Press Conference for 34th America’s Cup Promises
New Boats, Faster Sailing & Thrilling Racing
Rome, May 6th, 2010 The oldest trophy in international
sport: re-energised by unprecedented collaboration between the Defender and the Challengers: • New, fair rules and independent professional management will give an equal opportunity to all teams
• A new class of fast, exciting boats created in conjunction with all teams
• The 159-year-old competition made irresistible to commercial partners with regular racing in multiple venues under professional, neutral race management
• Transformed television and online coverage will place race fans right at the heart of the action, wherever they are in the world
This was the message conveyed
at the first press conference of the 34th America’s Cup, which saw the trophy brought to the home city of the Challenger of Record, the Club Nautico di Roma.
Speaking in the Sala Exedra in
Rome’s Musei Capitolini, surrounded by some of Rome’s most precious treasures, Russell Coutts representing the defending Golden Gate Yacht Club, and Vincenzo Onorato on behalf of the Challenger of Record, mapped out the future of the America’s Cup. The press conference webcast was streamed live around the world.
Discussion & Debate; Consultation & Collaboration
“Diktat has been replaced
by discussion, confrontation by consultation,” said Coutts, four time winner of the iconic competition. “Our minds and our ears are open. We are receptive to ideas.” The opportunity to shape the rules and the design of the new boat has been offered to potential teams.
48° NORTH, JUNE 2010 PAGE 30
New Protocol rules
Teams also received the Protocol
used in the 32nd America’s Cup and were asked: “What would you change to make the competition better?” This document was negotiated
by the Golden Gate Yacht Club and produced the successful 2007 America’s Cup. Feedback from the teams will be used to shape a new Protocol for the 34th Match. The wide-ranging reforms would
not have been possible without close co-operation with the other teams – who will be the Defender’s rivals when racing gets underway. In particular Coutts noted the
unprecedented collaboration between the Challenger of Record and Defender: “The task would have been impossible without working in partnership with
The management of the on-the-
water racing will be controlled by an independent, neutral and professional authority, not the Defender.
Vincenzo Onorato.” Onorato was given the honor of revealing the key decision date targets on behalf of the entire America’s Cup community.
Key Dates Announced
• Protocol for the 34th America’s Cup will be issued by 31st August
• Design rule released by 30th September
• Notice of Race & Sailing Instructions published by 31st December
• Venue confirmed by 31st December • Challenge Period open from 1st October – 31st January 2011
New Thinking on Television
A bow-to-stern re-think of the
entire television and media output is already underway. Not only will fans be able to turn-on
and tune-in, anytime, on any platform, but they will be made to feel as if they are on-board themselves, right at the heart of the action, alongside the best sailors in the world.
New Boat – Faster Sailing & Thrilling Racing
The new design rule will be a critical
element of building a spectacular event.
Renowned but neutral designers -
Bruce Nelson and Peter Melvin - have created two different concepts – a multihull and a monohull. Teams will sit down this month
and discuss which concept to adopt and begin the process to create a design rule.
The requirements of the new
America’s Cup Class rule are: • It should produce dynamic and close racing
• It should use advanced, efficient and cost-effective technologies
• It should be distinctive and epitomize the pinnacle of the sport
• It should be able to race in any venue in winds from 5-35 knots
The ability to race in all venues and
in most wind strengths is vital to make race scheduling reliable for fans and broadcasters. “Delays kill interest. Even the hard-
core fan doesn’t like having to wait for enough wind to race,” said Coutts.
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