America’s Cup Appointments and Updates

Luna Rossa to Challenge for America’s Cup with Prada Backing.

Eagle eyes watching the Hong Kong Stock Exchange have found a notice filed to allow Prada to sponsor Luna Rossa for the next America’s Cup to the tune of Euro 40 Million.

Luna Rossa have been competing in the Extreme Sailing Series with an America’s Cup style approach. The team hired 2010 champion Paul Campbell-Jones to helm the Extreme 40 and still have a chance of winning the 2011 series.

The entry of an Italian team is good news for America’s Cup organisers who have bet on an Italian audience for two events of the America’s Cup World Series in Naples and Venice.

Aleph Asks SportFive to Find Sponsorship

Sports Pro Magazine reports that Sportfive has become the exclusive marketing partner of America’s Cup team Aleph.

Nicolas Bailly, Sportfive director of strategy and development said:

“Becoming the exclusive authority of Aleph-Team France for a competition as prestigious as the America’s Cup allows Sportfive to diversify its activities and deploy their skills in the world of sailing. Fully mobilised Sportfive will bring its forces to serve the objectives of Aleph-Team France.”

Philippe Ligot, executive director of Aleph-Team France, said:

“The partnership we offer with the America’s Cup meets the needs of multiple internal and external communications and provides opportunities for broad activation. We believe that the experience and expertise of Sportfive will value these assets, and help build a profitable partnership.”

ORACLE Racing Takes Slingsby Off the Market.

The defender of the America’s Cup doesn’t seem to be in any hurry to consider nationality rules. The ‘American’ team has hired another Australian rock-star – Tom Slingsby, onto the team.

Despite the current strength of the Australian dollar, the business model of the new America’s Cup has not been shown to work for purely commercial teams. Without a wealthy donor, the prospects of an Australian challenger are low, and with names like Spithill, Bundock, Ashby and Slingsby signed up to play under different flags, such a challenge would lack the talent required to do well.

It is reported that Slingsby is unsure of where he will fit into the Oracle team. Oracle are top-heavy with world-class sailors, currently campaigning two AC45s in the World Series.

“I’m not sure what position they see me filling. It’s early stages for myself joining the team but I have been doing all my sailing in a tactician role. But wherever I fit best.”

Phil Robertson Joins China Team.

After just one year on the World Match Racing Tour, New Zealand match racer Phil Robertson has joined the Chinese challenger for the America’s Cup – China Team.

While the team pursues its goal to have a team made up of Chinese nationals for the campaign in 2013, they are utilising the skills of young sailors from around the world with their challenge. In Plymouth, Graeme Spence, a long term member of Torvar Mirsky’s match racing team was bowman for the Chinese team.

Phil Robertson has benefited from the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron Youth training Program and setting up and leading Waka Racing. Waka Racing is currently ranked 9th in the world for match racing.

Garth Ellingham has also joined the team. Garth also grew up through the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron Lion Foundation Youth Training program and joined Waka Racing 3 years ago as Mainsheet and Tactician.