Emirates Team New Zealand

Base is buzzing as we prepare for LVPS

Louis Vuitton Pacific Series

Boats launched January 15-19

Team practice starts January 24

Racing starts January 30 and continues until February 14

The base is buzzing again as preparations for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series pick up pace.

On top of that, the team is also right into its TP52 project, with the build well-advanced at Cookson’s yard on the North Shore. The yacht will be launched a few days after the final of the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series.

At the Viaduct Harbour base, boatbuilders, electronic and hydraulic engineers, riggers and sailmakers are working to re-commission the yachts and build the identifying spinnakers for each team. All this and the Christmas-New Year holiday season is approaching fast.

The BMW Oracle Racing yachts arrived from Spain a few days ago and shore crew are working on them.

The four yachts will be back in the water in the third week of January, ready for sea trials and the start of practice for participating teams on January 24.

There’s much more to this regatta than just the four racing yachts and 200 yachtsmen. Once again we have tapped into that special New Zealand spirit that just makes things happen. The regatta could not have been held without the willing help of dozens of people and organisations. Individuals are lending their boats, companies are donating product or heavily discounting products and services.

The Government and Auckland city and its agencies have given great support and practical help. We couldn’t have asked for better. Without their help, New Zealand and Auckland would have missed out on a great event.

One of BMW Oracle’s two yachts to be used in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series. Photo copyright Emirates Team NZ

Nothing has been too much trouble for the harbour master and police who have made it possible to run the races close in to the shore. Courses will be laid right across the approaches to the busy commercial port so that spectators on shore can share the action.

The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron is organising on-the-water activity. They have brought together a large number of volunteers to man the fleet needed for course and racing officials - the umpires, marshals, mark layers and the “ferries” to get race crews on and off the yachts.

It’s a big job but the Squadron, with a couple of Louis Vuitton Cups and America’s Cups behind it, is well-practiced at handling the logistics of a big regatta.

While all the on-the-water activities are being worked through, Louis Vuitton, Auckland City, the people at Viaduct Harbour Marine Village and SKYCITY are working to ensure the race village and on-shore entertainment becomes a reality.

And, because a large number of international journalists are expected to be in Auckland for the regatta, Tourism New Zealand and Tourism Auckland are working to ensure that we miss no opportunity to promote New Zealand and the region.

TP52 Programme

It’s good to see the TP 52 project coming together so well. We will campaign the TP 52 on the Med Cup circuit, one of the most competitive on the international racing calendar. Five regattas (in Spain, Portugal, France and Italy) are planned in 2009, the first in the third week of May.

Our yacht is due to be shipped to Europe in March after sea trials have been completed. A workshop container and chase boat will travel with it.

A TP 52 has a crew of 15. The regattas will give the core sailing crew the chance to sail together, an essential part of the buildup to the next America’s Cup.

The TP 52 project is being funded by Emirates and staunch supporter of the team Matteo de Nora.

Top: Emirates Team New Zealand boat builder Peter Ockleston and Colin Driver. Bottom: Some of the TP 52 build team: Ian McLean, Anthony Murray, Andy Howden and Mark Borley show off their handiwork. Photo copyright Emirates Team NZ

America’s Cup

Meanwhile the America’s Cup saga continues: Alinghi is proceeding to organise a multi-challenge America’s Cup for 2010 even though the Oracle appeal in the New York courts has still to be resolved.

Oracle’s Larry Ellison has told Alinghi that it would not enter the event by Alinghi’s December 15 deadline (and as a pre-condition withdraw its legal challenge) and would persevere with the appeal.

That leaves two possible outcomes: Oracle’s appeal is dismissed and the Spanish yacht club CNEV is confirmed as the challenger of record and a multi-challenge America’s Cup is back on track.

Oracle wins the appeal and a Deed-of-Gift challenge is sailed in the multihulls, in Oracle’s case a 90ft trimaran which the team has been trialing off San Diego. Alinghi’s multi-hull has yet to be seen in public.

The outcome is unlikely to be known for some months.

The team thanks our suppliers and sponsors for their patience and continued support. It’s comforting to know they’re behind us.

Season’s greetings to everyone.

Grant Dalton

Back in the sun … after more than a year in the shed, NZL 92 gets ready for racing. Photo copyright Emirates Team NZ

Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back

Base is buzzing as we prepare for LVPS

Louis Vuitton Pacific Series

Boats launched January 15-19

Team practice starts January 24

Racing starts January 30 and continues until February 14

The base is buzzing again as preparations for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series pick up pace.

On top of that, the team is also right into its TP52 project, with the build well-advanced at Cookson’s yard on the North Shore. The yacht will be launched a few days after the final of the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series.

At the Viaduct Harbour base, boatbuilders, electronic and hydraulic engineers, riggers and sailmakers are working to re-commission the yachts and build the identifying spinnakers for each team. All this and the Christmas-New Year holiday season is approaching fast.

The BMW Oracle Racing yachts arrived from Spain a few days ago and shore crew are working on them.

The four yachts will be back in the water in the third week of January, ready for sea trials and the start of practice for participating teams on January 24.

There’s much more to this regatta than just the four racing yachts and 200 yachtsmen. Once again we have tapped into that special New Zealand spirit that just makes things happen. The regatta could not have been held without the willing help of dozens of people and organisations. Individuals are lending their boats, companies are donating product or heavily discounting products and services.

The Government and Auckland city and its agencies have given great support and practical help. We couldn’t have asked for better. Without their help, New Zealand and Auckland would have missed out on a great event.

One of BMW Oracle’s two yachts to be used in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series. Photo copyright Emirates Team NZ

Nothing has been too much trouble for the harbour master and police who have made it possible to run the races close in to the shore. Courses will be laid right across the approaches to the busy commercial port so that spectators on shore can share the action.

The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron is organising on-the-water activity. They have brought together a large number of volunteers to man the fleet needed for course and racing officials - the umpires, marshals, mark layers and the “ferries” to get race crews on and off the yachts.

It’s a big job but the Squadron, with a couple of Louis Vuitton Cups and America’s Cups behind it, is well-practiced at handling the logistics of a big regatta.

While all the on-the-water activities are being worked through, Louis Vuitton, Auckland City, the people at Viaduct Harbour Marine Village and SKYCITY are working to ensure the race village and on-shore entertainment becomes a reality.

And, because a large number of international journalists are expected to be in Auckland for the regatta, Tourism New Zealand and Tourism Auckland are working to ensure that we miss no opportunity to promote New Zealand and the region.

TP52 Programme

It’s good to see the TP 52 project coming together so well. We will campaign the TP 52 on the Med Cup circuit, one of the most competitive on the international racing calendar. Five regattas (in Spain, Portugal, France and Italy) are planned in 2009, the first in the third week of May.

Our yacht is due to be shipped to Europe in March after sea trials have been completed. A workshop container and chase boat will travel with it.

A TP 52 has a crew of 15. The regattas will give the core sailing crew the chance to sail together, an essential part of the buildup to the next America’s Cup.

The TP 52 project is being funded by Emirates and staunch supporter of the team Matteo de Nora.

Top: Emirates Team New Zealand boat builder Peter Ockleston and Colin Driver. Bottom: Some of the TP 52 build team: Ian McLean, Anthony Murray, Andy Howden and Mark Borley show off their handiwork. Photo copyright Emirates Team NZ

America’s Cup

Meanwhile the America’s Cup saga continues: Alinghi is proceeding to organise a multi-challenge America’s Cup for 2010 even though the Oracle appeal in the New York courts has still to be resolved.

Oracle’s Larry Ellison has told Alinghi that it would not enter the event by Alinghi’s December 15 deadline (and as a pre-condition withdraw its legal challenge) and would persevere with the appeal.

That leaves two possible outcomes: Oracle’s appeal is dismissed and the Spanish yacht club CNEV is confirmed as the challenger of record and a multi-challenge America’s Cup is back on track.

Oracle wins the appeal and a Deed-of-Gift challenge is sailed in the multihulls, in Oracle’s case a 90ft trimaran which the team has been trialing off San Diego. Alinghi’s multi-hull has yet to be seen in public.

The outcome is unlikely to be known for some months.

The team thanks our suppliers and sponsors for their patience and continued support. It’s comforting to know they’re behind us.

Season’s greetings to everyone.

Grant Dalton

Back in the sun … after more than a year in the shed, NZL 92 gets ready for racing. Photo copyright Emirates Team NZ

Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back

[Source: Alinghi] Alinghi, Defender of the 33rd America’s Cup, confirms that Emirates Team New Zealand has withdrawn its law suit against the team, Ernesto Bertarelli, AC Management and the Société Nautique de Genève and will now join all the other entered challengers in the process of getting the 33rd America’s Cup back on the water as soon as possible; starting tomorrow at the Competitor Meeting in Geneva.

Alinghi skipper Brad Butterworth welcomes this new development: “It is good news that Grant Dalton and Team New Zealand (TNZ) have at last stopped legal proceedings. It is great that they have seen that the legal route leads nowhere and are returning to the sport with all the other teams. We look forward to the Competitor Meetings in Geneva and to further progressing – as a group that includes the Defender and the challengers – towards getting the competition back on the water.”

“Having TNZ join the Competitor Meetings and push forward with constructive discussions alongside many other entered challengers for a 2010 event in a new class of more affordable boats is progress indeed. We welcome them back,” concludes Butterworth.

Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back

[Source: Emirates Team New Zealand] Emirates Team New Zealand says it will withdraw its legal action against Alinghi to ensure the success of the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series.

ETNZ managing director Grant Dalton said today that Alinghi has committed to sending a competitive team to Auckland if the legal proceedings were withdrawn.

“I have talked to Brad Butterworth tonight and have confirmed our position in writing.

“It is our view that this regatta - and Alinghi’s participation in it – is an important initiative towards repairing the harm that recent events have done to yacht racing at this level.

“For that reason we are prepared to respond positively to Alinghi’s commitment to the regatta by meeting its condition of discontinuing our proceedings.”

Dalton said the regatta promised to be a big event for New Zealand. Louis Vuitton and team are well down the track in organising it. We have an obligation to the many organizations and individuals who are now working with us to do anything we can to ensure its total success.

“For obvious reasons the regatta would not be the same without Alinghi’s participation. For a start our sailing team would like nothing more than meeting Butterworth and his team on Auckland Harbour in January-February.

“Entries close on October 31 and we needed to give Alinghi time to get their entry in.”

The Louis Vuitton Pacific Series will be sailed from January 30 to February 14 2009.

Twenty three sailing teams have expressed an interest in competing and up to 12 teams can be accommodated.

Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back

[Source: Emirates Team NZ] Emirates, the Dubai-based global airline, on Wednesday confirmed its continued support for New Zealand and the sport of sailing by renewing its successful partnership with Emirates Team New Zealand.

Following on from last week’s announcement that Emirates has become the first Worldwide Partner to sign up for Rugby World Cup 2011, the airline has also committed to backing Emirates Team New Zealand on the Mediterranean TP52 regatta circuit next year.

TP52s are pure racing platforms, high performance monohulls capable of racing in both buoy regattas and offshore races. They are 52ft long and race with a crew of 15.

TP52s do not have water ballast, canting keels or running back stays; owners preferring to keep it simple, safe and reliable. They can easily exceed 25 knots off the wind and frequently break 30 knots, and have won the majority of bluewater regattas that they have entered, as well as a number of high-profile buoy races against the best boats in the world.

The team has started building a TP52 yacht in Auckland. It will be launched on February 17 and shipped to Europe in mid-March. It will compete under the Emirates banner, with the award-winning airline and Matteo de Nora, a strategic adviser to the team, funding the project.

In signing the sponsorship agreement in Auckland on behalf of Emirates, Gary Chapman, President Group Services, Emirates Group, said: “We saw a fabulous 33rd contest for the America’s Cup, with Emirates Team New Zealand winning the Louis Vuitton challenger series and then putting up a fantastic effort in the America’s Cup challenge itself. We were as inspired by this great challenge as much as the New Zealand public was and we are delighted to once more get behind Emirates Team New Zealand with this TP52 initiative, and beyond to 2011.

“Emirates Team New Zealand has proved its worth on the water as a real competitor, and, it is fair to say, it surpassed our international expectations promotionally on the global stage as a brand builder.

“Our participation has also underlined our commitment to the New Zealand market, in which we are now a key player with four wide-bodied services a day from New Zealand to Dubai and beyond via Australia.

“When we first backed the team in 2004 we saw in it many features that we could relate to, including its drive, focus and competitiveness. The team continues to also seek excellence in all aspects of its operation and in all these respects we feel there a strong compatibility with Emirates Airline as an award-winning international airline.”

Mr. Chapman said Emirates Team New Zealand now had the opportunity to take its performance to another level.

“With new inflight comfort, services and entertainment features in our fleet, and the Airbus A380 super-jumbos coming into New Zealand in 2009, we are also going up another notch.”

Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker said the Grand Prix TP52 circuit is one of the most competitive in the world. “A team entry on the circuit is the next logical step in our preparation for a next multi-challenge America’s Cup.

“The Med Cup circuit got going three years ago and each year has got better and better to the point where it is now the absolute top-end of keel boat racing outside the America’s Cup.

Many of the 2007 America’s Cup teams are involved as teams or with crewing on the boats.

The aim has been to use the expertise available within the team to compete on a circuit widely regarded as the most competitive in the world.

The ETNZ TP52 was designed by the team’s principal designer Marcelino Botin and structural and mechanical engineers. Sail and rig designers have also been involved. Members of the sailing team have designed the deck layout and internal systems.

Building started at Cookson Boats on the North Shore on 15th September. It will be launched on 17th February next year. Sea trials and testing will follow and the yacht will be shipped to Europe in mid-March 2009.

Dean Barker said: “The TP52 is still a development class and there’s scope to optimise every part of the boat’s equipment and operation, much as there has been in the America’s Cup Class.

“The TP52 will give us the opportunity to continue to develop and test the sailing team in preparation for the next multi-challenge America’s Cup.”

“With a crew of 15 we will be able to work on combinations and communications that we use on the Cup boats. These boats at 52ft long are like big, high-performance dinghies, something like the new AC 90 class and they definitely reward good crew work.

“If a team is to stay sharp and focused it needs to sail as a team. With a crew of 15, the TP52 will let us work combinations and communications in full-on racing conditions.”

ETNZ sailing team members have been represented on the Med Cup circuit previously, most notably on board Mean Machine the 2006 winner. This year Bribon, often helmed by the King of Spain, was sailed into second place overall by Dean Barker.

Grant Dalton said he appreciated the continued support from the team’s naming sponsor, Emirates. “This project and continuing support gives us a team-wide focus while we wait for final resolution to the Oracle/Alinghi legal action.”

Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back

[Source: Mascalzone Latino] “Mascalzone Latino will go back to Auckland to sail the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series”: Vincenzo Onorato has confirmed accepting with great enthusiasm the invitation to participate in the new event presented on Monday 15th.

“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.

Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back

Grant Dalton, Team New Zealand general manager, spoke to Radio New Zealand about the upcoming match racing event, giving some initial details. According to Dalton, a few hours after the official announcement of the event, there were already 5 teams that showed their interest in taking part. They were BMW Oracle, K-Challenge (the first to publicly express their interest), Shosholoza, Desafío Español and Team Origin. Dalton was, obviously, optimistic about the prospects of the event, funded by Louis Vuitton and the New Zealand government, the latter to the tune of NZ 750,000 dollars.

Listen to the entire 5-minute interview on what the commentator calls “America’s Cup light”:

Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back

[Source: Emirates Team New Zealand] Louis Vuitton announced today an international match-racing series to be sailed in Auckland in January-February next year.

To be called the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series, the regatta is being held in association with the New Zealand Government, Auckland Agencies, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, SKYCITY Entertainment Group and Emirates Team New Zealand.

All sailing teams that participated in Louis Vuitton Cup regattas in the past have been invited to compete in the Auckland regatta from January 31 – February 14 2009. Organisers expect six teams will compete. Louis Vuitton will accept competing syndicates on a “first come, first served” basis.

Races will be sailed in Emirates Team New Zealand yachts.

The boats have very similar performance. Some configuration changes will be made to ensure even racing.

Three races are planned every day on a two-mile windward-leeward course laid on Waitemata Harbour between Rangitoto Island and Orakei wharf.

Spectators will have grandstand views of the racing from North Head and Bastion Point.

The race committee will be appointed by the RNZYS with the Squadron members providing on-the-water support. A large number of volunteers will be needed on the water to man the committee boat, lay marks and act as course marshals for spectator boat control.

A Louis Vuitton spokesman Bruno Trouble said: “The Auckland event is neither competing with the America‘s Cup, nor part of the next America’s Cup process. The Louis Vuitton Cup, won by the top challenging syndicate since 1983 will not be at stake. A Louis Vuitton trophy will be created especially for the regatta.

“We still have a lot of work to do before the racing format is finalised and the infrastructure is in place.”

Emirates Team New Zealand managing director Grant Dalton said the team’s role, apart from preparing the yachts for racing, is only that of a competitor.

“The sailing team welcomes the opportunity to get back on the water as a complete unit against some top opposition.

“The regatta will be a big event for Auckland. The action will take place over three weekends to give Aucklanders a chance to see the big boats and top teams fight it out.

He said ETNZ would do everything it could to make the yachts totally competitive. “We know the yachts’ relative performance very well and even though they’re close, we know what can to be done to make them even more so.

“The organisers are looking at having a daily draw to decide which yacht the teams will sail that day. Over the course of the regatta they should all race both boats.”

Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron Commodore Scott Colebrook welcomed Louis Vuitton’s initiative. “The RNZYS is looking forward to having Louis Vuitton back in Auckland and the Squadron will do everything it can to ensure the series is a success.

“Planning for the on-water operations has already commenced. The concept is excellent, the sailing venue is ideal and we eagerly anticipate hosting some great sailing.

“Auckland can expect some exciting match racing close inshore by some of the best sailing teams in the world.”

Prime Minister Helen Clark said: “Congratulations to Louis Vuitton and Emirates Team New Zealand for organising this exciting international yachting event. New Zealand is very pleased to be hosting this regatta and Auckland with its beautiful harbour and vibrant inner city will put on a fantastic show for yachting fans and tourists.”

Mayor of Auckland John Banks says this high calibre event will be another opportunity to showcase the city to the world.

“We want this to be an event that not only establishes Auckland as a desirable major events destination, but also provides three weekends of great entertainment for Aucklanders.”

Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back

Grant Dalton, managing director of Emirates Team New Zealand, talked to Bloomberg television’s Night Talk program on Monday night. The legendary kiwi sailor mainly focused on the lawsuit his team has filed against Alinghi. The interview comes into three parts.

Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back

[Source: BlackMatch Racing] Today was the final day of racing in the Open Match Cup. We completed our final three races of the round robin today in again, near perfect match racing conditions and managed to win all three. Our final races were against Rafal Sawicki from Poland, last year’s champion Eric Monnin from Switzerland and Mads Elber from Denmark.

We qualified 1st equal at the end of the round robin, tied with Jure Orel from Slovenia and it was decided that we were to race America’s Cup Helmsman and world #12 Ian Ainslie, in a best of 3 semi final while Jure Orel from Slovenia would take on Marek Stancyk from Poland.

In a well competed semi final, we managed to take a 2-0 victory over Ainslie who was arguably one of the best pre-starters at this event. In both races we held a slim advantage off the start line and extended throughout the race, claiming our berth in the final.

The other semi final was also won 2-0 by Jure Orel, so it was to be New Zealand taking on Slovenia in the best of 5 final. Jure and his crew had shown excellent form throughout the regatta while we had steadily been improving, so the scene was set for an excellent final show down.

Another victory for Adam Minoprio and BlackMatch Racing

In our first match against Jure we had a big advantage off the start line, we had also forced a penalty on them when they failed to complete a tack onto starboard that resulted in a collision. We defended our lead throughout the race and sailed well to gain an early upper hand in the final.

Our second match saw a much closer affair, the Slovenians lead us off the start line after a closely contested pre-start and a fierce tacking duel ensued. By the first top mark it was ‘neck and neck’ but we had made significant inroads and managed to roll over the top of Orel on the final tack to the mark. We had an excellent spinnaker set and maintained our slim advantage throughout the remainder of the race.

The third match was ours to win, facing a 2-0 deficit all of the pressure was on the Eastern Europeans and we again had an excellent start. We had a big lead and Jure had received a penalty after gybing onto port in front of us, the advantage was too much and we held on for victory, in doing so winning the 2008 Open Match Cup.

Thank you to all of our friends and family back home, it was great to come away with a victory here in Austria and we appreciate all of the support that we have received from everyone.

BlackMatch would like to again thank our sponsors: FedEx Express, Ross Munro from Line 7 and John St Clair Brown from Waiwera Infinity, it is great to get our first win on our European Tour and their ongoing support is helping make this opportunity possible for the BlackMatch boys. To the RNZYS and everyone else, thank you for your support.

Another victory for Adam Minoprio and BlackMatch Racing (left)

Original post by noreply@blogger.com (Valencia Sailing) and software by Elliott Back

Article By GREG FORD - Sunday Star Times | Sunday, 06 April 2008

Brad Butterworth believes Team New Zealand is on the cusp of going broke and has no chance of sailing in another America’s Cup if managing director Grant Dalton stays at the helm.

In an explosive interview with the Sunday Star-Times the Alinghi skipper and former America’s Cup winning Team NZ sailor:

- Slams Dalton’s decision to sue the Swiss syndicate, saying it was an act of betrayal that will ultimately lead to his demise.

- Reveals that he barely speaks to his friend and former sailing partner Russell Coutts because of the legal battle between Alinghi and Coutts’ BMW Oracle syndicate over the next America’s Cup.

- Says Alinghi owner Ernesto Bertarelli essentially ensured Team NZ was at last year’s America’s Cup in Valencia by arranging sponsorship and providing finance to the Kiwis.

Dalton denies the claims.

But Butterworth has documents and details that appear to reveal that Alinghi owner Ernesto Bertarelli not only saved Team New Zealand with a loan in 2003 but set up a sponsorship deal with Spanish brewer Estrella Damm so the team could compete in Valencia. He also financed the air freight of a Team NZ boat when it was cash-strapped and shared last year’s regatta spoils, writing a multi-million-dollar cheque to Team NZ from its profits.

“Grant definitely got special treatment,” says Butterworth. “We’re now wondering why he has taken this extraordinary action, but we now believe he’s jumped into bed with Oracle, that he’s so desperate for cash that he’s now become their lapdog.”

Sensational claims are nothing new in the America’s Cup, but Dalton had previously distanced himself from all the petty squabbling and fighting. But his decision to sue Alinghi for millions claiming they broke a promise to hold the next cup in 2009 has changed all that.

Last week, Butterworth produced Team New Zealand’s Notice of Entry signed by Dalton on July 25, 2007. In it Dalton absolves Alinghi of any liability should a third party delay the cup. It specifically refers to the risk of pending legal action from Oracle that has led to Team NZ’s exclusion from the next regatta, a multihull one-on-one challenge between Oracle and Alinghi.

“I don’t know the finer points of his financial position but my guess is he’s [Team NZ] broke,” said Butterworth.

“Why other than the fact he’s desperate and out of his depth would he take this action? It’s a joke.”

In a written statement to the Sunday Star-Times, Dalton denied his team was in financial trouble and was bullish about its legal position. “Alinghi’s view on the law has been shown consistently to be wrong in successive judgments …” he said.

“Instead of reading law books, Brad Butterworth should concentrate on learning how to sail a multihull.”

Dalton denied Bertarelli had a hand in the Estrella Damm deal but confirmed he paid the freight for a Team NZ yacht but the money was repaid.

Butterworth’s relationship with Dalton has been strained for years and the current legal wrangling for control of the cup is also putting stress on his friendship with Coutts.

In modern times the pair forged the most formidable partnership in world sailing winning the America’s Cup for Team New Zealand in 1995, defending it in 2000, and then joining Alinghi to win it in 2003.

Coutts is now chief executive and skipper of Oracle, making the men rivals.

Butterworth acknowledged the situation was tense. “I will always be his mate. I am never going to change that. We are on opposite sides of the fence this time but I still have heaps of respect for him.

“Basically I keep away from him,” Butterworth added. “We don’t talk a hell of a lot and basically when this thing is over in the future we might.”

Original post by Valencia Sailing and software by Elliott Back

[Source: BlackMatch Racing] Ahead of our upcoming tour of Europe, we have had a massive development in the team, we feel very privileged and proud to announce that BlackMatch Racing has been granted the right to enter Match Racing events representing Emirates Team New Zealand.

With the endorsement of such a well established and respected team, it by far exceeds our expectations and is a massive step in the right direction to competing against the world’s best Match Racing teams.

Our current world ranking is 43 and it would be a tough ask to gain entry into any World Tour Event this year, but since advising the World Tour of our alliance with Emirates Team New Zealand, it has also just been confirmed that we have an entry to the 2008 Brasil Sailing Cup, in Rio de Janeiro. This is the opening regatta of the World Tour to be held from April 22nd-26th and it is very encouraging to obtain an entry for this event.

There will be no financial assistance from Team New Zealand under the arrangement, but we are very lucky to have the support of our sponsors FedEx Express, Line 7, Waiwera Infinity and The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.

A big thank you to our friends, family and supporters, we will endeavour to keep you all updated on the recent developments as best we can, please also find attached a link to an article that appeared in the Sunday Herald.

Original post by Valencia Sailing and software by Elliott Back

Brad Butterwoth, Alinghi’s skipper, was interviewed on Sunday by PJ Montgomery on Newstalk ZB and fiercely attacked Team New Zealand, considering they were wasting everybody’s time on a “frivolous court case”.

He was particularly harsh with Grant Dalton, managing director of Team New Zealand, whom he criticized for bringing forth the two lawsuits against the defender of the America’s Cup. In his view, Dalton is “paying a lot of money for some fancy lawyer in New York” while he considered his former team to be a “shadow of its former self”, even stating “they are going to go bust”.

Team New Zealand has stated that all legal expenses in the New York courts are being paid by wealthy supporters of the team that desire to be anonymous. Butterworth hinted it could be Larry Ellison that was footing the bill for the kiwi team.

Listen to the entire interview through the audio player:

Original post by Valencia Sailing and software by Elliott Back

Justice Cahn, the NY State Supreme Court judge in charge of the lawsuit brought by BMW Oracle against Alinghi, will also judge the lawsuit Team New Zealand filed against Ernesto Bertarelli, Alinghi and ACM on Thursday, as the official documents from the NY Supreme Court show (see picture here below).

Team New Zealand filed two lawsuits against Alinghi on Thursday. The first action, filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, “claims damages for breach of contract arising from an agreement made as a pre-condition of ETNZ’s entry to the 33rd America’s Cup”. The second action has been filed in the Federal Court under United States anti-trust legislation. Justice Cahn will obviously judge the first case.

One of the first things Justice Cahn did right after Grant Dalton and the team’s lawyers filed their papers on Thursday was to issue an “ex parte order to compel preservation of records” (see attached PDF file at the top of the article). I’m not a lawyer, far from it, but just a quick web search is enough to find other cases with such orders. This order basically means that Team New Zealand (the Plaintiff) and Ernesto Bertarelli, Alinghi and ACM (the Defendants) are “restrained from destroying, erasing, mutilating, concealing, altering, transferring, writing over, or otherwise disposing of in any manner, directly or indirectly, any documents or records of any kind that relate to the case”.

One is to assume that Justice Cahn will thoroughly examine all these documents in order to judge the case and it should be fair to suppose that this particular case will take much longer to resolve than the one facing BMW Oracle and Alinghi.

You can now follow both cases by simply registering to the eTrack system provided by the NY State Unified Court System. After registering just enter the index of the case you are interested in. For the BMW Oracle vs Alinghi lawsuit it’s 602446/2007 and for the new one brought by Team NZ it’s 600662/2008. All information will be immediately delivered to your mailbox.

Note: According to Wikipedia, “Ex parte is a Latin legal term meaning “from (by or for) one party” (pronounced /ɛks ˈpɑrteɪ/ or /ɛks ˈpɑrti/ in English). An ex parte decision is one decided by a judge without requiring all of the parties to the controversy to be present.”

Original post by Valencia Sailing and software by Elliott Back

[Source: Alinghi] Following the press release issued on Thursday by Emirates Team New Zealand regarding the filing of two law suits, one with the New York Supreme Court and one with the United States District Court, Alinghi has prepared the following insights into the issues raised.

“…Alinghi wants to crush competition…”
Dalton appears to have a selective memory. Facts show that Alinghi and ACM have supported other teams over the course of the 32nd America’s Cup, especially ETNZ:

1. In 2004, Ernesto Bertarelli allowed ETNZ to launch their challenge by granting them a multi million euro loan. Without this cash injection, it is likely that ETNZ would not be in the form they are today and able to complain about the so-called Alinghi lack of sporting spirit.
2. When ETNZ’s boat was damaged in the Marseille Act in September 2004, ACM helped them financially to fly a second boat from New Zealand so that they could race in the following Act in Valencia in October 2004, which resulted in them winning the 2004 season.
3. ACM worked with ETNZ to secure the sponsorship of Estrella Damm.
4. The model developed by ACM for the 32AC made possible a profitable event that ended for the first time ever with millions of euro’s being distributed to all teams, including 9 million euro’s for ETNZ.

The facts prove that crushing competition has never been one of Alinghi’s objectives.

“…we would rather be racing…”
If ETNZ wanted to go racing, why spend a fortune on a legal case instead of investing the funds in the team to improve its performance on the water? What is the real intention of whoever is funding the lawsuit, who wishes to remain anonymous - other than to hurt the Defender and therefore the competition?

“…SNG has committed breaches of its fiduciary duties…”
Justice Cahn stated clearly on November 27, 2007 that Société Nautique de Genève (SNG) did not breach any of its fiduciary duties.

“…a series of actions by Alinghi have made it more likely that boats will not be in the water again until 2011…”
This is incorrect. The delay is purely a consequence of the disruption caused by the GGYC law suit filed with the New York Supreme Court.
Being in Court leads to an uncertain timeline, which does not fit with the need for certainty with the racing calendar, forcing ACM to postpone the event. There was no reason for ACM to postpone other than the lawsuit. The reported lack of funding is a false argument as the Event Fee received from the Authorities of the Host City would have been a perfect base to organise a financially viable event.

“…Alinghi had the opportunity to accept a reasonable proposal from BOR…”
Alinghi could not consider as reasonable and minor the final changes proposed by BMW Oracle Racing (BOR) in relation to the racing schedule and the two boats training. Their request heavily contradicted the model of cost containment that Ernesto Bertarelli/Alinghi were proposing and that had been agreed by all the entered teams, including ETNZ.
Additionally, the competition format proposed by BOR would have left the Defender without two boat testing and without real competition before the Match, so in a very weak position.
During the process BOR constantly changed the goal posts and added new requests to their demands hence the refusal to negotiate further.

“…Alinghi wanted to impose one-sided rules…”
From September to November 2007, ETNZ took an active part in all eight of the consultation meetings and signed off all the rules and regulations which came out of the consultation.

Original post by Valencia Sailing and software by Elliott Back

[Source: Emirates Team New Zealand] Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ), holders of the America’s Cub sailing trophy from 1995-2003, today filed lawsuits in New York Supreme Court and United States District Court charging current Cup defender Alinghi, the Swiss team owned by Italian businessman Ernesto Bertarelli, with deliberately delaying the next America’s Cup challenge to crush competition. The Kiwi sailors are seeking financial compensation from Alinghi, Bertarelli and Bertarelli-controlled AC Management for breaches of contract and trust, as well as violations of U.S. antitrust law.

In 2003 Alinghi defeated Team New Zealand at Auckland, the 32nd America’s Cup challenge since the underdog schooner America bested 15 British yachts off the Isle of Wight in 1851. The 33rd defense of the world’s oldest international sports trophy was to have been held at Valencia, Spain, in 2009, but a series of actions by Alinghi have made it more likely that boats will not be in the water again until 2011.

“The delay in staging the next America’s Cup is harming every challenging syndicate as they have to stretch budgets developed and approved for a two-year campaign over three or four years,” said ETNZ managing director Grant Dalton. “We have a duty to protect the investment in the team over many years by our loyal supporters. We also have an obligation to honor the trust shown by the hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders who have supported the team through the years.”

Boies Heads Legal Team

Heading the ETNZ legal team is attorney David Boies of New York-based Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP. The legal actions are being taken in New York in compliance with the terms of the Deed of Gift, which in 1887 set forth the rules of the competition, stating, “This Cup is donated upon the conditions that it shall be preserved as a perpetual Challenge Cup for friendly competition between foreign countries.” The document has been amended twice by the New York Supreme Court in 1956 and 1985.
“ETNZ and other racing syndicates have made significant financial commitments based on the assurances and legal obligation of Mr. Bartarelli’s organization to defend the Cup in 2009,” said Boies. “He has violated both the spirit and letter of the Deed of Gift at every turn, and is holding this venerable competition hostage in an attempt to control the substantial financial benefits of the event and eliminate competition.”

New York State Supreme Court Action

The first action, filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, claims damages for breach of contract arising from an agreement made as a pre-condition of ETNZ’s entry to the 33rd America’s Cup. The agreement involved an understanding entered into by Ernesto Bertarelli on July 25, 2007, that the America’s Cup would go ahead in 2009.

“That assurance was a pre-condition of our entry,” Dalton said. “Then on November 22 last year, before the Supreme Court of New York had even issued judgment on a challenge by Golden Gate Yacht Club (representing the American team BMW Oracle, headed by Oracle founder Larry Ellison) to the validity of the Spanish challenge, Bertarelli’s AC Management announced that the Cup would be delayed.

“Mr. Bertarelli had the chance to accept a reasonable proposal from Oracle, which was also signed by the majority of the challengers, and which would have allowed the America’s Cup to be held in 2009, said Dalton. “He would not do so.”

The action also claims that Societie Nautique de Geneve, the “yacht club” Bertarelli set up as trustee of the Cup, through the actions of the other defendants has committed breaches of its fiduciary duties that trustees owe to maintain the standing and integrity of the Cup.

U.S. District Court Action

The second action has been filed in the Federal Court under United States anti-trust legislation.

ETNZ contends that Alinghi and the other defendants, abusing the power conferred to the defender under the Deed of Gift, has acted to stifle competition for the Cup and for the right that goes with it of conducting future events by accepting a paper yacht club of no substance - - CNEV - - as the challenger of record, thereby enabling it to impose rules for the next event that were completely one-sided and which were designed to give Alinghi an unfair competitive advantage.

ETNZ also contends that Alinghi’s subsequent conduct in refusing to agree to a reasonable settlement of the BMW Oracle case, the unilateral and indefinite delaying of the event from 2009 was all designed to and had the effect of increasing other teams’ costs, including those of ETNZ.

We Would Rather Be Racing

“We are heading to court reluctantly, but have no option,” said Dalton. “We would rather be racing.”

Dalton continued: “We have to ensure that when the next America’s Cup is held, Emirates Team New Zealand is still in very good shape and ready for the battle on the water. By the time AC Management announced that the 33rd America’s Cup would be delayed, we had put together a comprehensive program for 2008, with ETNZ members competing in a number of European regattas. And we had already done an enormous amount of work on the design of the new 90ft AC class boat. Design work is continuing, although with less urgency,” said Dalton.

“ETNZ is fortunate in having the full support of our sponsors, the New Zealand Government, and team members. However the delay does come at a price and it seems prudent for the team to seek financial compensation to cover additional campaign costs and damage to our brand name and reputation and to the event in which we compete, the standing of which affects our ability to raise funds.”

Original post by Valencia Sailing and software by Elliott Back

Update 5pm: We contacted Alinghi in order to get further information on the issue and this is the official statement we received: “We haven’t received anything official yet from ETNZ and, should we do so, we have been advised not to make any comment until our legal team has fully reviewed the issues.”

This is NOT official yet but it has come from various reliable sources. The complete details are not known yet and as a result this story might not be entirely accurate, as far as the legal and technical details are concerned.

It appears Grant Dalton, managing director of Team New Zealand, is today (Thursday) in New York in order to file two lawsuits against Alinghi (or the Société Nautique de Genève) in relation to the 33rd America’s Cup. Dalton will file the papers at the New York court at 2pm local time (8pm European time).

In the first one, it appears, Team New Zealand seeks damages concerning the contract the kiwi challengers had with the organizers of the 33rd America’s Cup. We understand, Team NZ considers Alinghi (or the Société Nautique de Genève or America’s Cup Management, we don’t know at this stage) haven’t fulfilled their contractual obligations to hold an America’s Cup in Valencia in 2009, after announcing the 33rd America’s Cup would have to be delayed.

Just like the rest of the teams that entered the 33rd America’s Cup, Team NZ was working on the design and sailing aspects of the project at a very brisk pace, given the fact there was a mere 18 months between the end of one event and the start of the other. Although it appears Team NZ has sufficient funds to continue until 2011 they are seeking financial compensation.

The details of the second lawsuit are sketchier. It appears they have to do with the Protocol of the 33rd America’s Cup and the Club Nautico Español de Vela (CNEV) which the New Zealanders consider to be a paper yacht club without any substance.

I repeat, this is not OFFICIAL and the text might differ from the exact wording of the legal documents. We will keep posting more information.

Original post by Valencia Sailing and software by Elliott Back

Solid support from the people who count

The uncertainty continues in the world of the 33rd America’s Cup. The lack of resolution of the Alinghi/Oracle standoff is not the best way to end the year. Our team is raring to go, committed and focused. All we need is a date.

I can report that in spite of the uncertainty Emirates Team New Zealand is enjoying solid support from sponsors and suppliers. That means a lot to the team and we thank them all for that.

Honestly, when you combine this with the support of the people on the team, it tells a lot about the culture of this place.

A hearing is set for the New York State Supreme Court on January 14 at which Alinghi and Oracle will make submissions, after which the Court will make an order on the future of the 33rd America’s Cup.

There have been suggestions that Alinghi will appeal the New York Supreme Court ruling, but probably this would not stop the clock. As of today:
- There’s a chance that Oracle and Alinghi will be racing in catamarans in October 2008, the “Deed of Gift” challenge.
- If that happens and Oracle wins the 33rd America’s Cup they have said they will hold the next Cup in Valencia. Our preference would be for 2010.
- If Alinghi wins, it’s likely to be in 2011.

Like all things associated with this America’s Cup, the situation could change at a moments notice.

Over the past couple of months we have held a number of our supplier/sponsor breakfast briefings at the base. These functions are a great way for the team to stay in touch with the people who play a fundamental part of our everyday operations and also get their feedback. The comments have been overwhelmingly positive.

We have not been able to get everyone in before Christmas, but we plan to hold more breakfasts in the New Year.

We always like to take our supporters sailing. In previous years we have had two boats sailing most days and we have been able to put two or three people on each of them. This summer circumstances are curtailing the Auckland sailing programme, but thanks to SAIL NZ we can continue with only a few adjustments.

Those of you based in Auckland will have seen the SAIL NZ America’s Cup yachts NZL 40 and 41 sailing in Emirates Team New Zealand livery. They will be fully integrated into the team’s sponsor/supplier fulfillment programme. Guests will gather at the base early afternoon for a tour and briefing before boarding NZL 40 and 41 for three hours of match racing. At the end of the afternoon a “prize-giving” ceremony and barbecue will be held at the base.

In many ways it’ll be a better sailing experience for guests because they’ll be freed from the distractions (and delays) of the testing programme. Whenever possible, members of the sailing team will be on board. On top of their duties for Emirates Team New Zealand, SAIL NZ’s normal schedule of trips and charters for the domestic, tourism and corporate markets will continue as before.

The Alinghi/Oracle stand-off is the major unfinished business of 2007. It has affected all challengers and potential challengers, especially those that are commercially funded.

For start-up teams the situation could not be worse. TeamOrigin, the British entry, has announced that it is scaling down its operation, believing that a challenge in 2011 is now likely. We have come to share that view although we are still looking at 2009 as a possibility. It remains in Ernesto Bertarelli’s power to achieve this even now, if he agrees to Oracle’s quite reasonable settlement letter.

The team is now fully geared up for a new challenge. The design team is in place and has done a lot of work on the new AC 90 design rule. Likewise the sailing team is signed and sailing in offshore regattas. Shore crew and key business and admin people have been retained. In the meantime, we are keeping our powder dry and waiting for developments that bring some clarity.

It’s traditional in end-of year reviews to look back on the achievements of the previous 12 months. While the focus is almost exclusively on the Alinghi/Oracle action, it’s very easy to let the team’s record this year fade into distant memory.

I am proud of the team. The way the boys carried themselves in the regattas, the way the shore team prepared the boats, the way the operations, business and admin people did their jobs.

The results on the water (finishing the Acts as the top challenger, winning the Louis Vuitton Cup, fighting to the finish in the America’s Cup match) earned the New Zealand public’s respect and respect further afield.

To me, gaining that respect was our greatest achievement in 2007.

The team thanks once again our sponsors, suppliers and the public. Have a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.

Original post by Valencia Sailing and software by Elliott Back

Once again, Martin Tasker, yachting correspondent for TV New Zealand, does an excellent job in giving the view of the New Zealanders on the recent developments in Valencia.

There is a number of interesting points that come out of the report. First of all, as Dean Barker states, it is “absolutely not right” that Emirates Team New Zealand will close shop after yesterday’s announcement. According to Barker the team is intact, although Grant Dalton, the team’s general manager, and the directors face now the difficult task of finding ways to stretch a two-year budget into three or four years.

As a result, contracts will have to be reviewed, not only for the New Zealand challenger, but also for Alinghi, as Hamish Ross, the Defender’s general counsel, states. Not only that, but Ross goes on to state that “Ernesto is footing the bill. The buck stops with Ernesto.”

Finally, as Tasker reports from the Emirates Team New Zealand base, given the fact all teams realize the next America’ Cup will take place in the new AC90 boats, the kiwi challenger is putting a “huge” effort on design. While its sailor contracts are put into a “sleep mode” the design team has trebled in size!

Original post by Valencia Sailing and software by Elliott Back