New Series likely to be set up Inside or Outside America's Cup

by Richard Gladwell on 8 Apr 2009
Since the announcement of the decision of the Appeal Court of New York State, last Friday, the silence on the America's Cup scene has been deafening.

The reasons are not clear. Previously, rapid fire media releases and statements have not helped any mediation process. But five days without any public comment is a long time in America's Cup circles, and particularly so with a landmark decision such as that handed down on 2 April, New York time.

Indicators are pointing increasingly to a Deed of Gift Match in 90ft multihulls.

Faced with the choice of three hours of racing followed potentially by another 18 months in Court, most of those in the America's Cup 'family' are now calling for a Multi Challenger event run under the Mutual Consent provision of the Deed of Gift.

Over the last year and a half, the only bright shining star on the America's Cup horizon has been Louis Vuitton Pacific Series, staged in Auckland earlier this year, after just four months organisation.

Last night (NZT) www.sail-world.com/nz!Sail-World_NZ spoke to Director of that regatta, Bruno Trouble, whose involvement with the America's Cup extends back to 1970's as a helmsman, and since for 20 years as the Event Director for the Louis Vuitton Cup.

'Louis Vuitton are extremely pleased with the way the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series developed. Not just because of the coverage (which has been since valued in the tens of millions of Euros) but but also the smiles, and the quality of the racing.

'We would love to continue and organize a few Louis Vuitton Series type regattas, either outside or as a complement to the America's Cup circuit', Trouble added.

He recognizes that such a move might not be on the Alinghi and America's Cup Management's shopping list, and that the success of such series is dependent on the resolve of the other challenger teams and the new Challenger of Record, BMW Oracle Racing.

'We also have to convince many of the newer teams, who need the experience and exposure, that this is the way to go until the America's Cup is really back on track. However, in the meantime, we are doing the groundwork with venues and building an understanding how such a series of regattas could work. The soonest we could be running the next regatta in the Louis Vuitton Series is the end of this year.'

The latest issue of the authoritative yacht racing magazine, Seahorse, contains an analysis of the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series by top yachting journalist, Tim Jeffery.

In the penultimate paragraph he notes ' it was clear that while in New Zealand, Alinghi supremo, Ernesto Bertarelli had reached out once more to the French luxury goods brand that was synonymous with the Cup for 25 years. It is understood that Bertarelli has also since written to Vuitton's (CEO) Yves Carcelle offering to talk about repairing a fractured relationship.'

Bruno Trouble bristles at the mention of Alinghi and ACM. 'As long as Alinghi is making the calls, it will not be easy . They insulted us in 2007 and it will be very difficult to forget that. It (any involvement by Louis Vuitton) depends on budgets as much as it does on Louis Vuitton's role.

'If we are only a ‘’sponsor’’ paying the bill ( as we were in 2007) it will be a firm ‘’NO’’. If we are included in the organisation the way we were for 20 years ( 1983/2004 ) then we might be back.'

Ever a traditionalist, Trouble does not like the idea of the Defender sailing in the Challenger Selection series, as Alinghi prescribed in their now-defunct Protocol. Trouble would like to see America's Cup return to being a Challenge Trophy as envisaged by America's Cup donor George Schulyer in the Deed of Gift.

'Having the defender racing against all the challengers before the Final Match (America's cup) is a big mistake and shows a lack of respect and knowledge of the America's Cup’s historical magic.

'But whatever happens in the next two years, with the America's Cup, Louis Vuitton will not be too far away, he adds.

How does Trouble see the next few weeks shaping up?

'I truly believe that BMW Oracle, Golden Gate YC and Larry Ellison will do as much as they can to have a multiple challenger involvement in the next America's Cup. However in my opinion there is only about 25% chance of this eventuating.

'To be sure, BMW Oracle Racing certainly don't want to be seen as the one who will be responsible for leaving all the other teams outside the 33rd America's Cup.

'Whether Alinghi and Ernesto Bertarelli will accept the new situation, handed down by the Appeal Court and negotiate with BMW Oracle Racing, is the key element in the America's cup, now. A lot of things will be difficult to swallow for the Swiss!

'Obviously , Alinghi is quite confident that they can win the duel (a Multihull Match) and then set the rules they want for the many years to come.

'They will try to go in that direction, without taking the responsibility for a failed negotiation with BMW Oracle Racing,' he concludes.

Meanwhile in Valencia, BMW Oracle Racing issued the following statement:

'The Golden Gate Yacht Club and its team, BMW ORACLE Racing, remain committed to negotiate with the Defender, Société Nautique de Genève/Alinghi, a conventional mutual consent protocol for the next America's Cup that would involve all teams.

'This follows the April 2 decision of the New York State Court of Appeals confirming the Golden Gate Yacht Club as the Challenger of Record for the 33rd America's Cup.

'BMW ORACLE Racing's owner, Larry Ellison, and the President of Alinghi, Ernesto Bertarelli, have communicated with each other since the court ruling.

'At this stage the club believes it is best to keep communications between the parties private in the interests of reaching a successful conclusion as quickly as possible. '