Mr Louis Vuitton dies...Team Vestas Wind announces Kiwi crew

by . on 2 Sep 2014

Louis Vuitton CEO Yves Carcelle presents the Louis vuitton Trophy to Emirate Team New Zealand skipper, Dean Barker. Louis Vuitton Trophy Dubai. Chris Cameron/ETNZ http://www.chriscameron.co.nz

Welcome to Sail-World.com’s New Zealand e-magazine for September 2, 2014

The America's Cup world lost one of its gentlemen on Sunday, when former Louis Vuitton CEO, Yves Carcelle, died of cancer at the age of 66.

He of course enjoyed considerable success in the business world, with his marketing ability and vision lifting Louis Vuitton's revenue to E3.2billion per year, and with 460 stores in 50 countries.

Carcelle presided over one of the most enduring sponsorships in sport, with his company's patronage of the Louis Vuitton Cup, awarded to the winner of the Challenger Selection Series for the America's Cup.

The America's Cup and Louis Vuitton both had their origins in the 1850's, and the two had a common history, which was deftly adapted into the Louis Vuitton marketing strategy, when the occasion arose.

Emirates Team New Zealand helmsman Dean Barker celebrates with Bruno Trouble and Yves Carcelle of Louis Vuitton after the teams 3 - 2 win over Synergy (RUS) in the finals. Louis Vuitton Trophy. La Maddalena, Sardinia, Italy. 6/6/2010 © Chris Cameron/ETNZ http://www.chriscameron.co.nz

Outwardly there was often a little disconnect between the yachting public and a French luxury goods manufacturer. Louis Vuitton does not produce consumer goods, aimed at the middle market.

But for those closer to the inside of the Louis Vuitton Cup, the connection and positioning was obvious. This was an event created and run in a very subtle way for the benefit of Louis Vuitton. Their style was everywhere.

For many years from their first involvement in 1983 until 2003, Louis Vuitton not only were the naming rights sponsor of the event, but ran the shore-side activities - ensuring they were shaped in their image. It was a great gig, and worked well for everyone.

That ride ended in 2007, when the organisers of the America's Cup in Valencia decided that Louis Vuitton could not continue in their traditional role and would be relegated to an event sponsor. That continued in San Francisco in 2013, and marked the end of Louis Vuitton's involvement in the America's Cup.

Long time Louis Vuitton Cup organiser, Christine Belanger with Yves Carcelle, CEO of Louis Vuitton at a Louis Vuitton Pacific Series Media Conference - the series marked 25 years of Louis Vuitton involvement in the America’s Cup. © Richard Gladwell www.photosport.co.nz

The enigmatic Yves Carcelle guided the Louis Vuitton involvement. For sure he was greatly aided by Bruno Trouble and Christine Belanger, who did the work on the ground. Together they were a great team, and achieved in a very unique way.

Carcelle received the equivalent of a Knighthood in France, being a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor and was also created an Honorary Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit. The latter is rarely awarded to those who are not NZ citizens, but such was the impression that Carcelle made in New Zealand in 2000 and 2003 Louis Vuitton Cups.

Patrizio Bertelli and Francesco de Angelis are presented with the Louis Vuitton Cup by Yves Carcelle (right) of Louis Vuitton in 2000. © Event Media

The mark of the man came after the 2007 America's Cup, when Golden Gate YC and Societe Nautique de Geneve were locked in two and a half year legal battle over conduct of the America's Cup. Louis Vuitton stepped in, realising that the other America's Cup teams had to survive, and put Louis Vuitton's mana behind the Louis Vuitton trophy which was contested between ten teams.

Louis Vuitton's and Carcelle's role changed where he had a more personal role, supporting and encouraging at the events in the hope that they would all survive to better days when the legal battle was over. Sadly that did not happen, but Carcelle stepped down from his CEO role with Louis Vuitton in 2012. We have a full tribute to Yves Carcelle in this edition.

Team Vestas Wind bore leaving for Alicante, Spain. © Ainhoa Sanchez/Volvo Ocean Race http://www.volvooceanrace.com

Also on Sunday, the latest entry in the Volvo Ocean race, Team Vestas Wind, left the port of Southampton, bound for the port of the race start, Alicante in Spain.

Aboard Team Vestas Wind were two Kiwi Round the World Race veterans, Rob Salthouse and Tony Rae, between them they have seven RTW races, with Rae doing his first 30 years ago at the age of 23, aboard Lion New Zealand.

They join their skipper from Camper ETNZ, Chris Nicholson, and will provide a very experienced core to the team. They are joined by two others with Round the World race experience, both in the Volvo and doublehanded RTW racing.

We have the crew list and backgrounds in this edition of Sail-World.com.

Chris Nicholson and Tony Rae sailing on Team Vestas Wind. © Ainhoa Sanchez/Volvo Ocean Race

35th annual classic yacht regatta -2014 George Bekris-0001-001 - Panerai 35th Annual Classic Regatta © george bekris

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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