THOUGHTS ON THE PAST TWO DAYS IN THE AMERICA’S CUP
Between them, the two billionaires, Ernesto Bertarelli and Larry Ellison, have outlined their plans for America’s Cup 33. They are so different. On the one hand the defender has issued plans to hold the Cup in 2009 in Valencia, while the Deed of Gift challenger has introduced a new CEO and planned a totally different venue – the New York State Court, as soon as possible.
Ellison made his statement at a Press Conference in Valencia at the BMW Oracle Racing headquarters. He first introduced Russell Coutts as his CEO and skipper for the next America’s Cup – the world’s worst kept secret was out in the open at last. Then he said that since there was no agreement forthcoming from Bertarelli over matters pertaining to the Protocol and the status of the Challenger of Record, he would pursue the matter in the courts.
There had been a meeting of challengers earlier in the day and Ellison claimed almost universal support from those present. He said that what he wanted to see in the Protocol was mutual consent, but there was no sign of this from the Alinghi team boss. He agreed that it would be more exciting racing (for television) in bigger, faster, lighter displacement boats with deeper draft, but thought that the design advantage that Alinghi already held in this area would make the racing one-sided.
He announced that if the court ruled in favour of his Deed of Gift challenge (by disqualifying CNEV as a legitimate challenger), he would hope to hold the races from Valencia in 2008 and then, if successful, restore the Cup to its normal state in Valencia in 2009. He added that he didn’t expect to give it to the city free of charge, but would need a sum to run it, probably less than the ACM demands.
The following day, there was an ACM Press Conference at which Bertarelli carried on as if nothing had been heard from the Golden Gate Yacht Club and announced that the Cup races would be in Valencia in 2009, three weeks later in the calendar than in 2007. This would possibly eliminate the dubious weather for the early challenger trials, such as these might be with the defender taking part in all of them, at least until it was satisfied with its own performance.
He also announced that there would be two Acts in Valencia in 2008 with the new sponsor (Rolex, as yet to be named).
The bait that was offered to teams to sign up to challenge came in the form of being allowed to have input into the rule for the proposed 90-foot class for AC33. Each Team would only be allowed to build one new boat to this rule. It also emerged that the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron had joined the other three challengers, CNEV, the Royal Cape YC and the Royal Thames YC.
The Arbitration Panel is in place and the Jury is being finalised – all appointments have been made by Bertarelli’s company, ACM. This is one of the sticking points in the Protocol that Ellison mentioned as making the next Cup one-sided and far from independent in its judiciary.
The City of Valencia confirmed that €105 million would be made available for the Cup – 40% from central government, 40% from regional government and 20% from the city. In addition, the recently re-elected mayor, Rita Barbera, announced that an additional €15 million would be needed from the city’s funds to finish the infrastructure.
Finally, under questioning, Bertarelli declared his intentions over the possible court case in New York: I’m going to defend this case with every ounce of breath in my body.” He went on to describe Ellison’s actions in the single word: “Bullshit.” And that with all the Spanish and Valencian dignitaries in the room.
More later, perhaps.
