TEAMORIGIN Brief

TEAMORIGIN Luxury Yacht Charter & Superyacht News

34th America’s Cup: United Internet Team Germany will not challenge.

October 06, 2010

United Internet Team Germany have announced that they will not be a challenger for the 2013 America’s Cup

United Internet Team Germany, who competed in the 32nd America’s Cup with a team led by Jesper Bank join TeamOrigin as another team not contesting the next event. 

United Internet Team Germany, 32nd Americas Cup - Credit United Internet Team Germany

United Internet Team Germany, 32nd Americas Cup - Credit United Internet Team Germany

In a press release United Internet Team Germany stated

“Based on the new format for the 34th America´s Cup, which was recently announced by BMW Oracle, the United Internet Team Germany refrains from participating in the competition for the world’s oldest sports trophy. Since 2007, the German team has been waiting to sail for the America´s Cup again.”

“With regards to the new rules that have been established by BMW Oracle, the United Internet Team Germany will not be able to register for the 34th America’s Cup” said head of syndicate of United Internet Team Germany, Michael Scheeren.

America’s Cup: TEAMORIGIN will not be a challenger

October 03, 2010

TEAMORIGIN, the yacht racing team established by Sir Keith Mills, and skippered by triple Olympic Gold Medallist, Ben Ainslie, announced that it will not be challenging for the next America’s Cup scheduled for 2013.

TEAMORIGIN - Credit TeamOrigin

TEAMORIGIN - Credit TeamOrigin

The team, which was set up in 2007, has been waiting for three years to enter the America’s Cup, which was delayed when the US team, BMW ORACLE Racing, took the Swiss team, Alinghi, through the US courts.  The US team won the court battle and won the 33rd America’s Cup Match to become the America’s Cup Defender in February this year.  The new US Defender has recently announced the format for the next America’s Cup, including the rules and type of boat to be raced. TEAMORIGIN has also been briefed by the Defender and has made numerous comments on both the regatta rules and class rule.

Sir Keith Mills (Patron), Ben Ainslie (skipper), Charles Dunstone (co-backer) Mike Sanderson (ex CEO) on TEAM ORIGIN at the launch in September 2007. Credit onEdition

Sir Keith Mills (Patron), Ben Ainslie (skipper), Charles Dunstone (co-backer) Mike Sanderson (ex CEO) on TEAM ORIGIN at the launch in September 2007. Credit onEdition

Having now had a chance to analyse the race format, the proposed fixed wing catamaran boat, the timetable, rules and costs, Sir Keith has concluded that the 34th America’s Cup is neither viable commercially, nor an attractive sporting contest for TEAMORIGIN. Therefore he has decided that the team will not submit a challenge when the challenge period opens on 1 November.

Sir Keith Mills, TEAMORIGIN Team Principal, “After three years of waiting in the wings to enter a British team in the America’s Cup I am bitterly disappointed that we will not be competing.  However, the format and timetable decided by the Defender, BMW/Oracle, is simply not viable for TEAMORIGIN.  We have assembled an outstanding team, led by Grant Simmer and Ben Ainslie, and I am personally very sorry that they won’t now get the chance to race for a British team in the next America’s Cup”.

TeamOrigin TP52 on the final day of the Audi MedCup 2010. The team which stood for raising awareness of climate change heads fittingly into a backdrop of wind-turbines off the Italian coast - Ian Rom

TeamOrigin TP52 on the final day of the Audi MedCup 2010. The team which stood for raising awareness of climate change heads fittingly into a backdrop of wind-turbines off the Italian coast - Ian Rom

Over the next couple of months TEAMORIGIN will be considering whether it will compete in other yachting events over the next few years.

Teamorigin responds to 34th America’s Cup Protocol

September 14, 2010

TEAMORIGIN released  the following statement after the publication of the 34th America’s Cup Protocol and the information presented at the America’s Cup Press Conference in Valencia.

Teamorigin

Grant Simmer, CEO of TEAMORIGIN, gave his comments:

“The whole America’s Cup community has been waiting a long time to get solid information on the 34th America’s Cup, and so today is a positive day for TEAMORIGIN and all prospective teams.  The Protocol and the announcements give us many important pieces of information, much of it we heard for the first time today. Furthermore the Defender commented at the press conference, that we will be receiving more important information over the coming months.”

“2013 is the year of the next Cup. We now know that for sure. There were a lot of new elements published today and a lot of changes have been made to the first Protocol draft published in June. For instance designers are able to work for more than one team, which is an interesting and significant change from past Cups. We will now review the new Protocol document and associated information to see if this matches our expectations, and we look forward to meeting the Defender with the other prospective challengers, to discuss the many detailed questions that today’s Protocol has inevitably brought to light.”

TEAMORIGIN St Moritz

Ben Ainslie, TEAMORIGIN Skipper and Helmsman, added his thoughts,

“It is great to finally have an idea of the future for the America’s Cup. Challenging in multihulls will be an interesting proposition for all of the teams. The game starts here.’

Sir Keith Mills, TEAMORIGIN Team Principal, stated:

“Larry Ellison and Russell Coutts promised Challengers:

-           A level playing field – giving teams a fair chance of winning

-           Neutral event management – to ensure the event was not controlled by one team

-           Cost containment – to prevent an arms race

We now need to study the new Protocol document and determine whether it matches these promises. TEAMORIGIN will only challenge if the 34th America’s Cup is fair and neutrally managed. “

The 1851 Cup: TEAMORIGIN wins Trafalgar Cup Match Racing Series at Cowes

August 08, 2010

Ben Ainslie and the crew of TEAMORIGIN have won the 1851 Cup in Cowes.

On this the fourth day of racing, both teams appeared to have their aggression glands fully open going into today’s third race.

In the pre-start Ben Ainslie at the helm of TEAMORIGIN did a fine job shovelling James Spithill’s BMW ORACLE Racing crew well beyond the right side of the start box and the starboard tack layline back to the committee boat. As a result both boats were late for the start line, but it allowed TEAMORIGIN to cross ahead by one to two boat lengths.

1851 Cup Regatta -Day 4 Photo Credit Ian RomanTEAMORIGIN

1851 Cup Regatta -Day 4 Photo Credit Ian RomanTEAMORIGIN

 Straight into the first beat and the two boats wasted no time in engaging in a tacking duel, with BMW ORACLE Racing behind and only managing to shake TEAMORIGIN’s cover by successfully pulling off a dummy tack. This saw the American team heading off to the left and the British to the right. However the right side benefitted TEAMORIGIN which further up the beat crossing ahead of BMW ORACLE Racing to take the left. Heading into the weather mark on the port layline they rounded 18 seconds ahead.

The British boat’s lead was enough for them to be out of reach of the Americans on the run, although with the wind rising, a significant ebb tide now flowing across the course and a giant container ship bearing down on them, there was caution all around.

TEAMORIGIN rounded the leeward gate safely and the two boats engaged in a tacking duel up the second beat that saw BMW ORACLE Racing close on them. However rounding the top mark for the final time in the strong wind TEAMORIGIN set their spinnaker successfully but seconds later when BMW ORACLE Racing tried this same manoeuvre they didn’t manage to get the halyard fully up and when the spinnaker set its foot dropped into the water pulling the sail down with it and causing them to sail over it.

1851 Cup Regatta -Day 4 Photo Credit Ian RomanTEAMORIGIN

1851 Cup Regatta -Day 4 Photo Credit Ian RomanTEAMORIGIN

 Following this disaster for the American team it was game over and Ben Ainslie and the TEAMORIGIN crew cruised to victory both in the race, also winning them the 1851 Cup with a 10-4 score.

1851 Cup Regatta -Day 4 Photo Credit Ian Roman TEAMORIGIN

1851 Cup Regatta -Day 4 Photo Credit Ian Roman TEAMORIGIN

RACE 7 — BMW ORACLE Racing wins: 

BMW ORACLE Racing has tied The 1851 Cup at 4 points by winning Race 7 over TEAMORIGIN. The British crew had a nice pre-start, nearly stuffing BMW ORACLE Racing into the “coffin corner,” the lower left part of the start box outside the layline to the pin end. But both crews were early for the line and when BMW ORACLE Racing luffed up from leeward, they were able to get back within the pin end lay. The two crews took a split tack start onto the racecourse, BMW ORACLE on starboard at the pin end and TEAMORIGIN port about mid-line.

On the racecourse BMW ORACLE Racing held starboard for about 1 minute before tacking to port, while TEAMORIGIN held starboard for about 2 minutes before coming over to starboard. BMW ORACLE Racing won the first meeting of the yachts when it took port across the bow of TEAMORIGIN in a slim cross. BMW ORACLE controlled the match up the beat protecting the starboard advantage, which it would need at the top of the leg.

The two crews were nearly bow-to-bow at the windward mark, with BMW ORACLE Racing coming in on starboard. TEAMORIGIN has shown a lot of aggression in the series with regards to the rules, and the British tried to duck inside between BMW ORACLE and the mark. They then tried to get a penalty on the American crew for shutting them out, but the on-water umpires green-flagged the incident. The British crew didn’t agree with the call and vociferously objected to the umpires’ decision with strong language. The umps then penalized TEAMORIGIN for “dissent.”

From there BMW ORACLE Racing maintained its lead around the course to tie the series on points. TEAMORIGIN still leads on the water 4-2, but with wins today worth 3 points the two teams are tied with 4 points.

The warning signal for Race 8 is scheduled for 1110 hours, with a start slated for 1120 hours.

RACE 8 — TEAMORIGIN Wins

TEAMORIGIN regained the lead in The 1851 Cup against BMW ORACLE Racing by winning Race 8 when the American yacht was saddled with a penalty. After trailing by 7 seconds at the windward mark, BMW ORACLE Racing was penalized on the first run when it didn’t keep clear of the leeward TEAMORIGIN while overtaking to windward. BMW ORACLE eventually sailed over the top and led at the leeward gate by 12 seconds. The American yacht extended that lead to 18 seconds at the second windward mark.

On the run to the finish BMW ORACLE Racing slowed the match down and eventually luffed TEAMORIGIN, both teams lowering their spinnakers. Both crews were luffing head to wind, but BMW ORACLE Racing never got its 270-degree penalty turn completed before TEAMORIGIN broke free from the engagement.

TEAMORIGIN earned 3 points for the win and now leads the standings 7-4. The next race is also worth 3 points. If BMW ORACLE Racing can win and tie the score, the two crews would sail Race 3 left over from Tuesday when 22-knot winds forced the cancellation of racing. That race would be worth 1 point and the winner would win The 1851 Cup.

The warning for Race 9 is scheduled at 1220 hours, and the start at 1230 hours.

RACE 9 — TEAMORIGIN Wins

TEAMORIGIN won Race 9 of The 1851 Cup and now leads the series against BMW ORACLE Racing by 6 points. The British crew dominated the pre-start of the race, holding BMW ORACLE Racing outside the committee boat end of the line at the start gun. TEAMORIGIN calmly held the match almost head to wind before crossing the start line almost 55 seconds late. BMW ORACLE Racing crossed the line about two boat lengths in arrears.

The British then controlled the match around the first lap. At the top of the second windward leg BMW ORACLE Racing narrowed its deficit to about one boat length, but then mishandled the spinnaker set. The chute went over the bow and TEAMORIGIN sailed away while the American crew regrouped, but the fight was over on the short course that was about than 5 nautical miles in length. TEAMORIGIN won the match by 24 seconds.

SCOREBOARD

BMW ORACLE Racing 0-0-0-1-3-0-0 – 4
TEAMORIGIN 1-1-1-1-0-0-3-3 – 10

Cowes Week: America’s Cup TeamOrigin announces team for 1851 Cup Regatta

July 29, 2010

The Royal Thames Cup

TEAMORIGIN, the British America’s Cup team, has announced their team for the 1851 Cup taking place during the Cowes Week Regatta. Included in the team are three time Olympic Gold sailor Ben Ainslie, two time Olympic Gold sailor Iain Percy and Gold medalist Andrew Simpson.

The 1851 Cup sees TEAMORIGIN challenge the current America’s Cup holders, BMW Oracle, during a series of match races in the Solent. On Thursday 5th August, the teams will race clock-wise around the Isle of White following the original course of the America’s Cup in 1851.

Garrard, the oldest jewellery house in the world, has created and unveiled a stunning new trophy ‘The Royal Thames Cup’. Designed by the internationally renowned designer and Creative Director of Garrard, Stephen Webster, the Cup features a sterling silver claret jug mounted upon an ebony base.

The Royal Thames Yacht Club will award the new Cup to the winner of the ‘Round the Island Race’ between British America’s Cup contenders, TEAMORIGIN, and the winners of the 33rd America’s Cup, BMW ORACLE Racing representing the Golden Gate YC of San Francisco.

TEAMORIGIN SAILING TEAM LISTING FOR 1851 CUP EVENT

Ben Ainslie:  Skipper & Helmsman
Iain Percy: Tactician
Andrew Simpson: Strategist
Juan Vila: Navigator
Mark Mendelblatt: Upwind Traveller
Anthony Nossiter: Runner/Pit Assist
David Carr: Runner/Aft Grind
Warwick Fleury: Mainsail Trim
Chris Brittle: Forward Grind
Will McCarthy: Main Grind
Mark McTeague: Forward Grind
Christian Kamp: Trim Down
Simon Daubney:  Trim Up
Rodney Ardern:  Pit
Julien Cressant: Mast
Matt Cornwell: Mid Bow
Matthew Mitchell: Bow

Jaguar announces partnership with TEAMORIGIN for America’s Cup.

July 28, 2010

Jaguar has announced a partnership with TEAMORIGIN, the British America’s Cup sailing team, created by Sir Keith Mills with the single purpose of winning the America’s Cup for Great Britain. This new partnership brings the two parties together for a summer of sailing activities and the first event that will see ‘TEAMORIGIN racing with Jaguar’ is during Cowes Week in August, when the team will race BMW ORACLE Racing, the current holder of the America’s Cup, in the 1851 Cup event.

Teamorigin racing with Jaguar - Photo Credit Leslie Greenhalgh TEAMORIGIN

This new partnership is part of Jaguar’s commitment to the best of British sport 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 partnership is further strengthened by the shared commitment of both organisations to strive for improved environmental performance, through TEAMORIGIN’s ‘Race for Change’ strategy, and Jaguar’s advanced Lightweight Aluminium technology, which resulted in the recent win of the 2010 What? Car Green Award. 

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.  Sir Keith has a formidable reputation for success and he has set-up TEAMORIGIN with a single purpose in mind, to win the America’s Cup for Great Britain. 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 (racing takes place between Tuesday 2nd and Friday 6th August) 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.

Jaguar and TEAMORIGIN share a passion for pioneering technologies and enhanced environmental performance.  Jaguar’s XJ 3.0 Diesel V6 Luxury model has just been awarded the 2010 What Car? Green award in the luxury category, demonstrating the company’s commitment to developing new technologies and improved performance. This is also evident with TEAMORIGIN’s partnership with the Carbon Trust as their Environmental Partner.  Jaguar’s endeavours to achieve CO2 reductions are also demonstrated with its pioneering aluminium architecture, one of the most significant contributors to the new XJ’s green credentials – using around 50 percent recycled material in the body, with future plans to increase that figure to 75 percent, which alone creates a saving of three tonnes of CO2 per vehicle compared to a body shell made from new aluminium.

Denise Lewis, Patron of the Jaguar Academy of Sport, commented: “As a Patron of the Jaguar Academy of Sport I was excited to learn about another exciting venture by Jaguar, which is continuing its efforts to support the best of British sport. Jaguar is building on the Jaguar Academy of Sport and really showing its commitment to the success of British sporting athletes.  I am looking forward to following the racing during Cowes week, Ben Ainslie and I were together at the Sydney Olympic games, where we both won gold, and I want to wish him and the team all the best for the race and look forward to hearing the result of the 1851 Cup event.”

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.”

Leslie Greenhalgh

TEAMORIGIN & BMW ORACLE Racing - Photo Credit Leslie Greenhalgh TEAMORIGIN

TEAMORIGIN to take on Americas Cup champions BMW ORACLE Racing at Cowes Week

July 16, 2010

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.

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.

Competition will take place on the historic waters of the Solent and around the Isle of Wight upon which a race won by the New York yacht America gave rise to the America’s Cup, the oldest trophy in the international sport.

The 1851 Cup celebrates this event.

Racing will be held as close to West Cowes as possible to give spectators a close-up view, with a special race around the Isle of Wight also planned.

The racing schedule is:

Match racing : up to three short match races per day on Tuesday 3rd, Wednesday 4th and Friday 6th August, starting from 1430 onwards

Round the Island race : Thursday 5th August both boats will go around the Island in a clockwise direction, replicating the direction of the yachts back in 1851

BMW ORACLE Racing’s James Spithill

Aged 30, 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.

“This will be an incredible event which I am sure will capture the imagination of sports fans across the UK,” commented Ben Ainslie. “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.”

The teams will be based at the 1851 Marquee on Cowes Parade, adjacent to the Royal Yacht Squadron.  There will be information and activities for public and guests daily.

The iconic America’s Cup will be on public display during the day.   Members of each team will be on hand to sign posters, answer questions and talk about their passion for their sport and for winning the America’s Cup.

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.”

Leslie Greenhalgh

TEAMORIGIN:

British Team Origin's Ben Ainslie

TEAMORIGIN is the British America’s Cup sailing team set up in January 2007 by Sir Keith Mills, Team Principal of TEAMORIGIN.

The team’s mission is to win the America’s Cup and inspire positive action around climate change

Headed up by Sir Keith, other key team members include Grant Simmer, CEO and three times winner of the America’s Cup; Ben Ainslie, Skipper and Helmsman, three times Olympic gold medallist and one time silver medallist; Iain Percy, Tactician and double Olympic gold medallist; and Juan Kouyoumdjian, Principal Designer

Race for Change is an inspiring strategic collaboration between sport and the environment launched in association with the Carbon Trust, the UK’s leading authority on carbon reduction, and environmental partner to the team

TEAMORIGIN plan to use the Race for Change platform and programme to raise awareness and inspire their audiences around the urgent need for action on environmental matters

The Royal Thames Yacht Club is the official challenging yacht club to the team for the next America’s Cup, this is the fourth time that the Club will challenge in the 140 year history of the contest

During 2010 the team is competing in the Louis Vuitton Trophy regattas, the AudiMed Cup TP52 series and the World Match Racing circuit

BMW ORACLE Racing:

BMW ORACLE Racing is the current America’s Cup champion, winning the 33rd Match on February 14, 2010, in Valencia, Spain.

San Francisco’s Golden Gate Yacht Club is the third American club, and only the sixth since 1851, to be Trustee of the America’s Cup.

BMW ORACLE Racing was the first American team to triumph in the Cup since 1992.

The team’s 30m trimaran, USA 17, is the most advanced and fastest America’s Cup yacht in history. It bristles with innovation, capped by the biggest wing ever built. At 68m, it is longer than any wing fitted by Boeing or Airbus.

Masterminding USA 17’s victory over Alinghi 5 of Switzerland was skipper/helmsman James Spithill, the youngest-ever winning skipper in the 159 year history of the Cup, and chief executive Russell Coutts, the most successful skipper the event has known.

BMW ORACLE Racing was started 10 years ago by Larry Ellison, founder of the global software company Oracle Corporation. It is a creative team, employing advanced technologies.

Larry Ellison is a longstanding competitive helmsman, most recently winning the RC44 class’ 2010 Austria Cup.

He has pledged to make the America’s Cup a fair competition for all competitors, a sustainable business proposition for partners and teams, and a more compelling event to engage a wider-than-ever audience