America's Cup- Large turnout for secret Challenger Briefing in Paris

by America's Cup Media and Sail-World on 23 Oct 2010
Twenty-four prospective teams for the 34th America’s Cup met today with the newly established independent organization, America’s Cup Race Management (ACRM), regarding the details for the next Cup racing cycle set to begin in 2011 with an America’s Cup World Series.

The turnout was in line, or higher, with similar first meetings for previous America's Cup cycles. However the number of attendees was far higher than picked by most pundits who were struggling to get more than six serious teams.

It is believed that two teams who did not attend were TeamOrigin and winner of the 31st and 32nd America's Cups, Alinghi.

The list of participants at the briefing has not been posted, and the two supplied images of the event are all taken from behind the group to avoid the possibility of being identified, however it is expected that a list of interested parties will be made known later in the America's Cup cycle. Certainly entries will be announced as they are made.

The current level of secrecy, and anonymity is at odds with previous initial Challenger meetings where full participant lists have been published and full group photos made available. However the agreement has been made with the teams that their participation and interest is a matter for them to declare rather than the event organisers.

Regatta Director Iain Murray told sail-World after the meeting that he was still sticking with BMW Oracle CEO Russell Coutts projections that they could identify five strong teams within the group, that eight would be a good entry and 12 would be a bonus.

Budgets for teams competing in the 34th America's Cup are believed to be in line with that for the 32nd America's Cup, and may be reduced, depending on the sponsorship model being used by ACRM and ACEA.

In previous edition the group of 20 potential challengers has shaken down to a starting group of about 12 Challengers for the opening race of the Challenger Selection series.

Iain Murray told Sail-World that the high entry and performance fees that had been the subject of some speculation, as a barrier to entry, were not even raised or discussed at the meeting.

Sail-World will have a report on the interview with Iain Murray later today.

Official Media Release:

'With the entry period for the teams fast approaching, we called the prospective teams together to share with them as much information as is available on all aspects of the America’s Cup starting next year and ramping up to the 34th America’s Cup in 2013,' said Iain Murray, CEO and Regatta Director for the ACRM.

'The goal is to get everyone on the same page on where we are in the planning and to encourage candid discussion and input. Communication among the prospective teams is important right now with a new event format, new boats and new event management. It’s an exciting time in the America’s Cup, but there’s plenty of work ahead before we get to the start line.'

The newly established event organization ACRM is also designed to carry on beyond the 34th America’s Cup, no matter which team wins. This will reintroduce certainty to the sport and benefit the teams with the stability of an ongoing event management entity and an ongoing robust racing program.

The 45 representatives, on behalf of 24 teams from 13 countries, reviewed the marketing and television plans from the recently formed commercial arm, the America’s Cup Event Authority. The ACEA will provide the financial stability to allow the America’s Cup the continuity of racing and management from cycle to cycle regardless of Defender/Trustee.

'The teams are now in the marketplace for prospective partners to fund their programs,' said Richard Worth, Chairman of ACEA. 'We are supporting them as much as possible by providing the teams with the right tools to help source commercial partners.'

'With the planned enhancements for the media model and other positive event changes, the teams have the best package ever to attract sponsors on board,' Worth said.

The entry period for competitors opens on the first of November and closes 31 March 2011. Teams are at an important stage to evaluate and finalize their plans to enter.

Friday’s meeting was a preliminary briefing and it marked the first gathering of prospective competitors with ACRM and ACEA officials.

The briefing included a review of the event management structure, commercial matters, venue update, the 2011 AC World Series program, plans for the AC45 catamaran, the newly released AC 72 class rule, cost reduction strategies and possible budgets for prospective teams.

A regular series of Competitor Forums, as required by the Protocol that provides the framework of rules for the 34th AC, will start next month once the entry period has opened.