's Cup Deed articulated in order to protect the competition from abuse should be respected and given effect. Failure to do so will destroy the America's Cup as we know it …."

 

Why CNEV is not a legitimate Challenger of Record (Page 18)

 

"At the time of its purported challenge, CNEV undeniably did not satisfy the Deed's simple criteria for a Challenger of Record. It was not an 'organized Yacht Club' but a shell entity, incorporated only days before and lacking any and all of the characteristics of a real yacht club—such as members, vessels, and facilities.

 

"CNEV also had never conducted a sailing race of any kind, let alone an annual ocean course regatta on the sea or an arm of the sea. It is simply an alter ego of a sailing federation, RFEV, which is in league with the Defender SNG and traded control of the event in return for keeping the Cup in Valencia, Spain."

 

Why the Protocol is Unfair (Pages 10-11 and 18)

 

"The Protocol granted SNG the unilateral power to: (1) set the Sailing Instructions, Racing Rules, Event Regulations, and ACC Rules (which specify the boat design and construction rules); (2) withhold many of these rules until 60 days before the match; and (3) change the rules even days before the match.

 

"The Protocol also granted SNG the power to determine the format for the match, and to appoint the Race Committee, Measurement Committee, and Umpires. Finally and most importantly, it gave SNG the unilateral power to expel, without recourse, any challenger that disputed SNG's authority under the Protocol. "

- - - - -

"By agreeing to all of SNG's demands for a Protocol so one-sided that it provoked immediate condemnation from the sailing community, CNEV promptly confirmed why the Deed's eligibility criteria should be taken seriously."

 

Why the fate of the America's Cup hangs on the outcome of the case (Pages 11 and 31)

 

"The Protocol caused a massive rift within the international sailing community. Although a few yacht clubs agreed to its terms, six competitors from the 32nd America's Cup signed a joint letter condemning the Protocol as 'the worst text in the history of the America's Cup,' one that would 'jeopardi[ze] the participation and survival of the event'….

"These fears were partially realized when Louis Vuitton, which had sponsored the challenger elimination series for more than twenty years, cited the questionable nature of the Protocol as a reason for its decision to withdraw sponsorship for the 33rd America's Cup."

- - - - -

"The America's Cup is the premier event in sailing, and represents an enormous investment in time and resources by all parties involved.

What GGYC wants (44 and 32-33)

"But GGYC has also made it clear that its preference, then and now, is to negotiate terms for a conventional America's Cup regatta governed by a Protocol similar to the one used in the last Cup.

- - - - -

"Under the plain words of the Deed, the America's Cup is intended to be a challenger-driven event, wherein a Defender must accept any qualified challenge, and face possible defeat, under the simple and explicit rules in the Deed unless it can mutually agree with the Challenger of Record on other rules. In theory, a Defender and a pliable or captive Challenger of Record could agree to rules giving lopsided advantage to the Defender, or even specifying a race a hundred years hence.

 

"The Deed's only safeguards are the eligibility criteria … which (correctly interpreted and respected) ensure that the Challenger of Record is a serious entity with the means and the incentive to remain independent of the Defender."

SEBASTIEN COL REMPORTE LE TROIA PORTUGAL MATCH CUP !!

Sébastien Col remporte le Troia Portugal Match Cup après sa finale contre Magnus Holmberg (2-0).

Il s'agit de la deuxième épreuve que Seb Col accroche à son tableau de victoires sur le World Match Racing Tour cette saison, après le Korea Match Cup en juin dernier.

Cela promet une belle fin de saison pour jouer le titre mondial, étant donné que Sébastien reprend la seconde place du classement général provisoire du World Match Racing Tour, à 6 points seulement du leader, Ian Williams, et avec 5 points d'avance devant le 3^e, Mathieu Richard.

Une victoire d'autant plus belle car rappelons que Sébastien change d'équipage à chaque compétition ou presque, et qu'il ne peut pas se reposer, comme la plupart des équipages présents sur le World Match Racing Tour, sur des automatismes ou un système de communication bien rodé qui sont souvent précieux.

Mais c'est une méthode qui porte ses fruits, et qui permet notamment à Sébastien de tester et sélectionner des équipiers à qui il va faire appel dès la saison prochaine avec K-Challenge, avec toujours en ligne de mire la prochaine America's Cup, mais en particulier à très court terme pour les Louis Vuitton Pacific Series du 1^er au 14 février 2009. (Pour rappel l'inscription de K-Challenge pour les Louis Vuitton Pacific Series a été officiellement confirmée cette semaine).

 

Sébastien Col depuis Troia, très enthousiaste suite à la victoire de son équipe : « C'est génial !!! Nous venons de finir la finale contre Holmberg, 2/0.

Les 2 matchs ont été serrés. Avec jusqu'à 3 nœuds de courant sur la ligne de départ. IMPOSSIBLE parfois de passer la ligne tribord.

Nous gagnons le premier match en exploitant bien le vent. Sur le second, nous partons avec une pénalité, et après un tour, nous sommes juste devant à la bouée sous le vent. Un grain arrive, et nous protégeons la gauche. Et nous gagnons suffisamment de distance pour pouvoir faire la pénalité sur la ligne d'arrivée.

La demi-finale à été plus difficile, contre Damien Iehl. C'était spécial car nous arrivions à anticiper tous les coups de l'adversaire. Ca fait maintenant presque 10 ans que l'on s'entraine ensemble, alors….

Nous gagnons 3/1, sans avoir très bien navigué, surtout moi pendant les départs, heureusement Christophe, Gilles, Olivier et Philippe, ont fait du super boulot pour garder le contact et parfois passer devant.

Nous avons vraiment progressé tout au long de la semaine, c'est vrai qu'hier je n'étais pas très sûr de nous, mais en restant simples dans notre approche des matchs et en jouant sur les paramètres importants qui caractérisaient cette journée (courant, approche de laylines, exploitation des grains), nous avons réussi à vraiment bien naviguer en finale.

Un grand merci à Olivier Douillard et Philippe Mourniac, c'était notre premier world tour ensemble. Sans oublier Christophe André et Gilles Favennec.

A noter que nous sommes 3 équipages français à être passés en demi avec Mathieu et Damien, et que notre coach Marc Bouet nous a bien aidés toute la semaine. »

 

CLASSEMENT GENERAL FINAL

1. Sebastien Col (FRA), French Match Racing Team/K-Challenge $30,000

2. Magnus Holmberg (SWE), Victory Challenge $20,000

3. Mathieu Richard (FRA), French Match Racing Team/Team French Spirit $18,750

4. Damien Iehl (FRA), French Match Racing Team $13,750

5. Paolo Cian (ITA), Team Shosholoza $10,000

6. Torvar Mirsky (AUS), Mirsky Racing Team $8,750

7. Ian Williams (GBR), Team Pindar $7,500

8. Alvaro Marinho (POR), Seth Sailing Team $6,250

9. Adam Minoprio (NZL), Emirates Team New Zealand/BlackMatch Racing $2,500

10. Bjorn Hansen (SWE), Alandia Sailing Team $2,500

11. Manuel Weiller (ESP) $2,500

12. Nick Cherry (GBR), Cherry Racing Team $2,500

 

ISAF Match Racing World Championship Leaderboard (Top 8)
(After Stage 7 of 9)
1. Ian Williams (GBR) Team Pindar, 98
2. Sebastien Col (FRA) French Match Racing Team/K-Challenge, 92
3. Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team/ French Team Spirit, 87
4. Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team , 53
5. Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Victory Challenge, 51
6. Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Shosholoza, 43
7. Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Alandia Sailing Team, 40
8. Mattias Rahm (SWE) Stena Bulk Sailing Team, 34

SEBASTIEN COL WINS THE TROIA PORTUGAL MATCH CUP!!

Seb Col wins the Troia Portugal Match Cup after his final match against Magnus Holmberg (2-0).

 

The end of the season will be very intense in the fight for the World Match Racing Tour’s champion title. Seb Col is now 2nd of the World Match Racing Tour’s season’s provisional general ranking, only 6 points away from the leader (Ian Williams), and 5 points ahead of the number 3 (Mathieu Richard).

 

This victory is more than special, because we have to remember that Seb Col changes his crew almost for each event that he takes part to. So he can’t rely on a “routine” for the manoeuvres or the communications on board, unlike most of the other teams competing on the World Match Racing Tour, and who are used to sail together all the time.

But his method is efficient, and it allows Sebastien to test and to select crew members that he will recruit for K-Challenge’s season next year, with the next America’s Cup still as the ultimate target, but also in particular for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series in the short term – February 1-14 2009. (K-Challenge is officially confirmed as a competing team for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series).

 

Sebastien Col from Troia, (and very enthusiastic after he won the Portugal Match Cup with this team): “this is great!!! We just finished our final against Holmberg, 2-0.

The 2 matches have been tight. With almost 3 knots of current on the starting line, it was sometimes just IMPOSSIBLE to start on the starboard side.

We win the first match because we made a good use of the wind. For the second match, we start with a penalty, and after 2 legs, we are leading at the downwind mark. The rain comes up, and we protect the left. We gained enough lengths to be able to complete the penalty on the finish line.

The semi-final has been more difficult, against Damien Iehl. It was special as we both managed to anticipate all of our opponent’s actions. It’s been almost 10 years that we train together, so…

We won 3-1, but we didn’t particularly sail well. Especially me with the starts. Fortunately, Christophe, Gilles, Olivier and Philippe did a great job to keep close, and sometimes taking over the lead from our opponents.

We really did progress all the week, but I have to recognize that yesterday I was not very confident about us. But by keeping our approach of the matches simple, and by playing with the important parameters of the day (current, laylines approach, use of the rain), we managed to sail really well in the final.

A big thank you to Olivier Douillard and Philippe Mourniac, it was our first world tour event together. Of course I do not forget Christophe André and Gilles Favennec! And of course our coach, Marc Bouet.”

 

 

 

OVERALL STANDINGS

1. Sebastien Col (FRA), French Match Racing Team/K-Challenge $30,000

2. Magnus Holmberg (SWE), Victory Challenge $20,000

3. Mathieu Richard (FRA), French Match Racing Team/Team French Spirit $18,750

4. Damien Iehl (FRA), French Match Racing Team $13,750

5. Paolo Cian (ITA), Team Shosholoza $10,000

6. Torvar Mirsky (AUS), Mirsky Racing Team $8,750

7. Ian Williams (GBR), Team Pindar $7,500

8. Alvaro Marinho (POR), Seth Sailing Team $6,250

9. Adam Minoprio (NZL), Emirates Team New Zealand/BlackMatch Racing $2,500

10. Bjorn Hansen (SWE), Alandia Sailing Team $2,500

11. Manuel Weiller (ESP) $2,500

12. Nick Cherry (GBR), Cherry Racing Team $2,500

 

ISAF Match Racing World Championship Leaderboard (Top 8)

(After Stage 7 of 9)

1. Ian Williams (GBR) Team Pindar, 98

2. Sebastien Col (FRA) French Match Racing Team/K-Challenge, 92

3. Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team/ French Team Spirit, 87

4. Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team , 53

5. Magnus Holmberg (SWE) Victory Challenge, 51

6. Paolo Cian (ITA) Team Shosholoza, 43

7. Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Alandia Sailing Team, 40

8. Mattias Rahm (SWE) Stena Bulk Sailing Team, 34

Positive & Cordial talks in San Francisco between Bertarelli and Ellison

Ernesto Bertarelli and Larry Ellison had a positive meeting yesterday in California, discussing possible solutions to the current situation of the America’s Cup.

 

Alinghi

They share the same passion for the sport of sailing and for the America’s Cup and they both want to get it back on the water and see an evolution of the event. Whilst no definitive decision was taken after this discussion, further meetings will be held in the immediate future between Alinghi and BMW Oracle Racing. Alinghi will also continue to hold meetings with other Challengers to discuss about how to move ahead the America's Cup.

 

BMWOracle

Ellison Reiterates Offer for Conventional Multi-Challenger Regatta

Larry Ellison and Ernesto Bertarelli held a cordial meeting on Saturday, Sept. 27 in San Francisco to discuss the issues surrounding the 33rd America’s Cup.

GGYC spokesman Tom Ehman said, “Larry Ellison reiterated the GGYC offer – if we return to a multi-challenger event for AC33 with fair and competitive rules similar to those used for AC32, GGYC will withdraw its appeal to the New York Court of Appeals.”

Messrs. Ellison and Bertarelli have agreed to further meetings to continue those discussions, but no dates have been set. In the meantime, GGYC will file its appellate brief with the New York State Court of Appeals as planned on Monday, Sept. 29 in order to meet the Court’s deadline.

Discussion cordiale et positive!

Larry Ellison et Ernesto Bertarelli se sont rencontrés samedi 27 septembre à San Francisco. Leur rencontre, qualifiée de cordiale et positive, était destinée à parler des questions relatives à la 33è America’s Cup.

 

De Alinghi

Ernesto Bertarelli et Larry Ellison ont eu un entretien hier pour trouver des solutions au contexte actuel de l'America's Cup. Les deux hommes partagent la même passion pour la voile sportive et pour l'America's Cup et souhaitent voir évoluer l'épreuve et retourner naviguer. Bien qu'aucune décision définitive n'ait été prise après cet entretien, d'autres réunions sont prévues prochainement entre Alinghi et BMW Oracle Racing. Dans le même temps, Alinghi continue d'organiser des rencontres avec les autres Challengers pour discuter de l'avenir de l'America's Cup.

 

De BmwOracle Racing: Tom Ehman, le porte parole du GGYC, a affirmé que « Larry Ellison a réitéré la proposition du GGYC – si nous revenons à une America’s Cup conventionnelle et ouverte à tous les challengers, avec des règles justes pour toutes les équipes et similaires à celles utilisées lors de la 32è America’s Cup, le GGYC retirera son recours de la Cour d’appel de New York.

 

Messieurs Ellison et Bertarelli ont convenu de tenir de nouveaux meetings à l’avenir et de poursuivre le dialogue, mais aucune date n’a encore été fixée. Dans l’intermédiaire, le GGYC va déposer les documents officiels liés à son appel à la Cour d’appel de l’Etat de New York lundi 29 septembre, comme requis par la Cour.

America's Cup legal saga - The bosses are talking!

Further to our request for confirmation of a settlement in the America’s Cup legal battle between Alinghi and BMWOracle, Sebastien Destremau from www.adonnante.com is in receipt of the following details from a reliable source within the Alinghi camp confirming that Ernesto Bertarelli has been in contact with the key actors to find solutions to the current dilemma.

Here follows Alinghi’s party line.

Alinghi: We confirm that since the ruling in July that reinstated CNEV as the legitimate Challenger of Record, Alinghi expressed its will to have discussions with the challengers to set the frame for the next America's Cup. This is what has happened in the past few weeks at the highest level, with Ernesto Bertarelli talking to key players such as Sir Keith Mills (Team Origin), Ignacio Sánchez Galán (Desafío - president of Iberdrola), Patrizio Bertelli (Luna Rossa)...

SD: Are you including BMWOracle when you say “discussions with the challengers?”

Alinghi : Mr Bertarelli, who already called Larry Ellison at the end of 2007 and beginning of 2008, has always expressed that Larry and BMW Oracle were more than welcome to join discussions and this has happened following a call from Larry to Ernesto mid August.

SD: Can you confirm a date for the first challenger’s meeting or is it too early?

Alinghi : Too early. It is more likely that there's going to be individual contact (meetings or conversations) in which Ernesto Bertarelli will try to agree terms with these key players on how to make the thing progress.

SD: Will it includes Larry Ellison? And knowing what you know ... Do you believe in a settlement ?

Alinghi: It does include Larry, as a follow up of their conversation in August - Apparently Larry is now keen to stop the legal fight and try to find an agreement suitable for all parties. So yes there is hope for a settlement (obviously they hold the key to end everything with the appeal) but I think that the big change that has happened is that now it's the big guys talking directly between them, without intermediaries.

SD: We've got to take that as a good news effectively. Thankyou for the updates.

www.adonnante.com

America's Cup - Les patrons se parlent !

Suite à nos demandes de confirmation sur un possible règlement à l’amiable dans la bataille juridique qui oppose Alinghi et BMW Oracle, Sébastien Destremau d’Adonnante.com a reçu les informations suivantes d’une source fiable au sein d’Alinghi qui confirme qu’Ernesto Bertarelli a bien été en contact avec les personnages clés afin de trouver une solution au dilemme actuel.

 

Voici donc les réponses d’Alinghi à nos interrogations :
Alinghi : Nous confirmons que, depuis le rendu de justice en juillet qui a rétablit le CNEV comme Challenger of Record légal, Alinghi a toujours exprimé sa volonté de discuter avec les Challengers pour déterminer les cadres de la prochaine America’s Cup. C’est ce qui s’est passé dans les dernières semaines alors qu’Ernesto Bertarello a échangé à haut niveau avec des membres clés de différents Challenges comme Sir Keith Mills (Team Origin), Ignacio Sánchez Galán (Desafío – president d’Iberdrola), Patrizio Bertelli (Luna Rossa)...

Sébastien Destremau : BMW Oracle est-il inclu dans vos discussions avec les Challengers?
Alinghi : Mr Bertarelli, qui a déjà appelé Larry Ellison à la fin de l’année 2007 et début 2008, a toujours exprimé l’idée que Larry et BMW Oracle sont plus que les bienvenus dans ces discussions et que cela s’est produit suite à un appel de Larry Ellison à Ernesto Bertarelli mi août.

SD : Pouvez-vous nous confirmer une date pour la première reunion des Challengers ou est-ce encore trop tôt?
Alinghi : C’est trop tôt. Pour l’heure il est plus que probable qu’il y aura des contacts individuals (reunion ou conversation) par lesquels Ernesto Bertarelli essaiera de trouver des points d’accord avec ces personnes clés pour faire advancer les choses.

SD : Cela inclura-t-il Larry Ellison? Au vue de ce que vous savez ... Pensez-vous qu’il soit possible de tomber sur un accord?
Alinghi : Cela inclura Larry Ellison, ce sera une suite logique à leurs échanges d’août. Apparement Larry serait prêt à arrêter la bataille juridique et tenterait de trouver un arrangement à l’amiable pour toutes les parties. Donc oui il y a de l’espoir pour se mettre d’accord (évidemment ils détiennent les clés pour mettre fin à l’appel) mais je pense que le grand changement qui a eu lieu est qu’aujourd’hui ce sont les patrons qui se parlent directement entre eux, sans intermediaries.

SD : Nous prenons ces informations pour de bonnes nouvelles. Merci pour ces nouvelles fraîches

www.destremausailing.blogspot.com

 

Challenge Force 11 2008 - Media Announcement

CHALLENGE FORCE 11

In 2007, the Mediterranean city of Toulon turned itself to the sea in successfully organizing the Tall Ships Races. This event did welcome close to million visitors to Toulon and its region. It gave the image of a large port, demonstrated the attractiveness of public events in the region and generated a major economic activity during 5 days. It also woke up the spirits of a large number of people, the will and ambitions of emerging and confirmed experiences to join forces: the "Challenge Force 11" was born ...

The past and the future
The memory is the Challenge Force 8. From 1991 to 2000, this event brought together eight cities of Toulon’s area and a massive participation of local sailors with a record 126 entries for the 1993 edition.

The future is next month with the Challenge Force 11, which will blow its first candle on October 12.

The bay of Toulon will again show hundreds of yachts meeting for this sailing reunion. It will bring together both professionals and amateurs, friends or family and this on-water-get-together of the various talents will establish the spirit of the Challenge Force 11 in the years to come. Toulon will showcase an example of friendship while participating in a true and original sporting event on its magnificent water stretch.

Already, some one-design fleets are in touch with the organizers to celebrate the rebirth of the high-level sailing in Toulon. Rumors as it that the 2009 edition will be an event rich in novelties! … A major sailing event over several days held early September 2009 with an original concept… however that's for later! For now let’s focus on the first edition of the Challenge Force 11.

Jointly organized by the Society Nautique de Toulon and Sailing and Development Club, Challenge Force 11 will bring together newcomers and confirmed sailors who won’t miss the return of this original sailing rendezvous sets for Sunday 12 October 2008.

For further information, please contact the Society Nautique de Toulon: Fishermen Quay 83100 Toulon - 04 94 42 20 37 snt83024@orange.fr

 

Challenge Force 11 2008 - Annonce Médias

CHALLENGE FORCE 11

En 2007, Toulon s’est à nouveau tournée vers la mer en organisant avec succès la course des grands voiliers: la Tall Ships Races. Cette manifestation a connoté la destination touristique de Toulon et sa région. Elle a donné l’image d’un grand port, démontré l’attrait du public pour les événements « marins » et généré pendant 5 jours une activité économique majeure . Elle réveilla aussi les esprits d’un grand nombres, des ambitions naissantes ou affirmées joignaient leurs expériences et le «Challenge FORCE 11 »  était née ...

 

Le vent du souvenir et de l’avenir

Le souvenir c’est Force 8, une épreuve qui avait acquis ses lettres de noblesse pendant 10 éditions (de 91 à 2000). Une épreuve qui rassemblait les huit communes de l’aire toulonnaise ainsi qu’une participation massive des régatiers locaux avec un record de 126 bateaux pour l’édition 1993.

 

L’avenir c’est dès le mois prochain avec le vent du Challenge Force 11 qui va souffler sa première bougie le 12 Octobre.

 

La rade de Toulon verra à nouveau le spectacle magnifique de voiliers s’élançant pour cette véritable fête de la voile. Elle rassemble aussi bien les professionnels que les amateurs venus entre amis ou en famille et c’est cette réunion des divers talents qui fera toute la force du Challenge Force 11 dans les années à venir. Toulon retrouvera là l’exemple d’un bel esprit de convivialité tout en participant à une véritable épreuve originale et sportive sur son magnifique plan d’eau.

 

D’ores et déjà, certaines flottes de monotypes sont en contact avec les organisateurs pour venir célébrer le renouveau de la voile de haut niveau à Toulon. Les rumeurs courent déjà concernant l’édition 2009 qui serait une épreuve riche en nouveautés ! … Un évènement nautique majeur de plusieurs jours organisé début septembre 2009 avec un concept original … mais chut, ça c’est pour plus tard ! Pour l’instant place au Challenge Force 11 .

 

Conjointement organisé par la Société Nautique de Toulon et le Club Voile et Développement, le Challenge Force 11 rassemblera  les néophytes et fins régatiers qui ne rateront le retour de cet évènement originale pour rien au monde.  Rendez-vous est fixé pour le Dimanche 12 Octobre 2008.

Pour tous renseignements contactez la Société Nautique de Toulon : Quai des pêcheurs 83100 Toulon – 04 94 42 20 37 snt83024@orange.fr

The America's Cup legal battle - That close to be over!

As mentioned yesterday, Adonnante.com requested confirmation that both teams were looking at putting the legal battle behind them.

 

Follows is the response received from BMW Oracle and a copy of yesterday's article.

 

Enjoy on www.adonnante.com  

Interest is sky rocketing for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series

According to the New Zealand Herald the interest raised by the newly launched Louis Vuitton Pacific Series is sky rocketing with 16 teams willing to participate.

Read on: www.adonnante.com

 

America's Cup - Encore des bonnes nouvelles?

Alors que l’Australie célèbre cette semaine le 25ème anniversaire de sa victoire historique, une médiation entre Alinghi et BMW Oracle remettrait l’America’s Cup sur les rails.

 

Lire la suite de l’article sur  www.adonnante.com

 

More good news on the America's Cup front?

As Australia is celebrating the 25th anniversary of their historical victory this week, a legal compromise between Alinghi and BMWOracle could put the America’s Cup back on track.

 

Read on www.adonnante.com

 

Alinghi remporte l'iShares Cup 2008

Après cinq épreuves et 79 manches courues aux quatre coins de l'Europe, Alinghi fête sa victoire sur l'iShares Cup 2008 à Amsterdam ! "C'est formidable de terminer par une victoire comme celle-ci. Ce fut une très bonne année d'apprentissage..." a déclaré le barreur Ed Baird.

 

Ed Baird, Rodney Ardern, Lorenzo Mazza et Piet van Nieuwenhuijzen ont remporté aujourd'hui le trophée iShares Cup de la saison 2008, suite à leur quatrième victoire consécutive. L'équipe s'était lancée en eXtreme 40 pour la première fois en mai dernier à Lugano en Suisse, une épreuve marquée par un chavirage et un résultat en demi-teinte. Mais cet incident de parcours a vite été mis de côté pour laisser à la place à quatre victoires consécutives à Hyères (France), à Cowes (Royaume-Uni), à Kiel (Allemagne) et à Amsterdam (Pays-Bas) aujourd'hui.

 

"C'est formidable de terminer par une victoire comme celle-ci, a déclaré le barreur Ed Baird à l'issue de cette dernière journée. Ce fut une très bonne année d'apprentissage. Chaque jour passé sur l'eau fut consacré à essayer de trouver ce qui fonctionne le mieux et ce qui rend le bateau plus rapide. Je remercie tout particulièrement mon équipe qui m'a vraiment soutenu tout au long de l'année. Ils ont toujours su mener le bateau de façon sûre et rapide".

 

L'iShares Cup fait partie d'un programme d'apprentissage en multicoque bien plus large pour le Defender de l'America's Cup Alinghi, qui a participé à de nombreuses épreuves cet été. Le Defender se prépare en effet à l'éventualité d'un Deed of Gift Match, que recherche actuellement le challenger américain BMW Oracle Racing devant la Cour d'Appel de New York. "Ces six derniers mois, nous avons beaucoup appris sur les multicoques et sur la façon dont ces bateaux fonctionnent, explique Ed Baird. Mais nous savons également que nous ne sommes pas encore rodés et qu'il reste de nombreuses choses à apprendre, notamment sur les très gros multicoques, avec lesquels nous devrions probablement régater pour l'America's Cup dans le cas d'un Deed of Gift Match. Nous nous posons toujours beaucoup de questions. Certaines paraissent très simples pour les gens qui naviguent depuis longtemps sur ces bateaux. Mais nous voulons simplement être sûrs de maîtriser toutes les bases".

 

Alinghi poursuit la construction de son bateau pour le Deed of Gift Match en Suisse et continue de développer ses compétences en multicoque avec les Décision 35 sur le Lac Léman (où l'équipe est actuellement en tête du Challenge Julius Baer, à une épreuve de la fin) et avec le 41 pieds 'Alinghi Black' à Valencia. Parallèlement à cela, le team ne néglige pas l'entraînement en monocoque et régate sur le Vrolijk IRC66 Numbers et sur le maxi Alfa Romeo. Le skipper de l'équipe Alinghi, Brad Butterworth, organise en outre des réunions avec les challengers cet automne, pour préparer l'avenir en vue d'une America's Cup ouverte à plusieurs défis.   

NB : N'oubliez pas que vous pourrez poser vos questions aux équipiers sur l'épreuve d'Amsterdam lors du Tchat Alinghi mardi 23 septembre à 16h00 en direct avec Ed Baird !

 Cliquez sur le bandeau "Alinghi Chat" sur la page d'accueil du site www.alinghi.com

 L'équipe du X40 Alinghi 

Ed Baird, barreur

Rodney Ardern, régleur grand-voile

Lorenzo Mazza, régleur

Piet van Nieuwenhuijzen, numéro 1

 

www.alinghi.com

 

 

 

Alinghi wins iShares Cup 2008

With five European venues and 79 races behind them, Alinghi celebrates the iShares Cup season win in Amsterdam! “It’s fantastic to end up winning like this, it’s been a big year of learning…” says helmsman Ed Baird…

 

Amsterdam, Netherlands - (2008-09-21)

With five European venues and 79 races behind them, Alinghi celebrates the iShares Cup season win in Amsterdam! “It’s fantastic to end up winning like this, it’s been a big year of learning…” says helmsman Ed Baird…

 

Ed Baird, Rodney Ardern, Lorenzo Mazza and Piet van Nieuwenhuijzen won the iShares Cup season trophy today as well as the Amsterdam event trophy, making this their fourth consecutive event win. The team sailed their first race on an eXtreme 40 in May in Lugano, Switzerland, with mixed results and a capsize, but with these early learning curve hiccoughs out of the way, the crew settled in to a steady winning streak that saw victory in Hyères, France; Cowes, UK; Kiel, Germany and today in Amsterdam.

 

Ed Baird, Alinghi helmsman, comments on the win today: “It’s fantastic to end up winning like this. It’s been a big year of learning for us and each day on the water is spent trying to figure out what works best and what makes the boat go fast. I give huge credit to my team, who has really supported me all year; the guys have got the boat around the course safely and fast over and over again.”

 

This iShares Cup season is part of a much wider picture for the America’s Cup Defender, Alinghi, and is just one of several multihull learning platforms that the sailing team has been focusing on this summer. The Defender faces the possibility of a Deed of Gift (DoG) match, something currently being pursued by the American challenger BMW Oracle Racing in the New York Court of Appeals, and so the team is preparing for all eventualities. “Over the last six months, we have certainly gained a level of understanding about how boats like this work; however we have also learnt that we are not polished at sailing them and that there is still a lot more to learn and a huge amount more to learn about the great big multihull which is what the America’s Cup could potentially be sailed on if there is a Deed of Gift match,” says Baird. He adds: “We’re still thinking and asking a lot of questions, some are a bit elementary to people who have been in the sport for a long time on these kinds of boats, but we just want to make sure we cover all the bases and cut as many corners as we can towards learning how to do it!”

 

Alinghi is continuing to build the DoG boat in Switzerland and will continue to hone its multihull sailing skills with the Décision 35s on Lake Geneva (where the team is currently leading the Challenge Julius Baer with one event to go) and the 41footer ‘Alinghi Black’ in Valencia. In parallel the team cannot neglect its monohull training and continues to race on the Vrolijk IRC66 Numbers and the maxi yacht Alfa Romeo and with an eye on the team’s vision of a multi-challenge America’s Cup, Brad Butterworth, Alinghi team skipper, is organising challenger meetings this autumn to plan for the future.  

A REMINDER: Don’t forget that if you want to ask the crew your own questions about Amsterdam, you can log on to the brand new “Alinghi Chat” at 16:00 on Tuesday 23 September, Ed Baird will be there to answer you live!

Click on the “Alinghi Chat” banner on the home page of www.alinghi.com

The Alinghi X40 team

Ed Baird, helmsman

Rodney Ardern, mainsail trimmer

Lorenzo Mazza, trimmer

Piet van Nieuwenhuijzen, bowman

 

www.alinghi.com

 

A super-maxi yacht for Team French Spirit

 The probability to see the 33rd America's Cup being a multi-challenger event is now on everybody's mind (the dispute between Alinghi and Oracle is still pending, following an ultimate appeal at the US Supreme Court) while, in all likelihood, the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series will take place next February in Auckland. Meanwhile, Team French Spirit is making steady progress with its preparation.
 
FRENCH SPIRIT ONE
The all carbon-fiber yacht was built in 2003 at the Boat Speed shipyard in Australia. A Hugh Welbourn design, FRENCH SPIRIT ONE features are pretty close to the future America's Cup measurement rule :
29 meter long
35 meter mast
sail area : main 300 m2, spinnaker : 600 m2
20 crew members
 
The boat was selected by Team French Spirit to carry on its training programme. Philippe Presti, Bertrand Pacé and Mathieu Richard  - currently No 1 of the ISAF World Match Race ranking - are going to set up various training sessions in Saint-Tropez during the winter 2008-2009 to recruit and test new talents, select grinders and get everyone more acquainted with a 30 meter mono-hull yacht.
 
"It's a major step for our team's preparation. With this super-maxi, things are becoming more concrete, of course for the crew, but also for our future partners" says Marc Pajot. "This week-end we went to Marseille to participate in the Juris' Cup and then, from September 29th to October 4th, in the prestigious Voiles de Saint-Tropez".
 
Team French Spirit intends also to compete in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series and congratulates Bruno Troublé, Louis Vuitton and Team New Zealand for setting up this new big boat Match Race event. Philippe Presti, skipper : "It will be an excellent opportunity for our new crew to get back on the water and test its skills against redoubtable opponents."
 
Designer contest : Projects delivered !
On September 18th in Marseille, 7 design teams submitted their files to public notary Maître André Gildas (this to protect their identities during the first stage of evaluation). Under the guidance of Philippe Gouard, President, the Jury of the designer contest is now facing a long and hard working period.
 
Internet Website www.teamfrenchspirit.com

Letter from America

Roger Vaughan, internationally published writer for print and television, talks to Alinghi sports director, John Barnitt.

 

Exclusively on www.alinghi.com

 

 

Un Super Maxi pour Team French Spirit

Photos : Thierry Seray

 

Alors que l’on parle à nouveau de multiple challenges en vue de la 33^ème America’s Cup (le match Oracle/Alinghi est suspendu à un ultime recours auprès du Tribunal de New York) et que se courra en février prochain la Louis Vuitton Pacific Series à Auckland, Team French Spirit poursuit sa préparation.

 

FRENCHE SPIRIT ONE

Construit en carbone en 2003 au chantier Boat Speed, en Australie, du crayon de l’architecte Hugh Welbourn, FRENCH SPIRIT ONE a des airs de ressemblance avec la future jauge 90’ America’s Cup :

 

- 29 mètres de long

- mât de 35 mètres

- grand voile de 300 m2 et spi de 800 m2

- 20 hommes d’équipage

 

C’est le bateau qu’a choisi Team French Spirit pour s’entraîner et former son équipage. Autour de Philippe Presti, Bertrand Pacé et Mathieu Richard - aujourd’hui N°1 mondial de l’ISAF World Match Race ranking -, le Team prévoit dans le courant de l’hiver 2008-2009 différentes cessions d’entrainement à Saint-Tropez afin notamment de recruter de nouveaux talents, de sélectionner des wincheurs et de se familiariser au monocoque de 30 mètres.

 

« Il s’agit d’une étape importante dans la préparation de Team French Spirit. Avec ce Super Maxi, les choses deviennent concrètes, tant pour l’équipage que pour nos futurs partenaires et je me réjouis de voir cette superbe machine naviguer » a déclaré Marc Pajot.

 

Présent à la Juris’ Cup à Marseille dès demain et pour tout le week-end, le bateau sera ensuite en régate aux Voiles de Saint-Tropez pour une « première » du 29 septembre au 4 octobre.

 

Sur les rangs de la Louis Vuitton Pacific Series, Team French Spirit se félicite de l’initiative de Bruno Troublé, de Louis Vuitton et de Team New Zealand, pour cette nouvelle épreuve de Match Race (du 1^er au 15 février 2009 à Auckland).

 

« C’est une opportunité pour notre nouvel équipage de naviguer ensemble et de revenir sur l’eau face à de redoutables adversaires » s’est réjouit Philippe Presti, skipper de Team French Spirit.

 

Concours d’architectes : copies rendues

 

Après bientôt 6 mois, 6 cabinets d’architectes ont remis aujourd’hui à Marseille auprès de Maître Gildas André (afin de conserver, à ce stade, l’anonymat) leurs importants travaux d’étude. C’est maintenant un travail ardu pour le Président Philippe Gouard et l’équipe du jury du concours d’architecte.

 

Verdict pour les 4 meilleurs dans un mois !

 

www.teamfrenchspirit.com

 

Le Yin et le Yang, version America's Cup !

Avec tout ce que l’on peut entendre à l’heure actuelle sur l’America’s Cup nous y avons regardé de plus près et avons constaté qu'il y avait peut-être de la lumière au bout du tunnel ?

La suite sur www.adonnante.com

Two sides to the America's Cup

With all the buzz going on around the America’s Cup at the moment, we took a quick look at the current situation and might have noticed some light at the end of tunnel?

Read on http://www.adonnante.com/

Shosholoza says YES

Team Shosholoza is one of the first of the 2007 America's Cup challengers to accept an invitation to compete in a new international match racing regatta, the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series, to be held in New Zealand early next year.

The South African's have also mooted the idea of a similar follow-up event to be held in home waters off Durban .

'I was informed directly about the Auckland series by Bruno Trouble of Louis Vuitton when I was in Paris recently. Of course I have accepted their invitation. It is very exciting news and I have expressed my satisfaction to Bruno for the magnificent idea. In fact it is the best news we've had since the end of the 32nd America's Cup in Valencia last year,' said Captain Salvatore Sarno, Shosholoza founding managing director.

'I have also suggested to Bruno that he start to think about a Louis Vuitton Indian Ocean Cup to be raced here in Durban in May-June 2009,' said Capt Sarno.

Sarno said a high-profile event like this would present another 'very good opportunity for the Team to continue to showcase South Africa ahead of the 2010 Soccer World Cup.'

In the meantime Team Shosholoza will plan to be in New Zealand from 22 January for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series which will be held from January 31 to February 14.

'There are still a lot of logistics to be worked out. If the proposed 33rd America's Cup had gone ahead as planned for 2009 we would already have been racing. But this will be good for bringing the team together again and especially to be racing against other America's Cup teams. We are looking forward to it,' said Captain Sarno.

www.adonnante.com

Mascalzone Latino at the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series

"Since 1983 Louis Vuitton has done a lot for sailing, maintaining the spirit of sport in the America's Cup" - has declared Onorato - "the America's Cup wouldn't become what it's today without the Parisian maison... Unfortunately, as we all know, at this time there are many shadows on this Cup and the chance for the teams to return racing soon is still very remote. Therefore we have to thanks Louis Vuitton for continuing to be committed for our sport, and organize this new event. We are willing to sail and we are putting together all technical aspects for the trip to Auckland. One thing is sure: "we will be there!"

The new international match racing event by invitation will take place in Auckland from January 31st to February 14th 2009. The deadline for registration is October 24th, 2008.

The regattas will take place with boats made available by Team New Zealand which will be modified to guarantee identical performances.

To the organization of the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series collaborate the New Zealand government, Emirates Team New Zealand, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and the Auckland Town.

Margherita Bottini

 

Grant Simmer on the BMW Oracle Deed of Gift Match boat

Grant Simmer, design team coordinator

(Photo credit: Ivo Rovira / Alinghi)

Having forced the America’s Cup to a standstill, BOR are sea trialling their DoG race boat in Anacortes before shipping it to San Diego…

 

Alinghi’s design team coordinator, Grant Simmer talks about the boat named BMW90; he gives the America’s Cup defending team’s first impressions of the enormous trimaran:

 

Can you describe what your first impressions are having seen the Oracle DoG boat sailing now?

GS: We have been really impressed with the work that their design team has done and particularly their boat building team. It’s an incredibly impressive boat and the fact that they have been able to bring it on line and get it sailing – in light conditions, but with the boat quite loaded up, flying the centre hull frequently and looking at a whole range of sails – clearly shows that all the systems on the boat are working. We give them credit for what they’ve done, it’s impressive, an impressive vessel, that’s for sure.

 

Are there any surprises? Has the design team seen anything that jumps out?

GS: Well, obviously we were keenly waiting for a chance to look at it when they opened the tent up. Is it a surprise, no – but it looks like it’s going to be really competitive, it looks like it’s oriented towards light air and smooth water.

 

And now it is launched, has Alinghi received the long awaited Customs House Registry supposed to be delivered by BOR ‘as soon as possible’?

GS: No we haven’t and there is a public exchange of letters on the internet for everyone to have a look at. At the moment they haven’t issued it and they haven’t given us an indication of when they intend to, although I think they have said a few times that they would do it ‘as soon as possible’ which is long since expired, months ago in fact.

 

Is it your opinion that this is their DoG race boat?

GS: We believe that the boat specified in their Deed of Gift challenge is the boat that they have to race and since they argued that they were going to be ready to race this year, it is clear that the boat that we are watching sailing in Anacortes at the moment is their race boat. The team has declared it several times to the media and they know very well that when you issue a Deed of Gift challenge you describe the vessel that you are going to challenge with. It doesn’t mean that you can build a series loosely fitting some vague dimensions provided in the challenge document and then pick one of the boats at a later date. In your challenge you indentify your boat by naming it and then registering it as soon as possible. Modern America’s Cups which have all been run - except for 88 - under mutual consent conditions have all allowed teams to build more than one boat and then decide which one they are going to race. But for Deed of Gift challenges throughout history, you describe the name of the vessel you are going to challenge in and that’s it. There’s never been a substitution of vessel.

 

www.alinghi.com

 

 

 

BMW ORACLE Racing salue la création de la « Louis Vuitton Pacific Series »

Le team BMW ORACLE Racing annonce aujourd’hui qu’il salue la création de la Louis Vuitton Pacific Series, qui se déroulera à Auckland au début de l’année prochaine, et qu’il confirme sa participation.

 

« Nous sommes ravis par cette initiative de Louis Vuitton, et nous nous réjouissons déjà de participer, à Auckland, à ce qui s’annonce dores et déjà comme un bel événement », a commenté le CEO de l’équipe Russell Coutts.

 

« Le gouvernement néo-zélandais, Emirates Team New Zealand et les autres partenaires de l’événement méritent également des félicitations pour avoir développé ce projet. Il s’agit d’une excellente façon de rassembler tout le monde sur l’eau. »

 

« Auckland est un fabuleux site pour organiser des régates. Avec un format destiné à promouvoir des régates au contact rapproché, cette épreuve va certainement remporter un grand succès auprès des marins et des supporters. »

 

Coutts a confirmé que le team serait en contact avec Louis Vuitton dans les meilleurs délais afin de confirmer sa participation.

 

BMWOracle

BMW ORACLE Racing welcomes Louis Vuitton Pacific Series.

BMW ORACLE Racing today welcomed the announcement of the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series to be run in Auckland, New Zealand early next year and confirmed that it will be entering a team.

“It is really good to see Louis Vuitton leading this initiative, and we are really looking forward to coming to Auckland to join in what I’m sure will be a great competition,” Russell Coutts, the team’s CEO said.

“Congratulations are also due to the New Zealand Government, Emirates Team New Zealand and the other partners to the event in coming up with this format. This is a great way to get everyone back on the water.

“Auckland is always a great place to sail. And with a race format aimed at close competition this will be an event that sailors and fans will really enjoy.” Coutts said the team would be in touch with Louis Vuitton shortly to confirm its entry.

BMWOracle

 

More Myths and Reality according to BMWOracle re: Brad Butterworth Seahorse interview

In statement posted yesterday Team Alinghi cited an interview in this month’s Seahorse magazine with Brad Butterworth as setting out their views on many of the key issues surrounding the next America’s Cup. According to BMWOracle, the following summary provides factual commentary on the points raised in that interview.

 

Brad Butterworth: “They bark on about a one-sided Protocol and unfair rules favouring the defender. I tell them once and for all that is not the case. And 12 challengers support this fact.”

Fact: Seven teams said it was the worst protocol in the Cup’s history. Emirates Team New Zealand and Mascalzone Latino have continued to publicly oppose the protocol as grossly one-sided. The defender has never explained why it was necessary to make such a significant departure from the rules of AC 32.

 

Brad Butterworth: “The race officials are picked from a list given to the challenger and defender”

Fact: While this was true for AC 32, under the AC 33 protocol introduced by Alinghi the defender gets to select all officials. This most recent claim by Brad is at odds with his own earlier statement about the selection of officials that: “Once people see who we’ve selected they will be happy with them.”

 

Brad Butterworth: “The fact is the defender is the last to use the officials and so only rarely gets involved in picking them, as the challengers choose the best people through their elimination series”

Fact: Brad may be confusing the AC 32 protocol with AC 33. Under the AC 33 protocol Alinghi would also race in the challenger series and use the race officials at the same time as the challengers.

Under Alinghi’s AC 33 protocol, the format and the schedule of all challenger racing is dictated by the defender for the first time in the history of the event. For the challengers in AC 33 it is therefore not “their” series any more as it was in all previous America’s Cups.

 

Brad Butterworth: “We have acknowledged that we are not without fault regarding the Protocol……but unlike our adversary, we have corrected these mistakes and have done that by working through the document with the challengers that have signed up”

Fact: At least three syndicates, ETNZ, Mascalzone Latino and BMWOR, do not share Brad’s view that the defender has worked through the document and corrected the protocol’s serious deficiencies.

The reality is that seven syndicates (Luna Rossa, Mascalzone Latino, Areva Challenge, United Internet Team Germany, Emirates Team New Zealand, BMW ORACLE Racing, Victory Challenge) all wrote calling it the worst protocol in the history of the event. Mascalzone Latino and Emirates Team New Zealand have continued to strongly and publicly oppose the protocol as one-sided. ETNZ is suing Alinghi for exercising anti-competitive control over the event.

Under the “new” protocol the following conditions still apply:

 

• The defender can change the protocol back at any time it wishes to the previous document

• Challengers gain no input on the appointment of neutral officials

• The defender and ACM are pointedly excluded from any binding obligation to act in a manner that complies with fair dealing, good sportsmanship or fair play

• The defender can still disqualify any competitor who disputes the protocol.

 

Brad Butterworth: “The defender racing in the challenger series: this was is due to wanting to curb costs.’

Fact: It is not clear that this would have saved costs. However under the new protocol the defender’s ability to sail in the challengers’ series gives it very considerable new advantages. As they are already guaranteed a place in the America’s Cup, the defender can eliminate a team or influence the outcome of the series at no risk to themselves.

 

Brad Butterworth: “A schedule of sailing: to curb costs.”

Fact: Under Alinghi’s protocol the defender gained the new power to organize the challengers’ practice race schedule. It would decide when challengers were allowed to race and who they could practice racing against. No other sport permits a defending champion to do this. The schedule should be set by an independent body.

 

Brad Butterworth: “We wanted to have a one-boat campaign, again to aid entries”

Fact: The protocol allowed all teams to build two boats, which Alinghi would almost certainly have done. But Alinghi rescinded the Common Declaration that required defender and challenger to name their race boat at the same time. This allowed the defender to wait until just prior to the America’s Cup match to choose their race boat while the challenger was required to race the boat it had qualified

in. This conferred a huge advantage in being able to select a boat suited to the short term weather forecast.

 

Brad Butterworth: “Throughout my career, the fairness of the regatta has increased, peaking in Valencia where we saw the closest modern event ever. It would be the same if we had a multi-challenger event now.

Fact: Why then was there a need to radically change the rules to an unfair event?

 

Brad Butterworth: “In May and the one on one DoG match seemed a clear possibility we sat down with them to try to agree a date for a fair regatta, giving us time to build our multihull, but they refused.”

Fact: Alinghi insisted that they be given the challenger’s right to set the race date. They wanted to delay the event to gain more time and an advantage outside the rules of the Cup.

 

Brad Butterworth: “However we are still open to discussion and very much welcome a resolution to this dispute”

Fact: Brad has never accepted any invitation to meet with BMWOR, and Alinghi have declined 10 offers of mediators. BMWOR have offered (and the offer still exists today) to return to an AC 32 protocol or the rules proposed by the challengers in November 2007.

 

Brad Butterworth: “To move things on we need to have a Challenger of Record firmly installed so that we can organize an event with the challengers and have a Cup similar to the one we had last time or even better”

Fact: Why then doesn’t the defender simply accept the reasonable proposal to return to rules like AC 32? It appears that instead the defender wishes to issue all rules on their terms to create an unprecedented level of control and advantage.

END/

By BMWOracle