by Russell Coutts
Our position that rudders should not be included in teh Load Water-Line has been supported by the New York Supreme Court.
We welcome this decision. We also totally support the Court's initiative to resolve the remaining issues with input from experts who are previous America's Cup jurors and able to bring their experience to bear on sailing and technical matters.
Justice Kornreich has asked Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) and the defender, Société Nautique de Genève (SNG), to nominate three persons to attend a hearing of the New York Supreme Court next Wednesday, November 4. Each side will nominate one former juror who, in turn, will select the third.
Their combined testimony will help determine:
- the use of moveable water ballast in the measurement of LWL
- whether it is safe to race off Valencia, Spain, in February 2010 (the date of the 33rd Match)
- whether racing and other rules can be changed after the Notice of Race is issued
- the timing of the International Jury being empanelled for an America's Cup Match
- and whether the agreement between the International Sailing Federation and SNG leaves this Jury unencumbered to be independent and objective
These issues go right to the heart of what we have advocated all along: fair rules and fair play.
This is a significant step towards getting the America's Cup back on track.
Golden Gate Yacht Club
BMW ORACLE Racing
Monday, 2 November 2009
Friday, 30 October 2009
TJV: City of Le Havre Trophy - Paul Vatine: a prologue in the heart of the city
Harbour racing for the competitors in the 9th Transat Jacques Vabre
by Transat Jacques Vabre media (in translation)
Saturday October 31 and Sunday 1st November, the Eure Basin will welcome the Trophy City of Le Havre – Paul Vatine by way of prologue to the Transat Jacques Vabre. The competitors will sail against each other in a closed basin, with equal weapons and in the heart of the city. This is all for the pleasure of the spectators. Thus, there will be no prologue at sea; the boats will remain at the quayside while the skippers will race each other on board one design Bénéteau 7.50 and 6.50s.
It is sometimes healthy to break with tradition: while the boats become sophisticated, the sailors always have an apprehension go out to sea and to take risks with the boats on the eve of the departure of a transatlantic race; for a race without true athletic issues, but that it is useful to organize: the prologue.
For this 9th edition, the competitors of the Transat Jacques Vabre will sail against each other in groups of five, between two buoys and in the form of sausage legs. The winners of every pool will next face the others in the final.
The course for the harbour racing in the city of Le Havre prior to the Transat Jacques Vabre. Supplied image.
Included in this prologue, orchestrated by la Ligue de Voile Haute Normandie, will be live commentary in the presence of other racers. Swift boats, the challenge reduced to technical issues, and the public that will be able to view the spectacle from all around the pool: the ambience should be guaranteed during this weekend. Child of the city of Le Havre, which is deeply attached to the popular character that led to the development of its sailing, Paul Vatine surely would have liked this type of festive and popular demonstration. This is also an excellent manner in which to pay him homage.
Programme for the prologue:
Saturday October 31:
- 10H to 13H, crew arrival
- 14H to 16h45: qualifying races in four pools
- 17h30: results of the 1st day in the bar of the Transat
Sunday 1st November:
- 10H to 12h45: qualifying races in four pools, return
- 14H to 16H: final races in three rounds
- 16h30: prizegiving on the stand of the City of Le Havre
Transat Jacques Vabre
by Transat Jacques Vabre media (in translation)
Saturday October 31 and Sunday 1st November, the Eure Basin will welcome the Trophy City of Le Havre – Paul Vatine by way of prologue to the Transat Jacques Vabre. The competitors will sail against each other in a closed basin, with equal weapons and in the heart of the city. This is all for the pleasure of the spectators. Thus, there will be no prologue at sea; the boats will remain at the quayside while the skippers will race each other on board one design Bénéteau 7.50 and 6.50s.
It is sometimes healthy to break with tradition: while the boats become sophisticated, the sailors always have an apprehension go out to sea and to take risks with the boats on the eve of the departure of a transatlantic race; for a race without true athletic issues, but that it is useful to organize: the prologue.
For this 9th edition, the competitors of the Transat Jacques Vabre will sail against each other in groups of five, between two buoys and in the form of sausage legs. The winners of every pool will next face the others in the final.
The course for the harbour racing in the city of Le Havre prior to the Transat Jacques Vabre. Supplied image.
Included in this prologue, orchestrated by la Ligue de Voile Haute Normandie, will be live commentary in the presence of other racers. Swift boats, the challenge reduced to technical issues, and the public that will be able to view the spectacle from all around the pool: the ambience should be guaranteed during this weekend. Child of the city of Le Havre, which is deeply attached to the popular character that led to the development of its sailing, Paul Vatine surely would have liked this type of festive and popular demonstration. This is also an excellent manner in which to pay him homage.
Programme for the prologue:
Saturday October 31:
- 10H to 13H, crew arrival
- 14H to 16h45: qualifying races in four pools
- 17h30: results of the 1st day in the bar of the Transat
Sunday 1st November:
- 10H to 12h45: qualifying races in four pools, return
- 14H to 16H: final races in three rounds
- 16h30: prizegiving on the stand of the City of Le Havre
Transat Jacques Vabre
TJV: Images of Artemis Ocean Racing with Sam Davies and Sidney Gavignet
Sam Davies and Sidney Gavignet: teamwork on board Artemis. Image copyright Lloyd Images.
Sidney Gavignet on Artemis. Image copyright Lloyd Images.
Sam Davies on Artemis. Image copyright Lloyd Images.
Artemis stretches her legs. Image copyright Lloyd Images.
Artemis on silvery seas. Image copyright Lloyd Images.
Artemis at full chat. Image copyright Lloyd Images.
The team waves from the bow of Artemis. Image copyright Lloyd Images.
Sam Davies on the bow of Artemis at sunset during the Fastnet Race. Image copyright Artemis Ocean Racing.
Lloyd Images
Artemis Ocean Racing
Transat Jacques Vabre
TJV: Ten Days to go to the Start of the double-handed Transat Jacques Vabre
Artemis Ocean Racing IMOCA 60 in Le Havre and Ready to Race!
Artemis Ocean Racing IMOCA 60. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images.
by Artemis Ocean Racing
One transatlantic race 'done and dusted' for the Artemis Ocean Racing team as Ollie Bond completed the solo Mini Transat on board his tiny 21-foot Artemis Mini, finishing in 10th place overall.
Meanwhile, Sam Davies and Sidney Gavignet, co-skippers on board Artemis Ocean Racing's 60-foot IMOCA monohull arrived in Le Havre (France) last night with ten days to go until the start of their 4,720-mile transatlantic race from Le Havre to Puerto Limon in Costa Rica.
The duo of top British IMOCA 60 sailor Samantha Davies, who has been nominated for the ISAF World Sailor of the Year Award, and French skipper Sidney Gavignet, will be racing against the very best in the IMOCA 60 class in the pinnacle event of the year that starts on Sunday, 8th November. They left Port La Foret on Tuesday after weeks of meticulous preparation as Artemis skipper, Sam Davies, reported: “We left Port La Foret yesterday afternoon (Tuesday), heading for Le Havre and the start of the Transat Jacques Vabre! The conditions were great and we set off under spinnaker hooning along at 20+knots of boat speed, which is pretty unusual for a delivery trip! We took the “coastal route” and passed through the Raz de Sein and Channel du Four, which was fun as we had to gybe a lot to get through the narrow passages. Good gybing practice in the dark in 20+knots of wind!
“There are three of us on board - Erwan, Sidney and I - so we have also done a lot of “bunk testing” and the competition is hot for the ‘golden blanket’ award! It is wonderful to get great sleep as Artemis is zooming along, and Sidney and I are making the most of it, as we will not have that luxury for the first few days (or more) of the race!
“We have even eaten well, thanks to Sidney, who was tasked to do the food shopping for the trip - always dubious to leave that task in male hands I think!”
This weekend Sam and Sidney will compete in the Transat Jacques Vabre prologue in Le Havre for the ‘Trophee Ville du Havre Paul Vatine’ - the TJV skippers competing in the prologue will race on board Bénéteau 7.5 boats. Then the Artemis Ocean Racing skippers will have a couple of days off before they are back in ‘pre-race’ mode, studying the weather, going over their final preparations and dealing with many media requests as they countdown to start day.
Artmeis Ocean Racing
Transat Jacques Vabre
Artemis Ocean Racing IMOCA 60. Image copyright Mark Lloyd/Lloyd Images.
by Artemis Ocean Racing
One transatlantic race 'done and dusted' for the Artemis Ocean Racing team as Ollie Bond completed the solo Mini Transat on board his tiny 21-foot Artemis Mini, finishing in 10th place overall.
Meanwhile, Sam Davies and Sidney Gavignet, co-skippers on board Artemis Ocean Racing's 60-foot IMOCA monohull arrived in Le Havre (France) last night with ten days to go until the start of their 4,720-mile transatlantic race from Le Havre to Puerto Limon in Costa Rica.
The duo of top British IMOCA 60 sailor Samantha Davies, who has been nominated for the ISAF World Sailor of the Year Award, and French skipper Sidney Gavignet, will be racing against the very best in the IMOCA 60 class in the pinnacle event of the year that starts on Sunday, 8th November. They left Port La Foret on Tuesday after weeks of meticulous preparation as Artemis skipper, Sam Davies, reported: “We left Port La Foret yesterday afternoon (Tuesday), heading for Le Havre and the start of the Transat Jacques Vabre! The conditions were great and we set off under spinnaker hooning along at 20+knots of boat speed, which is pretty unusual for a delivery trip! We took the “coastal route” and passed through the Raz de Sein and Channel du Four, which was fun as we had to gybe a lot to get through the narrow passages. Good gybing practice in the dark in 20+knots of wind!
“There are three of us on board - Erwan, Sidney and I - so we have also done a lot of “bunk testing” and the competition is hot for the ‘golden blanket’ award! It is wonderful to get great sleep as Artemis is zooming along, and Sidney and I are making the most of it, as we will not have that luxury for the first few days (or more) of the race!
“We have even eaten well, thanks to Sidney, who was tasked to do the food shopping for the trip - always dubious to leave that task in male hands I think!”
This weekend Sam and Sidney will compete in the Transat Jacques Vabre prologue in Le Havre for the ‘Trophee Ville du Havre Paul Vatine’ - the TJV skippers competing in the prologue will race on board Bénéteau 7.5 boats. Then the Artemis Ocean Racing skippers will have a couple of days off before they are back in ‘pre-race’ mode, studying the weather, going over their final preparations and dealing with many media requests as they countdown to start day.
Artmeis Ocean Racing
Transat Jacques Vabre
America's Cup: Statement from Russell Coutts, Skipper and CEO, BMW ORACLE Racing
by Russell Coutts
Valencia is the best option to get the America's Cup back on track as soon as possible. This is what sailing fans from around the world are waiting for.
Both BMW ORACLE Racing and Alinghi still have bases in the Port America's Cup. The infrastructure created to the specification of the Swiss defender is in place, available and ready to recreate the atmosphere of the previous America's Cup in 2007.
Last week Cristobal Grau, Director of Sport for Valencia City, said it would only take a few weeks to have Valencia back in action. Today the Mayor of Valencia, Rita Barbera, said her city would welcome the Cup back with open arms.
In her ruling at the New York Supreme Court on Tuesday, Justice Shirley Kornreich confirmed the primacy of the governing Deed of Gift document for the America's Cup. This means that Société Nautique de Genève (SNG) must choose a Deed-compliant location. Although Valencia is in the Northern Hemisphere, it is possible to hold the 33rd Match there in February because both SNG and Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) had agreed to it by mutual consent.
Were SNG to propose a location in the Southern Hemisphere instead of Valencia, we ask the defender to name it as soon as possible so that we have the maximum opportunity to make an informed assessment. We say this noting that nearly three months of the court-ordered six month minimum notice period for the venue has gone already.
We again confirm our willingness to sit down immediately with SNG/Alinghi for talks to resolve the outstanding issues surrounding the 33rd America's Cup.
There is no reason why SNG should not ask the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) to appoint an independent, neutral jury with the usual duties and powers of an international sailing jury, and to do this immediately. In that way any future disputes involving sailing rules and related issues could be referred to the jury instead of needing to go back before the court.
GGYC and BMW ORACLE Racing are eager to race in the Match, starting on 8 February 2010. Our BOR 90 is back in the water in San Diego, more refined than ever and there are further technical developments in the pipeline that we are very excited about.
Golden Gate Yacht Club
BMW ORACLE Racing
Valencia is the best option to get the America's Cup back on track as soon as possible. This is what sailing fans from around the world are waiting for.
Both BMW ORACLE Racing and Alinghi still have bases in the Port America's Cup. The infrastructure created to the specification of the Swiss defender is in place, available and ready to recreate the atmosphere of the previous America's Cup in 2007.
Last week Cristobal Grau, Director of Sport for Valencia City, said it would only take a few weeks to have Valencia back in action. Today the Mayor of Valencia, Rita Barbera, said her city would welcome the Cup back with open arms.
In her ruling at the New York Supreme Court on Tuesday, Justice Shirley Kornreich confirmed the primacy of the governing Deed of Gift document for the America's Cup. This means that Société Nautique de Genève (SNG) must choose a Deed-compliant location. Although Valencia is in the Northern Hemisphere, it is possible to hold the 33rd Match there in February because both SNG and Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) had agreed to it by mutual consent.
Were SNG to propose a location in the Southern Hemisphere instead of Valencia, we ask the defender to name it as soon as possible so that we have the maximum opportunity to make an informed assessment. We say this noting that nearly three months of the court-ordered six month minimum notice period for the venue has gone already.
We again confirm our willingness to sit down immediately with SNG/Alinghi for talks to resolve the outstanding issues surrounding the 33rd America's Cup.
There is no reason why SNG should not ask the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) to appoint an independent, neutral jury with the usual duties and powers of an international sailing jury, and to do this immediately. In that way any future disputes involving sailing rules and related issues could be referred to the jury instead of needing to go back before the court.
GGYC and BMW ORACLE Racing are eager to race in the Match, starting on 8 February 2010. Our BOR 90 is back in the water in San Diego, more refined than ever and there are further technical developments in the pipeline that we are very excited about.
Golden Gate Yacht Club
BMW ORACLE Racing
Thursday, 29 October 2009
America's Cup: Golden Gate Yacht Club Statement, 27th October 2009
by Tom Ehman
We're pleased with the court's decision today that Alinghi's choice of venue for the 33rd America's Cup was not allowed under the Deed of Gift.
We look forward to Justice Kornreich's decision later this week regarding two additional issues.
First, we hope she will agree with our position that Alinghi cannot add additional ballast, equipment or sailors to the boat after it has been measured for compliance with the Deed of Gift's restriction on length along the load water line. Enabling any team to add additional weight after measurement - thus lengthening its load water line and increasing its speed - violates the Deed of Gift, decades of sailing practice, and the spirit of the rules that govern the America's Cup.
Second, Justice Kornreich understands the need for a fair and impartial jury. Our position is that the sailing jury must have the normal powers to adjudicate.
We remain motivated to negotiate all remaining issues with Alinghi to ensure a fair, competitive and successful America's Cup in February 2010. We took a big step towards this goal today.
Golden Gate Yacht Club
We're pleased with the court's decision today that Alinghi's choice of venue for the 33rd America's Cup was not allowed under the Deed of Gift.
We look forward to Justice Kornreich's decision later this week regarding two additional issues.
First, we hope she will agree with our position that Alinghi cannot add additional ballast, equipment or sailors to the boat after it has been measured for compliance with the Deed of Gift's restriction on length along the load water line. Enabling any team to add additional weight after measurement - thus lengthening its load water line and increasing its speed - violates the Deed of Gift, decades of sailing practice, and the spirit of the rules that govern the America's Cup.
Second, Justice Kornreich understands the need for a fair and impartial jury. Our position is that the sailing jury must have the normal powers to adjudicate.
We remain motivated to negotiate all remaining issues with Alinghi to ensure a fair, competitive and successful America's Cup in February 2010. We took a big step towards this goal today.
Golden Gate Yacht Club
Wednesday, 28 October 2009
America's Cup: New York Supreme Court orders 33rd America's Cup to be Deed compliant
by Alinghi media
The New York Supreme Court today ruled that the 33rd America's Cup, scheduled in February 2010, must take place in a venue in the Southern Hemisphere as per the strict reading of the competition's governing document, the Deed of Gift, or in Valencia, Spain, as the only exception to that rule.
“This is a disappointing result as we were certain that Justice Cahn's May 2008 decision allowed the Defender to chose Valencia or ‘any other location',” said Lucien Masmejan, Société Nautique de Genève (SNG) legal counsel. “Ras Al Khaimah has put enormous time and effort into this 33rd America's Cup project. We thank them and feel sorry for this unexpected result out of the New York court”.
“We are satisfied, however, as Justice Kornreich confirmed that the Deed of Gift Match will be conducted under SNG rules as she had already ruled in a previous court order,” added Lucien Masmejan.
Alinghi
The New York Supreme Court today ruled that the 33rd America's Cup, scheduled in February 2010, must take place in a venue in the Southern Hemisphere as per the strict reading of the competition's governing document, the Deed of Gift, or in Valencia, Spain, as the only exception to that rule.
“This is a disappointing result as we were certain that Justice Cahn's May 2008 decision allowed the Defender to chose Valencia or ‘any other location',” said Lucien Masmejan, Société Nautique de Genève (SNG) legal counsel. “Ras Al Khaimah has put enormous time and effort into this 33rd America's Cup project. We thank them and feel sorry for this unexpected result out of the New York court”.
“We are satisfied, however, as Justice Kornreich confirmed that the Deed of Gift Match will be conducted under SNG rules as she had already ruled in a previous court order,” added Lucien Masmejan.
Alinghi
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