A balance of opinions

Nineteen teams from 12 countries are entered to race for the 33rd America's Cup should the Société Nautique de Genève and the Club Náutico Español de Vela prevail in the New York courts. By the 15 December 2008 deadline 18 challengers had entered and they continue to work alongside the defender on the new class rule towards publication at the end of January...

DESAFÍO ESPAÑOL, CLUB NÁUTICO ESPAÑOL DE VELA
- Augustin Zulueta, general director. Photo by Guido Trombetta (DPPI)

Seahorse: What is your state of readiness for a match in 2010? Augustin Zulueta: The instant the first race date is announced we will start work. We are hungry for some America's Cup sailing.

SH: Can you describe the process of working together planning the event as a group of competitors, including the Defender Alinghi?
AZ: This is definitely the right way to do things.

SH: And your thoughts on the new class currently being designed by the group?
AZ: The new boat is going to be very fast and particularly spectacular in windy downwind conditions.

SH: What is your target budget for a one-boat programme?
AZ: Currently it is 35 million euros.

SH: And when do you aim to be sailing again in a Cup boat?
AZ: I hope as soon as possible, but at the very latest we have a training programme scheduled for May 2009.

SH: And the candidates for your sailing skipper?
AZ: Paul Cayard and Laureano Wizner run the sports team together.

SH: And chief designer?
AZ: Farr Yacht Design will be our main designer, working together with the Desafio Español technical office.

ARGO CHALLENGE, CLUB NÁUTICO DI GAETA
- Paolo Scutellaro, general manager

SH: What motivated Argo Challenge to press ahead to the 33rd America's Cup despite the uncertainty of the lawsuit?
PS: First of all we presented the challenge in November last year just before the New York Supreme Court ruling, so we have only confirmed our initial intentions. Our original opinion was that Alinghi and ACM did a great job with the last Cup and we are confident they will do the same for the next one; and we will do our best to support their vision.

SH: And your readiness for a match in 2010?
PS: Of course, the uncertainty caused by the Golden Gate YC's legal action forced us to modify our first plan and to postpone the sailing and technical programme, but more than that the huge issue for us is the delay in defining the new class rule and event schedule. But we are in the same situation as the majority of thechallengers and so we are continuing to update our plans and will simply try to be ready when everything is finally clarified.

SH: How have you found the process of working together on planning the event as a group of competitors?
PS: It is the right way to continue; all the challenger representatives have been working productively together to identify the right solution for a successful 33rd America's Cup, taking account of the short timeframe and the economic situation. I think that the key words here should be 'flexible' and 'open minded'...

SH: What are your thoughts on the new class?
PS: It is still a work in progress but up until now we are confident about the direction the group is taking. The new Cup needs a faster and more technical boat, able to race in a wider wind range and to respond to more modern media requirements.

SH: And your target budget for a one-boat programme...
PS: We estimate approximately 25 to 30 million euros. Of course, the more money we find the more opportunity in terms of performance we will have; but paradoxically this time if the Cup is confirmed for 2010 there'll be no time to spend a large amount of money with any certainty of achieving value.

SH: When will you begin sailing in an America's Cup boat?
PS: Three years ago!!!

SH: And the candidates for sailing skipper?
PS: We decided our skipper two years ago, when the Argo project took its first step. Lars Grael will steer our team in the 33rd America's Cup, there is no question about this.

SH: And chief designer?
PS: We are collaborating with the design office of Umberto Felci, a famous and experienced Italian designer.

SHOSHOLOZA, ROYAL CAPE YACHT CLUB
- Captain Salvatore Sarno, managing director. Photo by Gilles Martin-Raget

Seahorse: What motivated Shosholoza to enter the 33rd Cup despite the uncertainty of the BMW Oracle lawsuit?
Salvatore Sarno: I entered Shosholoza in the 33rd America's Cup in July 2007, well before the period of uncertainty began. At that time the sport of sailing and the AC were at a pinnacle in terms of popularity and awareness and all my sponsors were willing to renew their contracts. Although the Protocol needed some clarifications I was sure that Alinghi/ACM would have done the necessary to make it acceptable by everybody (which is what has actually happened).

The lawsuit completely changed the scenario and the uncertainty has now pushed one of my main sponsors towards Formula 1...

SH: What is the state of readiness of your team should we get a match in 2010?
CSS: I have kept the core team on the World Match Race circuit and the rest of the sailors have been active at other events. We are technically ready, but to start the construction of a new boat we would need the support of the sponsors and with the world economic crisis this will not be an easy task.

SH: Can you describe the process of working alongside most of your competitors?
CSS: Politically speaking it has been very democratic... which is extremely satisfactory!

SH: And your current thoughts on the new class that is currently being created?
CSS: It was time to make a big change to offer more emotion to the spectators. The new class can offer such a thing. My chief designer, Alex Simonis, is very enthusiastic about this class and he has actively participated in the various discussions and decisions.

SH: What is your target budget for a one-boat programme?
CSS: We are of the opinion that 30 million euros will cover a twoyear campaign with the potential of winning the Cup.

SH: Who are your candidates for sailing skipper?
CSS: Paolo Cian and Tommaso Chieffi are still part of the team...

SH: And your choice for chief designer?
CSS: Alex Simonis is now our chief designer, as from October last year. He will design the best AC boat you have ever seen.

DABLIU SAIL PROJECT
- Vasco Vascotto, skipper, Circolo della Vela Muggia. Photo by Carlo Borlenghi, DPPI

SH: What motivated Dabliu Sail Project to enter the 33rd America's Cup?
Vasco Vascotto: To play in the America's Cup you must be present, not absent. We think that the person who is absent is always wrong; besides, we are certain to be closer to the end solution by becoming involved... and we also could not continue with the selfdestructive games any longer.

SH: What is the team's state of readiness?
VV: We have started to plan and we will begin building a team to be competitive from now on. We'll also be participating in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series, so part of our team will be well-tested during February down in Auckland.

SH: Can you describe the process of working together on the next event?
VV: I arrived as the last one to the table. From now on I'll be at that table with all the other challengers, and I hope to be useful in drawing up something productive for the next America's Cup. We hope that our decisions will endure, so that we can reduce costs and return the regatta to its ancient splendour.

SH: What are your thoughts on the new class?
VV: The switch is an essential step because the sailing world has changed and we need to be able to participate with more up-to-date boats - not too big, to contain costs, but boats that can also perhaps be used competitively in other regattas to spread the cost a little for those paying the bills.

SH: What is your target budget for a one-boat programme?
VV: We are still working on it; we'll try to have a budget that can make us competitive right away. We can't release numbers at the moment since we still need to understand what kind of America's Cup it will be!!!

SH: When do you aim to begin sailing in an America's Cup boat of some type?
VV: We are practising in Valencia this week on the V5 boat before racing in Auckland, then we look forward to the pre-regattas in Valencia starting in July.

SH: And candidates for sailing skipper!
VV: In principle, I'm the skipper! But we are open to all options, because the most important thing is to do the best for the team; if there is someone with more experience or who could do better than me, we'll accept him. Failing that, I'll be the skipper!!

TEAMORIGIN, ROYAL THAMES YACHT CLUB
- Sir Keith Mills, team principal, and Mike Sanderson, team director

SH: What motivated TeamOrigin to enter the 33rd America's Cup?
KM/MS: TeamOrigin challenged prior to the legal action from GGYC regarding the legitimacy of CNEV. On reading the 33rd Protocol at first we too were concerned about quite a few issues. However, after several conversations with Ernesto Bertarelli and other senior people at AC Management and Alinghi we became comfortable with the process of negotiation that was going to be adopted to create a fair event; consequently we challenged.

SH: And your state of readiness...
KM/MS: If the legal dispute with GGYC isn't settled before New Year 2009 we believe it would be a mistake to make the 33rd AC in 2010, as it will leave less than two years for the teams to give commercial value to their sponsors. Also 2010 is a busy year with the Winter Olympics, the Soccer World Cup and the Commonwealth Games, so the sporting calendar is already full - which is not good for coverage or sponsors. Since it seems that all the teams are going to have to wait for a ruling, should it go Alinghi's way then 2011 makes a lot more sense now.

SH: Can you describe the process of working together on planning the event as a group?
KM/MS: The process has been good. I am sure that Alinghi have had a line in the sand up to which they have been happy to let the group explore its way; but in saying that this has been the most democratic process that I have been able to uncover, in terms of coming up with the 'applicable documents' that will govern the racing of an America's Cup. Certainly, never before have all the challengers for the Cup had a say in all the governing documents.

SH: What are your thoughts on the new class?
KM/MS: I think the new class will be great, for sure it will even the playing field a lot. Anyone who thought we should have stayed with V5 boats for this next event should have come down to Valencia in November and seen SUI 100 given a little space (and a lot less pressure) and witnessed the speed advantage that Alinghi have got locked away in that class.

SH: What is your target budget for a one-boat programme?
KM/MS: About 20 per cent less than a two-boat programme if you were only allowed to sail one boat at a time and possibly as much as 40 per cent less if you were allowed to two-boat test for the whole cycle.

SH: When do you aim to begin sailing in an America's Cup boat of some type?
KM/MS: We have done already - we sailed GBR 75 for last year's Southampton boat show and raced Desafio Español's chartered ESP 88 in the CNEV annual regatta in November. Our next event is the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series in Auckland, which will be in the two ETNZ boats and the two BMW Oracle boats. Hopefully, though, we will all be racing Acts in June/July, October and November of this year if we can get some certainty into the 33rd Cup...

SH: Who will lead your afterguard?
KM/MS: Our skipper is Ben Ainslie, with Iain Percy as tactician. That was decided a long time ago.

SH: And chief designer?
KM/MS: Our design team is led by three senior designers - Juan Kouyoumdjian as the principal designer, Andy Claughton as the design co-ordinator and Mickey Ickert as the aero director.

TEAM FRENCH SPIRIT, YACHT CLUB DE ST TROPEZ
- Marc Pajot, chairman and manager

SH: What motivated Team French Spirit to enter the 33rd Cup?
Marc Pajot: Our motivation within Team French Spirit has remained the same since we officially entered in 2007. Nothing has changed. For us there is no reason for this dispute to continue any more.

SH: What is the state of readiness of the team for a Match in 2010?
MP: Team French Spirit is under construction. The team isn't lucky enough to have a single rich financial backer and so we obviously require sponsorship. Today we are looking forward to the outcome of the court decision, hopefully in March, so that we can get moving at last.

SH: And the process of planning the event as a group of competitors...
MP: Working towards the rules, regulations and the class rule has been very professional. We are very satisfied with this joint venture. Today BMW Oracle Racing are perfectly aware of the Protocol and the rules and they don't have any precise arguments nor a precise list of questions. So, apart from preserving their own interest ahead of a group of 18 challengers, we don't understand why they still disagree with the Protocol.

SH: What are your thoughts on the proposed new class?
MP: After Fremantle in 1987 I was personally involved in creating the then new IACC class for the 1992 Cup. Today it's another new era and so we need a new generation of boat. Considering the current economic crisis, we are avoiding any enormous dimensions, and with the designers involved in the new rule we aim at modernism. The new boat opens the door to all the new challengers, who if they are talented will be able to become very competitive. This is our interest also. The work done by Tom Schnackenberg is very constructive and the result very interesting!

SH: And your target budget for a one-boat programme?
MP: 45 million euros.

SH: When do you aim to begin sailing an America's Cup boat?
MP: We have an agreement to use Alinghi's SUI 64, so we will be training with this boat and preparing for the Acts during the summer. We start in March in Valencia.

SH: And your candidates for skipper?
MP: We have chosen Philippe Presti for his experience with French teams and with Prada and for his skills as a navigator, but also for his human qualities. Philippe is an unusually unifying person to have within such a crew...

TEAMS ENTERED FOR THE 33RD AMERICA'S CUP
- in order of entry, with the number of America's Cups in which each club has competed

Alinghi, Société Nautique de Genève (SUI) - Defender - 2 Cups (31st, 32nd)

Desafio Español, Club Náutico Español de Vela (ESP) - Challenger of Record - 1 Cup (32nd)

Shosholoza, Royal Cape Yacht Club (RSA) - 1 Cup (32nd)

TeamOrigin, Royal Thames Yacht Club (GBR) - 2 Cups (1st in 1870* and 19th AC in 1964)

Team New Zealand, Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (NZL) - 6 Cups (26th, 28th, 29th, 30th, 31st and 32nd)

DCYC, Deutscher Challenger Yacht Club (GER) - 1 Cup (32nd)

Ayre Challenge, Real Club Náutico de Dénia (ESP) - New challenge

Victory Challenge, Gamla Stans Yacht Sallskap (SWE) - 2 Cups (31st, 32nd)

Argo Challenge, Club Nautico Gaeta (ITA) - New challenge

Mascalzone Latino, Reale Yacht Club Canottieri Savoia (ITA) - 2 Cups (31st, 32nd)

Team French Spirit, Yacht Club de St Tropez (FRA) - New challenge

Luna Rossa, Yacht Club Punta Ala (ITA) - 3 Cups (30th, 31st and 32nd**)

Russian Challenge, Yacht Club Seven Feet (RUS) - New challenge

Italia, Società Canottieri Lecco (ITA) - New challenge

K-Challenge, Cercle de la Voile de Paris (FRA) - 2 Cups (22nd with Baron Bich and 32nd)

Green Comm Challenge, Circolo di Vela Gargano (ITA) - 1 Cup (32nd)

Greek Challenge, NOK Poseidon - Nautical Club of Kalamata (GRE) - New challenge

Dabliu Sail Project (ITA) - New challenge

China Team, Qingdao International Yacht Club (CHN) - 1 Cup (32nd)

* The Royal Thames Yacht Club were the challenger for the first-ever America's Cup in 1870

** Luna Rossa represented Yacht Club Italia for the 32nd AC only and have now reverted to the Yacht Club Punta Ala

Below:

Standing by... in Valencia Alinghi remind themselves about sailing a V5 ACC boat before boarding the plane for Auckland and the LV Pacific Series. There'll be some fascinating feedback from this series, as Russell Coutts gets to steer Team New Zealand's last two designs and Alinghi get to try out the boat against which they defended the Cup in 2007... as well as Farr Yacht Design's best ACC efforts for BMW Oracle Racing