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AC Emirates Team New Zealand on track with key sponsor

Emirates Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton made the big announcement on Wednesday that his team has secured Nespresso—a former Alinghi sponsor—as their fifth premium-level sponsor, thus ensuring that the team will be able to wage a full-on campaign for the 34th America's Cup. 'We believe that we can mount a credible challenge that will have a very good chance of winning the America's Cup,' said Dalton at the team's press conference.

Emirates Team New Zealand announce their participation in the America's Cup and the signing of Nespresso as a sponsor.  Chris Cameron/ETNZ

'As the longest-standing America's Cup team, their experience, expertise and innovative mindset, driven by a fighting team spirit, is an inspiration for Nespresso and our employees,' said Richard Girardot, CEO Nestlé Nespresso S.A. 'We wish Grant Dalton and the Team much success.' Read the full story inside and check out Sail-World.com's video interview with Dalton, also inside.

On a more infamous note, Emirates Team New Zealand became the second team (to date; there will be more) to capsize an AC45 two days ago when they flipped their wingsail-powered turbo cat in Auckland. Thankfully no one was hurt and only minor damage was sustained to the wingsail. 'Every time we take the yacht out we test to the limits in the conditions prevailing, otherwise there's no point to the testing process,' said Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker.

In Volvo Ocean Race (VOR) circles, several big announcements have been made in recent days. On the hometown front, Puma Ocean Racing has announced that Arden Oksanen will serve as their Media Crew Member (MCM). Groupama has added even more firepower to their star-studded crew with the news that French soloist Thomas Colville (the famed solo skipper of the offshore maxi-trimaran, Sodebo, which just finished an ill-fated Jules Verne Trophy attempt) will be joining the team. 'I've dreamt about the Volvo Ocean Race since I was sixteen years of ages,' said Colville. 'It's one of the most fascinating races for me.' Not to be outdone, Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing announced some key positions, including Rob Greenhalgh (formerly of Puma) as a watch captain, Justin Ferris (also Puma alumni) as a helmsman-trimmer and onboard sailmaker, American Nick Dana, PUMA's back-up MCM in the last race, as MCM, and Paul Willcox joins as an 'under-30' crewmember. 'We said we wanted to be highly competitive on all fronts; we are close to making good on that promise,' said Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing' skipper, Ian Walker. Read the full reports, in this issue.

Oracle Racing Technical Director Mike Drummond checks the wingsailed Optimist - Toyota Optimist Nationals 2011. Image: Nick Glanfield

And being a Friday, your editor humbly suggests that you reward yourself with a few extra minutes of fun screen time and check out the world's first wingsail-powered (drum roll please) Optimist. Interestingly, this rig was created and influenced by some of the best minds in the AC game, including Oracle Racing's Technical Director Mike Drummond. Check out the full story, inside.

May the four winds blow you safely home.

David Schmidt, US Editor Sail-World.com

America's Cup: Emirates Team NZ score top international design talent Richard Gladwell, Emirates Team New Zealand have named some of their 30 strong team have assembled for the 34th America's Cup. The group was named yesterday, and has been on the project for over six months. It is now obvious that the initial funding to which the team had access ahead of securing major sponsor backing, has been used to pull together a very strong multi-national design team.... [more] Share this story

US 18 Footers League to build in size and skill Max Headway, The newly formed US 18 Footers League is hoping to become the central clearinghouse for 18' sailing in the US. 'We are working in conjunction with other international fleets to build the US 18 fleet in size and skill, raise the profile of 18 sailing locally, nationally, and internationally, and hopefully, eventually use it as a platform to pitch the boats and the 'league' to potential sponsors... [more] Share this story

Bob Fisher celebrates his 21st birthday, again and again ... Various Sinners, Doyen of the sailing media, Bob Fisher was sixty something or other, this week. One of the downsides of the social media is that you often have to enter your birth date - and all your friends get the tip-off. Last week, Bob's big day came around again, and the occasion was dutifully passed around the SINnerS (members of the Society of International Nautical Scribes) for comment... [more] Share this story

Olympic Games Sailing. Keen to be there? Latest news Mark Angell, Keen to be at the London 2012 Olympic Games Sailing? Read on ...... [more] Share this story

Soling World Championship preview Soling Worlds, Soling Audi World Championship - 'Chiemsee is one of the world´s most unpredictable places to sail' said Stuart Walker, a Soling class legend.... [more] Share this story

ADOR strengthen record-breaking intercontinental race outfit ADOR Media, Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) has pulled together the most intercontinental sailing team ever entered for the gruelling nine-month, 39,000 nautical mile Volvo Ocean Race, signalling its intent to push for top honours in this 37-year-old ‘Everest of Sailing'.... [more] Share this story

Semaine Olympique Française - Record participation in Hyeres Corinne Rolland-McKenzie, With the European circuit now in full swing and many teams competing for Olympic selections, all the sailors aspiring for a spot in London are converging to the south of France in Hyères, host of the famous 'Semaine Olympique Française'.... [more] Share this story

Antigua Sailing Week - Just a few days to go Louay Habib, With just a few days to go until the 44th Antigua Sailing Week, English and Falmouth Harbour are filling up with yachts of all shapes and sizes.... [more] Share this story

America's Cup: Emirates Team NZ pick up Alinghi sponsor for campaign Richard Gladwell, New sponsors are hard to find in the America's Cup and it was to the surprise of many that Emirates Team NZ CEO, Grant Dalton was able to announce coffee maker, Nespresso as the fifth premium level sponsor at the teams entry confirmation announcement yesterday. Nestlé Nespresso S.A., is a worldwide pioneer and reference for highest quality premium portioned coffee.... [more] Share this story

Transatlantic Race 2011 fleet finalized Trish Jenkins, While the water views from anywhere along Newport Harbor (R.I.) are already magnificent, they will be absolutely breathtaking in late June and early July when 32 ocean-going yachts set sail in the Transatlantic Race 2011.... [more] Share this story

Lewmar Safety Notice Lewmar Marine, On 5 March 2011, an accident occurred aboard a 2006 Amel 54 in Jolly Harbour Marina, Antigua while carrying out the lifting operation of a crew member using a self-tailing winch. Currently, an investigation is underway.... [more] Share this story

Artemis Racing AC45 training in Auckland Terry Hutchinson, We have been on the ground for four days in preparation for the AC45 test events next week here in Auckland. Not unlike the sailing team, this version of the America's Cup is taking on an entire new look. TV, jet ski umpires and onboard lighting systems are all becoming part of the new world... [more] Share this story

America's Cup: Grant Dalton on the state of the Kiwi Cup play + Video Richard Gladwell, Emirates Team New Zealand CEO, Grant Dalton spoke with Sail-World's NZ Editor after the sponsorship announcement today. He reveals the contribution of the likes of Glenn Ashby; describes the Oracle Racing team as 'old'; discusses the merits of using cranes for launching AC72's says Emirates Team NZ do not have their complete set of sponsors in place yet... [more] Share this story

America's Cup: Emirates Team NZ confirms campaign, announces sponsors Warren Douglas, Emirates Team New Zealand announced today that it was challenging for the 34th America's Cup to be sailed at San Francisco in 2013. Managing Director Grant Dalton said the team was now in a position to formally announce its campaign. 'We believe that we can mount a credible challenge which will have a very good chance of winning the America's Cup. That's our mission and that is the expectation... [more] Share this story

Ocean highway man Casey Smith prepares for next Volvo Race Tracey Johnstone, Casey Smith is one of an amazing group of ocean sailors that has made the Volvo Ocean Race his own. Competing in this race on board Puma's il mostro in 2008/09, Smith's taste for the fast, furious and at times dangerous racing conditions of a Volvo Ocean Race has not been sated.... [more] Share this story

America's Cup - Test periods to focus on preparation and refinement America's Cup, In preparation for the America's Cup World Series 2011, which kicks off this August in Cascais, Portugal and features stops in Plymouth, UK and San Diego, event organizers will stage on and off the water dress rehearsals in Auckland April 26-29 and May 2-6.... [more] Share this story

Evolution Sails helps Virago take first at St. Barth's Bucket Evolution Sails, Congratulations to the crew of the 30m Swan 100 Virago for their spectacular performance at the 25th St. Barth's Bucket! Built in 2006 and designed by German Frers, Virago was powered by an Evolution spinnaker and racing jib.... [more] Share this story

Puma Ocean Racing announce Volvo Ocean Race Media Crew member Puma Ocean Racing, Puma Ocean Racing powered by Berg Propulsion completes their team with Arden Oksanen as the Media Crew Member (MCM) role aboard Puma's Mar Mostro for the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012.... [more] Share this story

Semaine Olympique Francaise - Team AlphaGraphics in Hyères, France Dana Paxton, With three ISAF World Cup events behind them, US Sailing Team AlphaGraphics athletes are in Hyères, France this week for the next stop of the series.... [more] Share this story

Spice up your Olympic Sailing Regatta Markus Schwendtner, Tired of watching tiny white boats wiggling around the race course on 4 knots boat speeds in just under 2 hours ? Don't you think that spectators and media would expect a bit more action to stay on the shore or in front of the TV ? Then we might have something for you...... [more] Share this story

Velux 5 Oceans Canadian skipper Derek Hatfield second Velux 5 Oceans, The stage is set for a thrilling finale to the Velux 5 Oceans solo round the world yacht race after Canadian ocean racer Derek Hatfield claimed second place in the penultimate sprint today.... [more] Share this story

Semaine Olympique Française - Hyères gears up ISAF, Hyères, France is all set to host the Semaine Olympique Française, the fourth regatta on the ISAF Sailing World Cup series.... [more] Share this story

Velux 5 Oceans skipper Derek Hatfield finishes second in Sprint Four Velux 5 Oceans, Velux 5 Oceans veteran Canadian sailor Derek Hatfield has arrived in Charleston, South Carolina, finishing second in the fourth sprint of the round the world yacht race.... [more] Share this story

PredictWind runs new technology aboard TVS Zoe Hawkins and Sail-World, Thanks to a light weather forecast there is no talk of blitzing records in the 130 nautical mile Auckland to Tauranga yacht race starting Thursday 21 April. But the crew and their supporters will have plenty of time to play with their new toy – a live tracker complete with camera and weather instruments.... [more] Share this story

Rainier Cup Regatta 2011 recap and results Kyle Eaton, Rainier Cup Regatta 2011 was held in Cascade Locks, Oregon during April 16th-17th.... [more] Share this story

Wingsailed Optimist rig unveiled for 2011 Toyota Optimist Nationals Richard Gladwell, Members of the Oracle Racing America's Cup team have been busy ahead of the 2011 Toyota Optimist Nationals, due to get underway at Auckland's Wakatere Boating Club which get underway tomorrow. Several members of the various America's Cup teams live in the Devonport area, and took the opportunity to develop a wingsail rig suitable for the Optimist.... [more] Share this story

America's Cup: Emirates Team NZ capsize AC45 in Auckland Richard Gladwell, Emirates Team New Zealand today confirmed that their AC45 had capsized in Auckland while training today. The one design wingsailed catamaran left the Viaduct Harbour just before 1000hrs this morning and returned soon after noon.... [more] Share this story

Velux 5 Oceans - Brad Van Liew four for four Velux 5 Oceans, American solo sailor Brad Van Liew today made it an incredible four wins out of four legs in the Velux 5 Oceans.... [more] Share this story

Audi MedCup Circuit 2011 start one month away Audi MedCup, There is only one month left until the start of the Audi MedCup Circuit 2011 and organizers are finalizing preparations. As did the Portuguese jewel last season, Cascais by Lisbon starts the season with the Trophy of Portugal running from May 16th - 22nd.... [more] Share this story

Oakcliff Sailing Center's Team Quaglio sweeps ABC qualifiers Diana Dozier, Oakcliff Sailing Center's Mike Quaglio, Kyra Quaglio, and Mike Tolsma won the US Sailing's ABC Qualifiers this past weekend.... [more] Share this story

Falling skies and active hurricanes BoatUS, Keeping American boaters aware of the need to make early preparations for the upcoming hurricane season is a tough job for the USA's boat owners group, BoatUS.... [more] Share this story

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