by Jane Eagleson
As part of the continuing process toward establishing the neutral, independent, professional and fair race management entity to run the 34th America’s Cup and AC World Series regattas, America’s Cup Race Management (ACRM) today welcomed the appointment of two directors by the World Sailing Teams Association (WSTA) to the five-person ACRM Board of Directors.
James Farmer (NZL), a Trustee of Emirates Team New Zealand, and Mikhail Tuzov (RUS), a founding member of the Synergy team, were nominated by the WSTA board this week at a meeting in Valencia, Spain. ACRM welcomes the appointments of James Farmer and Mikhail Tuzov as WSTA’s board representatives to ACRM,” said Iain Murray, ACRM CEO and Regatta Director of the 34th America’s Cup. “This brings us one step closer to formalizing ACRM and moving forward on preparations for running the 34th America’s Cup regatta. The Board will play an important part in assuring a fair competition for all.”
Murray was appointed Regatta Director last month and serves as CEO of ACRM which is still in the early stages of its formation. The ACRM is being established by the Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC), the current America’s Cup Trustee, as a perpetual entity to run fair racing for the benefit of all competitors.
The Protocol Governing the 34th America’s Cup calls for a five-member ACRM Board consisting of: the Regatta Director (who also serves as Chief Executive), one person appointed by the Defender, one person appointed by the Challenger of Record, and two persons appointed by WSTA. The Defender and Challenger Record representatives are expected to be announced soon.
Mikhail Tuzov is a businessman, engineer and investor in Russia who was among the founders of the Synergy Russian Sailing Team, which has successfully competed in the TP52 Class on the Audi MedCup circuit and in the Louis Vuitton Trophy.
James Farmer is a Barrister and Queen’s Counsel in New Zealaand and has been a Director and Trustee with Emirates Team New Zealand since 2004. He was the team’s representative on the Challenger Commission during the 32nd America’s Cup.
The complete ACRM Board is expected to be in place later this month and plans to convene for the first time in advance of a Competitors’ briefing scheduled for 22nd October in Paris.
America's Cup
