Archiv für die Kategorie „America´s Cup“

Nine America’s Cup crews at the ready in Cascais

Posted on 04 August 2011

Nine of the best sailing teams in the world are making their final preparations in Cascais, Portugal ahead of the opening weekend of the 34th America’s Cup.

The Cascais AC World Series Preliminaries consist of two events over the course of this weekend – the Cascais AC Open and the AC 500 Speed Trial. Saturday will see the first three fleet races of the AC Open as well as the exciting speed test – a timed, sprint over a 500-meter course. On Sunday is the fourth fleet race of the AC Open.

All racing will be streamed live on www.americascup.com, beginning at 1400 local time (GMT+1) on Saturday afternoon.

The forecast for Saturday is for northwesterly winds building to 15 knots, with a possibility of stronger winds late in the afternoon. Over the next two days, the teams and race committee will continue their training ahead of Saturday’s opening races.

Some highlights from Thursday’s press conference, which took place in the media center in the presence of the America’s Cup trophy, which was making its first appearance in Portugal:

Bertrand Pacé, skipper, Aleph: On board, I am the wing trimmer and the tactician. I am getting to grips on board more and more each time we sail. The challenge is exciting, and I am trying to do my best. The wing is really interesting because this is completely new and different than a soft sail, because of its raw power. I am learning more every day about how to control the power.

Terry Hutchinson, skipper, Artemis Racing: We have a new team and we are learning a lot of things about ourselves and catamarans and multihulls in general. So we’ll use the scorecard here as one measure of success, but I think as long as we see performance increases each day that’s another measure, regardless of results.

Mitch Booth, skipper, China Team: It’s really enjoyable. The first time we try to join east and west. The experience is really rewarding. Sometimes it’s a little challenging but when you get it right it’s very rewarding when the team gels. We’re learning how to communicate very quickly on the boat and we’re enjoying every day.

Dean Barker, skipper, Emirates Team New Zealand: Our team has been very focused on monohull sailing over the last few years and had some good results so the transition to multihulls is very interesting. It’s a new game to a lot of us, and there are a lot of lessons to be learned. It’s a challenge.

Loïck Peyron, skipper, Energy Team: You always prefer the turbo engine of the wingsail compared to a traditional sail. These boats are very interesting and a good tool for the game we want to play. But we need to learn. I love learning at least one thing every day and these past weeks I’m learning many things each day.

Vasilij Zbogar, skipper, Green Comm Racing: (Asked about having a crew full of ‘skippers’) When they look at the rudder (to steer) I just punch them! I think our first day we realized that everyone on the boat needs to be a skipper. It’s a full team required to sail.

Chris Draper, skipper, Team Korea: We’re excited. The boats provide a great, level playing field. The wing is a big leveling platform. We’re really excited but we’re under no false illusions. We just want to get started and get racing.

James Spithill, skipper, ORACLE Racing Spithill: I think ‘favorite’ is an interesting term. When you look at the group of sailors here and how quickly everyone has got up to speed, that highlights how tough it’s going to be out on the water.

Russell Coutts, skipper, ORACLE Racing Coutts: We’ve practiced as much as we can and I think we’re ready to get out there and race. I’m looking forward to it. I think we have a chance of winning and that’s as good as you can get at this point.

Iain Murray, Regatta Director and CEO, ACRM: We’ve been working on this for the past 10 months, the creation of the boats, trials and tests in New Zealand and San Francisco and bringing a lot innovation to the sport as well as the way we’ll bring it to spectators around the world. We think it’s going to be spectacular.

Craig Thompson, CEO, America’s Cup Event Authority: I don’t think there could be a more perfect venue for the start of the AC World Series. Cascais is gorgeous as a city, beautiful waters, beautiful beaches and for the first time we’ll be racing along the shore where people on the beaches can watch and be part of this great event. We have the best sailors on the fastest boats, and it’s going to be fantastic.

Patrick M de Barros, Chairman of the local organizing committee: I think this even marks a dramatic change to the history and format of the Cup and I think we owe this to the vision of Larry Ellison, Russell Coutts and James Spithill… I wish all of you a great regatta and great winds.

Article source: http://www.americascup.com/en/Latest/News/2011/8/Nine-Americas-Cup-crews-at-the-ready-in-Cascais/

Skippers’ Press Conference

Posted on 03 August 2011

Tune in at 1100 local time in Cascais (GMT+1) on Thursday morning, for the opening press conference of the America’s Cup World Series – Cascais right here on www.americascup.com

Skippers from all nine race crews will be on hand to answer questions ahead of Saturday’s racing.

Article source: http://www.americascup.com/en/Latest/Blog/2011/8/Skippers-Press-Conference/

PUMA Selected as Official Sportswear Partner for the 34th America’s Cup

Posted on 02 August 2011

Just days away from the first event of the new look America’s Cup, the America’s Cup Event Authority today introduced its official sportswear partner, PUMA. In addition to their role as sportswear partner, PUMA will operate both the official online and pop-up fan shop in ports hosting the 34th America’s Cup races. The first America’s Cup-branded merchandise offerings will be made exclusively available to fans attending the inaugural America’s Cup World Series event August 6 – 14 in Cascais, Portugal.

As the official sportswear partner, PUMA will serve as the exclusive licensee of event-related sportswear for the America’s Cup Event Authority and America’s Cup Race Management teams, including their sailing performance gear.

The partnership between the 34th America’s Cup and PUMA represents the continued reinvention of the Cup. From the groundbreaking AC45 wing-sailed catamaran and breakthrough television graphics to athlete’s view cameras and premium sportswear, every change of the 34th edition is focused on transforming the sport of sailing into fan-driven experience.

Craig Thompson, CEO, America’s Cup Event Authority said: “The new America’s Cup represents a radical shift in the way people will connect with the sport of sailing.  We’ve looked at every component of the event from the viewer’s eye so we can create customized experiences for audiences around the globe. We’re committed to providing the ultimate in performance sportswear for our fans, and in PUMA, we’ve found a partner who can deliver on that promise.”

“PUMA’s approach to sailing has always been a little bit different,” said Antonio Bertone, Chief Marketing Officer for PUMA.  “We’re the mavericks in the industry, intent on shaking up the sport with campaigns, products and partnerships that reach new audiences, dial up the  ‘fun’ and push the boundaries of performance technology.  America’s Cup embraces a similar philosophy and re-emerged as the hottest thing to happen to professional sailing in decades. We’re excited to come aboard as the official sportswear partner for the Cup.”

PUMA first entered the sailing category in 2008 when it developed a line of performance and lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories to support the launch of the PUMA Ocean Racing.  Driven by a massive global marketing machine focused on media and fan engagement, its early successes helped establish PUMA as a credible sailing brand and paved the way for the partnership with the America’s Cup.

The 34th America’s Cup and PUMA also share a commitment to sustainability and the health of the world’s oceans. The 34th America’s Cup is embarking upon a major ocean awareness campaign aimed at restoring the health of the worlds’ oceans by inspiring people to take immediate action. PUMA is committed to working across the globe in sustainable, creative and innovative ways to lessen the company’s impact on the environment and to give back what it takes from the planet by seeking to reduce its carbon footprint in all areas of business. Ocean preservation will be a major focus for PUMA across all of its sailing platforms. Additionally, the America’s Cup sportswear produced by PUMA will be made from more sustainable fabrics.

“We want partners who not only understand the dramatically changing landscape of sport, but also the importance of putting the needs of our stakeholders at the forefront, which is evident in PUMA’s commitment to global sustainability,” added Thompson.

“Environmental stewardship is our collective responsibility,” said Bertone. “Together with the America’s Cup, we have a unique opportunity to reach people across the globe and raise awareness of the critical importance of marine preservation.”

Article source: http://www.americascup.com/en/Latest/News/2011/8/PUMA-Selected-as-Official-Sportswear-Partner-for-the-34th-Americas-Cup/

Green Comm Racing hits the water

Posted on 02 August 2011

The Spanish challenge of Green Comm Racing hit the water for the first time on Tuesday, getting in a critical first sail.

Italian crew member Paolo Cian said they had perfect conditions for a first sail, with the wind light this morning and building throughout the day.

American crew member Carrie Howe, a multiple world champion, called the AC45 an ‘incredible boat’.

“This is such a cool boat,” she said. “Really nice design. The acceleration, in only four knots this morning and the boat is already flying a hull. I’ve sailed a lot of catamarans but that’s a different feeling.”

Green Comm Racing is the final team to take a test session in an AC45. Although neither ORACLE Racing, nor China Team have sailed at the venue yet, both have trained previously. The late start isn’t ideal, but Howe says the team is working hard to be as prepared as possible ahead of racing on Saturday.

“We had an awesome first sail today,” she said. “The idea for (the first races) this weekend is to get around the marks, grow as a team, learn every part of the systems and what we need to do to grow as a group, and not worry about racing…”

Article source: http://www.americascup.com/en/Latest/Blog/2011/8/Green-Comm-Racing-hits-the-water/

Five flying on course

Posted on 02 August 2011

Five teams were on the water today, along with the Race Committee, who set a race course Tuesday afternoon for the teams out training.

Principal Race Officer John Craig said he was pleased with how things went on the day: “We had near perfect conditions, with winds in the 15 knot range, to get things set up for the first time. We still have more mark boats to come on stream over the next day or two, but today everything we did worked well and the teams were very cooperative in helping us out too.”

Artemis Racing, Energy Team, Emirates Team New Zealand, and Team Korea all participated over the course of the afternoon, while Green Comm Racing sailed for the first time.

More images are here.

Article source: http://www.americascup.com/en/Latest/Gallery/2011/8/Five-flying-on-course/

Superb racing

Posted on 01 August 2011

“The racing is going to be superb,” says Terry Hutchinson, the skipper of Artemis Racing.

Following his team’s first training session at the venue on Monday, Artemis Racing skipper Terry Hutchinson said Cascais will deliver great conditions and he expects the racing will be “full-on and action-packed”.

Watch the interview with Terry Hutchinson

Two teams made their debut on the waters off Cascais on Monday as Emirates Team New Zealand and Artemis Racing sailed for the first time.

It was cool, cloudy and rainy for much of the day, with extremely gusty and variable conditions on the bay off the Race Village. Emirates Team New Zealand crew members spoke about massive wind shifts, while Hutchinson said some of the gusts peaked at the top of the range for the AC45s.

“It was windy, at the top end probably about 30 knots, so it’s going to be exciting…” Hutchinson said. “These boats are very boat-handling intensive. Once you get that part of your game ironed out, you can really focus on the speed and tactics…”

More teams are expected to sail as the week progresses, with the fleet focused on packing in as much preparation as possible ahead of Saturday’s first fleet races.

See more pictures from the day here.

Read more about ORACLE Racing’s preparation here.

Read about the new Energy Team helmsman here.

Article source: http://www.americascup.com/en/Latest/Blog/2011/8/Superb-racing/

America’s Cup Uncovered – Episode 1

Posted on 30 July 2011

Live now – America’s Cup Uncovered…

• Your exclusive invitation into the 34th America’s Cup
• America’s Cup Uncovered
• A new episode every Saturday
• Watch it here

With behind-the-scenes sneak-peeks, athlete profiles and up-close action on and off the water, America’s Cup Uncovered will take an in-depth look at the 34th edition over the next two years, offering an exclusive window into one of the most prestigious events in sport.

Episode one is now online.

New episodes are available at 08:00 PDT / 11:00 EDT / 15:00 GMT Saturdays, each week.

The first episode features a variety of segments that will set the stage for future America’s Cup Uncovered episodes:

• The show begins with a focus on the complete reinvention of the America’s Cup, as the sport drives towards the future.
• Viewers will be introduced to the new home of the America’s Cup – San Francisco – and how the natural amphitheater of the San Francisco Bay is setting the stage for the Cup’s transformation.
• Up close and personal with James Spithill (Australia) of ORACLE Racing, the youngest skipper to ever win the Cup, and what a typical “day at the office” entails, with eyes always set on defending his team’s win.
• A preview of Cascais, the site of the inaugural America’s Cup World Series, which is the new professional circuit bringing the America’s Cup experience to port cities around the globe.
• And finally, a visit to the past, with a visit to Auckland, New Zealand, where locals recall their Cup experience and how the oldest trophy in international sport helped rebuild and modernize their city’s waterfront.

Article source: http://www.americascup.com/en/Latest/Gallery/2011/7/Americas-Cup-Uncovered---Episode-1/

Sunday ashore

Posted on 31 July 2011

All teams were ashore on Sunday as the media, TV and electronics gurus spent time wiring up the boats ahead of racing next weekend.

For Aleph, this was a chance to get started on repairing their clipped wing. CEO Philippe Ligot says the team won’t be ready for Monday, but is hoping to be back in the water on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the other teams were going through maintenance, measurement and debriefing sessions.

Sailing crews from some of the teams are due to arrive in the coming days.

More images from around the Race Village on Sunday can be found here.

Article source: http://www.americascup.com/en/Latest/Blog/2011/7/Sunday-ashore/

America’s Cup Uncovered – Live – Episode 1

Posted on 30 July 2011

Live now – America’s Cup Uncovered…

• Your exclusive invitation into the 34th America’s Cup
• America’s Cup Uncovered
• A new episode every Saturday
• Watch it here

With behind-the-scenes sneak-peeks, athlete profiles and up-close action on and off the water, America’s Cup Uncovered will take an in-depth look at the 34th edition over the next two years, offering an exclusive window into one of the most prestigious events in sport.

Episode one is now online.

New episodes are available at 08:00 PDT / 11:00 EDT / 15:00 GMT Saturdays, each week.

The first episode will feature a variety of segments that will set the stage for future America’s Cup Uncovered episodes:

• The show begins with a focus on the complete reinvention of the America’s Cup, as the sport drives towards the future.
• Viewers will be introduced to the new home of the America’s Cup – San Francisco – and how the natural amphitheater of the San Francisco Bay is setting the stage for the Cup’s transformation.
• Up close and personal with James Spithill (Australia) of ORACLE Racing, the youngest skipper to ever win the Cup, and what a typical “day at the office” entails, with eyes always set on defending his team’s win.
• A preview of Cascais, the site of the inaugural America’s Cup World Series, which is the new professional circuit bringing the America’s Cup experience to port cities around the globe.
• And finally, a visit to the past, with a visit to Auckland, New Zealand, where locals recall their Cup experience and how the oldest trophy in international sport helped rebuild and modernize their city’s waterfront.

Article source: http://www.americascup.com/en/Latest/Gallery/2011/7/Americas-Cup-Uncovered---Episode-1/

In Cascais

Posted on 30 July 2011

The three teams training up the coast have now relocated to Cascais, making the short ‘offshore’ passage this afternoon.

Team Korea, Energy Team and Aleph all sailed down the coast without major incident although the Aleph boat suffered some minor wing damage.

Meanwhile, Artemis Racing, Emirates Team New Zealand and ORACLE Racing have all assembled their AC45 platforms in their team bases, along with their wing sails, ready for the arrival of their crews next week.

Green Comm Racing too has been working on its boat on the forecourt in the race village.

Sunday is a scheduled off day for all of the teams, allowing the event organisers some time to rig TV equipment on the boats.

Some of the teams are expected to resume training on Monday.

See an interview with Team Korea Principal Kim Dong-Young here.

And a great time-lapse of the Artemis Racing base under construction here.

Article source: http://www.americascup.com/en/Latest/Blog/2011/7/In-Cascais/