Jaguar’s Sponsorship of America’s Cup Style Sailing Delivers.

The 1851 Cup surprised me. Initially I was sceptical about the exhibition match between TeamOrigin and BMW ORACLE to commemorate the original race around the Isle of Wight that became the America’s Cup, but having experienced the event last week in Cowes and having seen the coverage that was generated for the sport in non-sailing press, it was a resounding success.

Perhaps most surprising of all was the action. While the Defender (the challenger seems to be MIA) continues speculation about competing the 34th America’s Cup in a multi-hull, the version 5 boats provided exciting action in the strong Solent breeze.

The 55 mile ‘Around the Island’ race could have been a rather dull affair, but James Spithill and Ben Ainslie raced it as if they were on a 1 mile match racing course. Added to the aggressive match racing tactics were ripped spinnakers and broken spinnaker poles and sailing on the very edge of the envelope that the boats were designed for.

Perhaps sensing that the race would not deliver the picture perfect finish, the rules were rigged in a NASCAR style agreement that had many followers totally confused. Apparently both teams agreed that if one was too far ahead at a certain point, they would restart with a one minute time penalty to the boat that had been behind. To the non-sailing guests that I was with, it made a bit of a mockery of the whole thing. Comparisons with WWF wresting were made, which is hardly the kind of perception you want to give newcomers to the sport.

The other downside was that the racing took place so far offshore. This is partly because of the amount of water needed to sail the boats and partly because Cowes Week gives priority to the other races. Like many of the America’s Cups of the past, the action could only be followed by boat. Although images were beamed back to a shoreside screen with live commentary augmented by ‘Virtual Eye’ 3D animation, the event doesn’t come close to the spectator experience provided around the corner by the Extreme Sailing Series.

No doubt, Jaguar’s opportunistic sponsorship of TeamOrigin for the event would have delivered a pretty decent ROI. It remains to be seen whether the deal will last longer than the ‘Summer of Sailing’. Many of the sponsorship decisions related to the America’s Cup will be put on hold until key information is released – including where the events will be sailed.

More America’s Cup News…

Jaguar Sponsor TEAMORIGIN for a Summer of Sailing

As auto makers strike to position themselves as environmentally sustainable brands, another car manufacturer has announced a sponsorship deal in the sport of sailing. Jaguar will join TEAMORIGIN for a summer of sailing starting with the 1851 Cup in Cowes next week. The event which recreates the original America’s Cup race around the Isle of Wight also sets up a race between competing luxury car brands with the American team being sponsored by BMW.

The partnership, which will be described as ‘TEAMORIGIN racing with Jaguar’ comes under the umbrella of the Jaguar Academy of Sport, which aims to recognise, celebrate and inspire the very best of British sporting talent and success.

The deal helps Jaguar strengthen its environmental credentials, not only through the associations of a wind-powered sport, but also through signing up to TEAMORIGIN’s ‘Race for Change’ which compels partners of the team to adhere to strict environmental goals monitored by the Carbon Trust.

Sir Keith Mills, Team Principal, TEAMORIGIN, commented:

“We are absolutely delighted to welcome Jaguar as our partner. There is a superb fit and alignment of purpose between TEAMORIGIN and Jaguar. Jaguar is clearly one of the most revered and iconic British brands and, just as Jaguar is now taking on and beating the best in the automotive world, so our mission is to take on and beat the best in the world on the water. The fit is further enhanced through our shared commitment to improve our environmental performance.”

Geoff Cousins, Managing Director, Jaguar UK commented:

“To partner with TEAMORIGIN is a fantastic opportunity for Jaguar. We are looking forward to the first appearance this summer at the 1851 Cup event, an exciting competition, which will see Britain’s best sailing talent compete against the current holders of The America’s Cup. It’s a mouth-watering prospect and one we are proud to support. This is a serious British endeavour, which fits perfectly with the recently launched Jaguar Academy of Sport, which is all about investing in the future of British Sporting talent.”

TEAMORIGIN’s newly branded livery will appear during Cowes Week and will feature striking Jaguar branding on both the hull and sails. The spinnaker will feature a Jaguar leaper in Union Jack Motif, the symbol of the Jaguar Academy of Sport.

Ben Ainslie, Skipper and Helmsman of TEAMORIGIN,commented:

“TEAMORIGIN’s goal is to win the America’s Cup for Great Britain, to achieve this we need to engage the support of like minded partners. In Jaguar, we can see great synergies where they share our passion for sport and competition at the highest level.”

More Automotive Sailing Sponsorship News…

1851 Cup At Cowes Week – Schedule Announced.

The 1851 Cup is a great idea. Not only will the race help to rebuild perceptions about the America’s Cup, but it will also provide spectators at Cowes Week with something else to watch from the 3rd to the 6th of August. The America’s Cup Trophy will also be on display at a special marquee adjacent to the Royal Yacht Squadron.

The 1851 Cup will recreate an historic race around the Isle of Wight which was won by the yacht ‘America’ and gave rise to the America’s Cup. Racing will be held as close to West Cowes as possible to give spectators a close-up view. On Thursday 5th of August, TEAMORIGIN and BMW ORACLE will race clockwise around the Island, replicating the direction sailed in 1851.

On the 3rd, 4th of August, 3 match races will be held each day. Another ‘Round the Island’ Race will take place on the 6th of August.

The publicity for the event and the ‘cut and paste’ press say:

The two hottest match racing skippers in the world, TEAMORIGIN’s Ben Ainslie, and BMW ORACLE Racing’s James Spithill, will lead their teams contesting the 1851 Cup. Britain’s TEAMORIGIN will be the be first potential challenger for the next America’s Cup to race head-to-head with BMW ORACLE Racing, winners of the 33rd America’s Cup.

Now ‘hottest’ is a subjective term – perhaps the PR folk are talking about Ben’s fashion shoots for Henri Lloyd or some ‘hot or not’ competition for match-racing skippers that we don’t know about. In the other races where potential challengers for the next America’s Cup race head-to-head with BMW ORACLE, the  Louis Vuitton Trophy, Ainslie and Spithill have not been the pick of the bunch. In the last event BMW ORACLE finished 9th out of 10 and TEAMORIGIN came in 7th. According to ISAF, in the official World Match Racing rankings, Ainslie is 3rd after Adam Minoprio and Torvar Mirsky and James Spithill is not in the top 25.

Nevertheless, Australian James Spithill the youngest-ever America’s Cup skipper, will go into battle against Great Britain’s Ben Ainslie, aged 33, Skipper and Helmsman of TEAMORIGIN, four times Olympic medallist with 3 golds and 1 silver. Ainslie said:

“This will be an incredible event which I am sure will capture the imagination of sports fans across the UK. We relish the idea of taking on the Defenders in our home waters. We have a busy season in 2010 and The 1851 Cup is one that we are all particularly looking forward to.”

James Spithill, Skipper of BMW ORACLE Racing added:

“Ben’s a mate and fantastic sailor. Having said that, we’re really looking forward to taking the fight to him and his guys. For our team, this is a key stepping stone from having been victorious challengers in February when we beat Alinghi, to becoming a unit that has to defend the 34th America’s Cup.”

More America’s Cup News Here…

Grant Simmer Joins TEAMORIGIN as CEO.

Conspiracy theorists who argued that the removal of Kiwi Mike Sanderson from TEAMORIGIN was a result of some British pureblood campaign have been proved wrong by the appointment of Australian Grant Simmer to the role of CEO.

Simmer was most recently Managing Director and Design Co-ordinator of Alinghi, winners of the America’s Cup in 2003 and 2007, but his America’s Cup credentials include being navigator aboard Australia II in 1983 .

Grant Simmer, CEO,commented on his new role,

“I am delighted to join TEAMORIGIN and am looking forward to working with Sir Keith, Ben and all the team to develop and execute a plan to overcome the other Challengers and lead us into the next America’s Cup Match. Fortunately TEAMORIGIN appears to have great strengths and leadership in each department. Mike Sanderson, who has now left the team, played a key role in managing the team through some difficult times and the team is in pretty good shape. I anticipate each area simply getting on with their jobs and that I will play a key role in overseeing and coordinating their activities.

TEAMORIGIN has had to survive during several years of uncertainty while the Deed of Gift Match was resolved. Now, with the new Defender in place, we are all anxiously awaiting announcements of their plans for the 34th Cup. These are exciting times for sure, and these plans will include the format of racing, type of boats to be raced, the dates of competition and many other significant details. We should know all this information by the end of September and can then develop and refine our strategy leading to the next Cup.”

Simmer’s new role as CEO sees him take responsibility for the sporting and technical activities of the team as well as overseeing the commercial operations.

Sir Keith Mills, Team Principal, added his thoughts:

“Today’s announcement is part of the team’s long term strategy to enhance the leadership and management. We are moving into the next phase of operations and Grant brings with him invaluable experience from both a Challenger and Defenders perspective. Our mission is to win the America’s Cup and today’s announcement forms a fundamental part of that strategy.”

This will be Simmer’s eighth America’s Cup. He first competed in 1983 at the age of 27 as Navigator onboard Australia II. There he played a part in sporting history when Australia II became the first challenger to ever win the America’s Cup ending 132 years of US supremacy and the longest winning streak in sports history. Since that momentous win, Simmer has had diverse roles and responsibilities in another seven America’s Cup campaigns, culminating with the Swiss Alinghi team, winning the Cup in 2003 and 2007 in the role of Design Coordinator and most recently as the team’s Managing Director.

Ben Ainslie, Skipper and Helmsman, added his views,

“This is great news for TEAMORIGIN and it comes at a time when we are finally seeing some resolution to the past few years of event delays. Soon we hope to have a detailed Protocol and programme for the 34th America’s Cup.  Grant’s experience and talent will bring strong leadership and structure to the team at this critical time and his sailing and design skills will enhance our strengths as we move forward.”

More TEAMORIGIN News…

World Match Racing Tour Announces 2010 Tour Card Holders.

Like many elite sports, there are very few spots for truly professional competitive sailors. In 2009, The World Match Racing Tour introduced a system of Tour Cards that allowed qualifying teams guaranteed entry to events.

This system allows teams on the tour to more effectively plan their season and give more security to sponsors. The tour card system should also give security to promoters by guaranteeing big name sailors will compete at the events, though in 2009, not all card holders competed in all events.  The Tour Card process has been changed slightly for 2010. Tour Card Holders will receive entry into 6 of the 9 events. Tour placings are determined by results in five races plus the Monsoon Cup. Teams can compete in all nine races if they gain wildcard entries.

With the America’s Cup looking like it will return to a more traditional monohull match racing format, the World Match Racing Tour will once again become the place where future America’s Cup helmsmen and Skippers are made.

The World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) has announced the names of the nine Tour Card Holders for the 2010 season.  They are:

• Adam Minoprio (NZL) BlackMatch – ISAF Match Racing World Champion (2009)
• Torvar Mirsky (AUS) Mirsky Racing Team – Finished 2nd in 2009
• Ben Ainslie (GBR) Team Origin – Finished 3rd in 2009
• Francesco Bruni (ITA) Team Azzura
• Peter Gilmour (AUS) YANMAR Racing
• Bjorn Hansen (SWE) Hansen Global Team
• Bertrand Pace (FRA) Aleph Sailing Team
• Mathieu Richard (FRA) French Match Racing Team
• Ian Williams (GBR) Team Pindar

Tour Director, Craig Mitchell said

“Last year, we had a great season. This year, we have received a tremendous response from the teams and believe that the 2010 series will be an even bigger and more significant series for the WMRT, the skippers and teams, as well as for everyone following the action on-site at the events or through the media,”

“We see the level of professionalism amongst the skippers and teams going up each year and 2010 will be no exception. We are looking forward to another great series of events and crowning a worthy champion. It is going to be fiercely competitive from the first race in France, in April, all the way through to the last race in Malaysia, in December,”

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