[Source: BMW Oracle] BMW and ORACLE Racing said today that they were very pleased to announce the renewal of their partnership in BMW ORACLE Racing, as they prepare to compete for the next America’s Cup. The Partnership combines technology and sportsmanship for yachting’s top challenge.
Speaking at a press conference at BMW Welt, which adjoins the firm’s headquarters in Munich, Russell Coutts, the team’s CEO and skipper, said they were delighted to be renewing a strong partnership that is now entering its seventh year. Both Coutts and Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management BMW Group, Sales & Marketing, said they looked forward to seeing an exciting event with the technologically demanding multihull yachts to be used in the 33rd America’s Cup.
“We are proud to continue this partnership with BMW,” Coutts said. “Trying to win the America’s Cup is about combining the world’s top design and engineering excellence with a passion to succeed. The Cup is a marriage of technology and sportsmanship. And, as BMW is also showing in Formula One racing, this is something it understands extremely well.” Coutts added: “We greatly value BMW’s team commitment, and will continue to support the values that BMW and ORACLE represent in aiming to compete at our best in the special challenge the next Cup is shaping up to be.”
Ian Robertson said: “The BMW brand has benefited hugely from the commitment to the America’s Cup and the BMW ORACLE Racing Team. We are looking forward to continuing this successful partnership that we have forged with the BMW ORACLE Racing Team. On that basis, we want the current partnership to add even more value to the fascination of yachting overall, and the America’s Cup in particular.“
Coutts closed the event by saying the team was committed to seeing both a good competition and the Cup move forward. “These boats are going to be like nothing any of us have raced before. But whatever the outcome of this match, we also want to see the Cup move on successfully once this upcoming Deed of Gift match has been decided to a conventional event that is again run by mutual consent and includes all teams.”
[Source: BMW Oracle] BMW and ORACLE Racing said today that they were very pleased to announce the renewal of their partnership in BMW ORACLE Racing, as they prepare to compete for the next America’s Cup. The Partnership combines technology and sportsmanship for yachting’s top challenge.
Speaking at a press conference at BMW Welt, which adjoins the firm’s headquarters in Munich, Russell Coutts, the team’s CEO and skipper, said they were delighted to be renewing a strong partnership that is now entering its seventh year. Both Coutts and Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management BMW Group, Sales & Marketing, said they looked forward to seeing an exciting event with the technologically demanding multihull yachts to be used in the 33rd America’s Cup.
“We are proud to continue this partnership with BMW,†Coutts said. “Trying to win the America’s Cup is about combining the world’s top design and engineering excellence with a passion to succeed. The Cup is a marriage of technology and sportsmanship. And, as BMW is also showing in Formula One racing, this is something it understands extremely well.†Coutts added: “We greatly value BMW’s team commitment, and will continue to support the values that BMW and ORACLE represent in aiming to compete at our best in the special challenge the next Cup is shaping up to be.â€
Ian Robertson said: “The BMW brand has benefited hugely from the commitment to the America’s Cup and the BMW ORACLE Racing Team. We are looking forward to continuing this successful partnership that we have forged with the BMW ORACLE Racing Team. On that basis, we want the current partnership to add even more value to the fascination of yachting overall, and the America’s Cup in particular.“
Coutts closed the event by saying the team was committed to seeing both a good competition and the Cup move forward. “These boats are going to be like nothing any of us have raced before. But whatever the outcome of this match, we also want to see the Cup move on successfully once this upcoming Deed of Gift match has been decided to a conventional event that is again run by mutual consent and includes all teams.”
Here are the first comments from the BMW Oracle press conference, held in the German manufacturer’s headquarters in Munich.
As it was expected, the main announcement came from BMW. The German auto group will continue sponsoring the American America’s Cup challenger. There was the usual talk about technology transfer between Formula 1 cars and America’s Cup sailing. Despite the failure of BMW Oracle in the 32nd edition in Valencia, the presence of Russell Coutts was the main factor that made the Germans stick to Larry Ellison’s team.
The only news that was of interest was Coutts’ view of the legal process. The kiwi CEO of the American team thinks that the appellate division of the NY court will uphold Justice Cahn’s order that the 33rd America’s Cup match be raced in March 2009 in Valencia or any other place Alinghi might choose. This seems to be in contradiction with the Deed of Gift that prohibits a race in March in the northern hemisphere. Nevertheless, according to what he has been told by their lawyers, a judge can issue such a decision. As a result, Coutts and company are getting ready for a race in March 2009, expecting Alinghi to reveal the location in September, as ordered by Justice Cahn.
Coutts stated that he will certainly not helm the yacht in the 33rd America’s Cup and hopes he could at least be onboard. He left the question open, mentioning that both James Spithill and Franck Cammas are excellent, each in his own field. Still, one could get a hint in Coutts’ voice that he didn’t seem so convinced about Spithill.
There wasn’t anything new revealed about the yacht or yachts BMW Oracle is building or has built in order to challenge Alinghi. The only promise is that they are fast, impressive and we will get to see them “soon”.
