America's Cup Media Conference - Rome - Live commentary

by Richard Gladwell on 6 May 2010
The first media conference has concluded for the 34th America's Cup in Rome.

The key points are set out below, in a second story Sail-World has the official release issued a few minutes after the Press Conference in Sala Exedra in Rome's Musei Capitolini.

Generally there wasn't anything new, that had not been announced previously, or had been reported in Sail-World. BMW Oracle Racing CEO, Russell Coutts did most of the talking and was always careful not to make any comment that could be construed as a decision made on a particular point.

He did set down some timeframes which would be met and generally the framework for the whole event will be in place by the end of 2010. Entries will open around the beginning of December and will close at the end of January 2011.

Probably the other surprise was that a multihull was still in serious contention as a type of America's Cup yacht. Coutts did go out of his way to emphasize the need to the new class to be spectacular and inspiring to to young sailors and fans.

His other theme was on the rules - the avoidance of disputes, the reduction on the rules emphasis that has dogged the event, and a need to make the game simpler and more understandable to the fans.

All teams will be involved in the development of the new event and boat, as well as the media and TV.

- Russell Coutts said that the rules will all be in a single America's Cup document.

- Bruce Nelson and Melvin and Morelli have been commissioned to develop new concepts for a multihull and monohull. A meeting will be called to which leading designers will be invited to discuss the concept.

- Boats will have to be capable of sailing in winds of up to 35 knots.

- Key is to avoid delay in the America's cup racing. need a boat that spans a wide range of conditions.

- Race officials will be able to adjust the length of the race course to suit the TV schedules.

- A draft protocol sent to all teams yesterday and asked as to how they would improve it, on an equal competition basis. The 32nd America's Cup Protocol is a starting model for the new draft Protocol

- The amount of work that required to be done means that the next America's Cup will be held in 2013 or 2014, would not say if the event will be staged in USA. Have engaged professional event specialists to assist. Says that Larry Ellison is open to take the Cup to the venue that will make the next Cup the best ever.

- Will have a mutually agreed Jury for the next event.

- Vicenzo Onorato says that the Protocol will be published be August 2010, all other basics to be determined by 31 December 2010.

- Entries to open on 1 October 2010 and close on 31 January 2011

- Coutts says there is a need to save costs and enhance the commercial value of the teams. But may do things that will increase costs, but these will greatly increase the value of the event.

- Coutts makes no comment on any changes to the Deed of Gift saying that it is a fantastic document. If any changes are made then will be done in conjunction with all teams. Makes comment about the rolling venue concept.

- Coutts expects that there will be regular events in 2012 involving the teams racing in the new class of boat.

- Changes will make the Cup more fun and will entice commercial partners. Coutts says that commercial partners of the past are very keen to rejoin the America's Cup - presumably a reference to Louis Vuitton

- Vicenzo Onorato says the aim of both parties is to maintain a good event, and a fair event in co-operation with all parties.

- Coutts won't be drawn on his personal preference for a multihull or monohull - saying it will be a decision for all teams. says they are trialling some things now for television.

- Will be series of events for the selection and the final selection series at the venue. makes a point of saying that the Defender will not sail in the selection series 'at the venue' implying that the Defender will sail in the Selection Series events that are sailed outside the America's Cup venue.

- In response to a question on how to avoid the confrontation of the last America's Cup, Coutts says that good governance is required. 'The International Jury is the body in my opinion. That way the teams have no need to go to the Courts to answer any of the issues.'

- In response to a question from Bruno Trouble says that nothing has been done on the nationality component in the crews, short term to allow new crews into the America's Cup, but that long term it must come.

- On difficult of defending the Cup, Coutts says they are not worried it is supposed to be difficult and they look forward to that, and it is the way it should be. GGYC won't be putting in place measures that will only apply to them and not the Challengers. there will be a Defender series, but they are in discussions as to how many boats there will be allowed. There will be a Defender Series.

- Coutts says that for this occasion that GGYC have put together a temporary logo and image for the event until the whole group has time to sort out a common position.

- Coutts says he has spent part of the last week with Paul Cayard (WSTA) and will meet with the teams at the next Louis Vuitton Trophy, and there is a designers conference in two weeks in Valencia.

- Have sent the 32 AC Protocol to the teams of WSTA and others. Coutts says that having a large number of Challengers does not necessarily make for the success of the event, and that eight or ten good teams would be fine.

- Happy to have other teams in the Defence Trials and if that other team prevails then they will go forward to be the Defender ahead of BMW Oracle Racing.

-Coutts keen to get rules simple and to do away with endless meetings involving rules experts, and instead those experts go into the task of coaching their teams.

- Issue of spending cap is raised, Coutts says that teams have to become commercially sustainable in the long term without the benefit of a billionaire to make up the shortfall. talks of sailing blackout period when the teams are not allowed to sail to reduce the costs - typically of which 65% goes on personnel.

- Vicenzo Onorato says that discussions to date have been to find areas of mutual agreement and then to involve the other Challengers.

- Coutts says that Alinghi will be part of the process 'I've been wanting to talk with them for years'