November 2013 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 7. America's Cup News: Looking Towards the Next Challenge
The 2013 America’s Cup in numbers The 2013 America’s Cup was a revolu- tion in the sport. The legacy of the Ameri- ca’s Cup on San Francisco Bay is bringing the racing to the fans and then delivering fantastic 50 mph boats, enthralling racing, ground-breaking television graphics and the sports comeback story of the century. “This regatta has changed sailing for-
ever. More people watched the fi rst race of this America’s Cup than all of the America’s Cups in history, so I think it’s a success,” said Larry Ellison, whose vision of high-speed, wing sail catamarans racing in the tight confi nes of San Francisco Bay was realized this month.
The contest for the oldest trophy in international sport was completely modern- ized with innovation and
technology.Invest- ment in television graphics and production meant new fans could instantly recognize and understand what was happening on the water.
The AC Liveline technology behind the graphics won an Emmy Award and changed the way the sport is viewed on television. “I think about this regatta and what it means to sailing,” said Ellison. “I think it was absolutely spectacular. If a bunch of kids are inspired to go sail, I’m a happy guy.” Here are the numbers behind the event: 190 countries broadcast the America’s Cup on television; America’s Cup broadcast in news bulletins globally 15,000 times; Over 320,000 downloads of the America’s Cup app; Over 1 million visitors to the offi cial public sites in San Francisco at America’s Cup Park and America’s Cup Village. Hundreds of thousands more viewed the racing from the city front; Nearly 10,000 hospitality guests; Over 5 million unique visitors to
AmericasCup.com in September
and over 45-million page views during the Summer of Racing (July 1 to September 26); 24.8 million views of videos on YouTube; Over 100 million minutes of videos viewed in the past month; 575 accredited media, from 32 countries; A 19 show America’s Cup Concert Series; and Over 25% of the population of New Zealand watched the racing broadcast live during the America’s Cup Finals
Australia’s Hamilton Island Yacht Club confi rmed as Challenger of Record Hamilton Island Yacht Club (HIYC), located on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Australia, has challenged for the 35th America’s Cup. HIYC’s challenge has been accepted by the Golden Gate Yacht Club, which remains the Defender and Trustee of the world’s oldest international sporting trophy after its team, ORACLE TEAM USA owned by Larry Ellison, won the 34th America’s Cup in San Francisco last Wednesday.
For the past three decades HIYC has run Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, which has become the largest annual regatta in Austra- lia with some 200 offshore yachts competing in recent years.
HIYC is led by Australian winemaker and sailing legend Bob Oatley, whose suc- cession of yachts named Wild Oats have dominated ocean racing in Australia for years, including having won six of the last eight Sydney-Hobart races. An Australian team led by Mr. Oatley won the last Admi- ral’s Cup, widely regarded as the world’s top prize in ocean racing. The challenge was fi led by Mr. Oatley and his son, Sandy, on behalf of HIYC shortly after ORACLE TEAM USA won the thrilling deciding fi nal race in the 34th
America’s Cup against Emirates Team New Zealand on San Francisco Bay on September 25th.
“We are delighted to have Hamilton
Island Yacht Club and the Oatley’s leading Australia back into the America’s Cup for the fi rst time since 2000,” said GGYC Vice Commodore and America’s Cup liaison Tom Ehman. “Hamilton Island’s challenge was fi led on the day Australia was celebrat- ing the 30th anniversary of Australia II’s historic win in the 1983 America’s Cup off Newport, RI, which ended New York Yacht Club’s 132-year reign as the Cup’s defend- er.”
“Given Australia’s previous success in
the America’s Cup, the Admiral’s Cup and Olympic yachting, and as proud Australians, we think it is time for our nation to be back in our sport’s pinnacle event,” Mr. Oatley said. “The recently completed America’s Cup in San Francisco has revolutionized the sport for sailors and fans, and we were excited to see how many Australians played key roles on the teams and in the regatta organization.” Vice Commodore Ehman added, “The dates, type of boat, format and rules are sub-
ject to negotiation between the Challenger of Record and Defender following consul- tation with prospective challengers, venues, sponsors and other stakeholders. Both Clubs are keen to have multiple challengers, as has been the norm since 1970, and to cut campaign costs for all teams. But fi rst we must determine the venue, which, under the America’s Cup Deed of Gift, is decided by the Defender.”
Five for 35 – Names to look for in the 35th America’s Cup
The 34th America’s Cup opened up op-
portunities for a new breed of America’s Cup sailor. Fitter, younger, new to the game, but bursting with accomplishments in dinghy classes where going fast, and sailing on the edge were the daily routine.
Plenty of young sailors played promi- nent roles in this America’s Cup, including Kyle Langford, at 24 the youngest sailor in the event, who was thrust into a starring role as the wing trimmer on ORACLE TEAM USA.
Continued on Page 19.
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