Rod Davis explains team switch...Extreme 40's in Wales...Hamilton wrap

by . on 23 Aug 2014 Welcome to Sail-World.com’s New Zealand e-magazine for August 23, 2014

The America's Cup is never far from the spotlight.

On Wednesday came the announcement from Swedish America's Cup Challenger, Artemis Racing, that they had secured the services of long-time Emirates Team New Zealand coach, Rod Davis.

Although a lot of the team's sailing crew are off-contract following the 2013 America's Cup, few have elected to join other teams.

Davis is the biggest name to have moved so far, and his switch watch not foreseen by most Cup watchers.

We talked to Emirates Team New Zealand's Chief Operating Officer, Kevin Shoebridge, the following morning. He stressed that the parting was entirely amicable - a comment that was echoed by Rod Davis, when spoken to in Sweden, late that afternoon.

It seems Davis and his former team decided to part company last December. The approach came from Artemis Racing in March, and five months later he is wearing his new team's colours.

Although both parties downplay the hole that Davis will leave, we believe it will be significant. In other words, he leaves behind a big pair of shoes to fill.

There are three primary reasons - firstly he has an America's Cup experience extending back to 1977, working with many teams, and now five nations. In addition, he has sailed as a bowman, skipper and tactician - so in terms of on-board skills he has a good mix of experience - plus his years on the coach boat.

Secondly, few top coaches have achieved at the level Davis has at the Olympics - he has a Gold and Silver medal from two classes, plus his world championship wins along the way. Then there is his match racing expertise as a skipper and latterly as a coach.

His third great quality lies in his personality, and the way he can question, give advice, and cause people to question themselves. He has a great way of knowing where the game is positioned at any point in a campaign. Coaching is an art, more than a science. Davis certainly has the coaching knack, and combined with his other attributes, he is a significant acquisition for any team.

But from Emirates Team NZ's perspective there clearly is a call to refresh the team, and as Davis notes, the Team needs a new voice.

We feature both the interviews with Kevin Shoebridge, and Rod Davis, in this edition, along with the Artemis Racing announcement - which included the confirmation two new Swedish sailing crew members.

On Friday, the America's Cup Events Authority confirmed the Entries for the 35th America's Cup.

The headlines said six entries - that included the Defender.

Which makes five Challengers - from New Zealand, France, Sweden, Italy and Great Britain.

Three of those are so-called commercial teams - heavily reliant on sponsorship for their funding. The other two are also reliant to a lesser extent on sponsorship funding, but at least have the backing of a billionaire to provide the early cashflow and get the team up early and running hard. Luna Rossa has base in Cagliari, Sardinia, and a team numbering over 80. Artemis Racing are also set up and running - albeit at a reduced scale from their base in Alameda, San Francisco.

The fate of the other three will be venue and sponsorship dependent. A US venue should work for them, but expect the Challenger numbers to drop if Bermuda is selected as the venue.

Not announced was the new Challenger of Record, to replace Hamilton Island Yacht Club, however this is expected to be confirmed as Luna Rossa when the Challengers are presented at a media function on September 9, in London.

Quite what happens from that point remains to be seen.

The two burning issues are the appointment of a Regatta Director - appointed by the majority of the Competitors (whose number includes the Defender). The other more pressing issue is the fate of the Qualification Series - triggered when there are more than four teams, and to be held at a separate venue from the Match.

Few of the teams support the Qualification Series on the grounds that a team will be eliminated without even getting to the America's Cup venue, and also that of increased expense and more complex logistics.

Whether that concept sinks or flies will no doubt be decided behind closed doors in London around September 9.

Stay tuned to our website www.sail-world.com for the latest news and developments in the sailing world.
Good sailing!

Richard Gladwell
NZ Editor

sailworldnzl@gmail.com

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