Resolution of rules infringement by Team Oracle USA for non approved modifications to AC45 catamarans competing in the America's Cup World Series

From the following article on the excellent Sail Racing Magazine website:

Oracle Team USA docked two America's Cup Final points, fined $250,000 and sailors and shore crew excluded from Cup.

 

September 3, 2013

The America's Cup international jury has handed down what is being viewed as the toughest penalty in the history of the America's Cup after finding Cup defenders Oracle Team USA guilty of gross misconduct during the America's Cup World Series.

First up the American team owned by Californian software billionaire Larry Ellison has been fined $250,000, but what will hurt Ellison's squad most is having two points deducted in the first to nine race America's Cup Final Series which begins on Saturday.  The jury ruling prescribes that Oracle will lose the points from the first two races they win once racing begins.

 

The jury decision also affects several members of the Oracle sailing team and shore crew, some of which have been excluded from any further participation in the 34th America's Cup. Amongst the sailors sanctioned are wing trimmer Dirk DeRidder and grinder Matt Mitchell. Trimmer/Grinder Kyle Langford was also implicated but appears to have escaped with a warning.

read more here

The decision made by the international jury in regards to the penalty applied to Oracle Team USA

http://noticeboard.americascup.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/JN117.pdf

The statement released by Oracle Team USA in relation to the judgement.

http://oracle-team-usa.americascup.com/news/5330/statement-from-oracle-team-usa-on-jury-decision-2

More detail on the individuals within Oracle Team USA who were penalised for the rule infringement:

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Americas-Cup:-Cheating-doesnt-pay-but-cheats-do/114036

America's Cup World series update, Measurement committee report on Team Oracle USA and BAR AC45 catamaran weight discrepancies

From the following article submitted to Sail-World by Richard Gladwell:

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Gladwells-Line:-Measurement-Committee-clarifies-report-to-Jury/113305

The often bizarre world of the America's Cup took a new twist today with the release of two new reports form the International Jury.

In fact, only one of the reports was new - that of a clarification from the Chairman of the Measurement Committee - on some points made earlier in his report to the International Jury concerning the taking out of class of three AC45 catamarans managed by Oracle Team USA.

The situation was discovered by boatbuilders from America's Cup Management, when they were assembling and equalising the AC45's to be used for the Red Bull Youth America's Cup Series.

Initially the report from the Chief Measurer has it that three forward kingposts (supporting struts under the mast and sprit of the AC45's) were found to be overweight, and had weight added to them by Oracle Team USA.

read more here

America's Cup update, more on the Team Oracle and BAR non compliance with one design AC45 regulations

From the following Sail-World article submitted by Richard Gladwell:

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Americas-Cup:-Oracle-sailing-crew-implicated-in-AC45-Measurement-bust/113118

A previously confidential report by the Chairman of the Measurement Committee reveals that according to an internal inquiry by Oracle Team USA, one member of their sailing crew was involved along with three members of the team Shore crew in the AC45 Measurement incident which broke late last week.

The incident relates to the finding on July 26, that a builder supplied part of three AC45's managed by America's Cup Defenders Oracle Team USA, had been tampered with, and had over 2kgs of ballast added to it.

The discovery was made by boatbuilders working for America's Cup Regatta Management (ACRM).

The amount of additional weight added is miniscule, and it is equally hard to understand why it would be located forward in the boat, however the point is that it was a breech of the class rules for the AC45 - which is a one design manufacturer supplied class.

read more here

Rule 69 hearing to be carried out over illegally modified AC45 one design catamarans belonging to Oracle and Ben Ainslie Racing teams

From the following article on the excellent Sail Racing News magazine:

Op-Ed: Oracle Team USA and Ben Ainslie Racing await Rule 69 investigation after admitting America's Cup World Series rules violations.

 

August 10, 2013

Depending on who you listen to in San Francisco, the revelation by Oracle Team USA in the last few days that their AC45 catamarans had been illegally modified during the America's Cup World Series, us either a storm in a teacup or professional sailing's equivalent of the Lance Armstrong scandal.
Oracle tried to take the high ground on the situation by issuing a carefully worded press release late on Thursday claiming that the infringement had come to light after an internal investigation led by team CEO Russell Coutts. The inference was that the American syndicate had caught itself cheating and done the honourable thing by withdrawing from the last four AC World Series events. In their view, it seems that should be an end to it.

In reality the illegal modifications were discovered by the America's Cup measurement team who were scrutineering the AC45 fleet for the upcoming Red Bull Youth America's Cup. The measurers discovered lead weights amounting to about 2.5 kg packed into the king posts at the front end of three of the boats - two which had previously been raced by Oracle and the other one prepared by Oracle but used by Sir Ben Ainslie's BAR campaign.

Read more here

America's Cup World Series update, highlights video of the Naples event and final results

America's Cup World Series update: News from Naples ACWS event

Once again lots of coverage from Naples of the America's Cup World Series so I'll just post the links below.  All links courtesy of Sail-World:

America's Cup World Series, Naples - Smashing action on day 2 + Video            

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Americas-Cup-World-Series,-Naples---Smashing-action-on-day-2-+-Video/108604

America's Cup World Series, Naples - Oracle Team USA on to match semis            

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Americas-Cup-World-Series,-Naples---Oracle-Team-USA-on-to-match-semis/108606

America's Cup World Series - Images from Naples by Carlo Borlenghi            

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Americas-Cup-World-Series---Images-from-Naples-by-Carlo-Borlenghi/108607

Fisher's View: Poets in Naples - America's Cup WS - Race Day 2            

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Fishers-View:-Poets-in-Naples---Americas-Cup-WS---Race-Day-2/108608

America's Cup WS: Images from Naples - Close to the action - Day 2            

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Americas-Cup-WS:-Images-from-Naples---Close-to-the-action---Day-2/108619

America's Cup: Teams in Naples come together to show support            

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Americas-Cup:-Teams-in-Naples-come-together-to-show-support/108625

AC World Series - New Zealand score back to back wins in fleet racing            

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/AC-World-Series---New-Zealand-score-back-to-back-wins-in-fleet-racing/108628

Fisher's View: Birthday - in Naples - America's Cup WS - Race Day 3            

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Fishers-View:-Birthday---in-Naples---Americas-Cup-WS---Race-Day-3/108633

America's Cup World Series - Oracle Team USA through to match final            

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Americas-Cup-World-Series---Oracle-Team-USA-through-to-match-final/108636

America's Cup WS: Images from Naples - At the rounding mark - Day 3

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Americas-Cup-WS:-Images-from-Naples---At-the-rounding-mark---Day-3/108635

America's Cup: Two wins in fleet racing for Emirates Team NZ

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Americas-Cup:-Two-wins-in-fleet-racing-for-Emirates-Team-NZ/108641

America's Cup and America's Cup World Series updates

I'll just include the basic links as a lot of articles have been posted particularly on the America's Cup World Series.  All links courtesy of Sail-World:

Recent updates on AC72 catamaran programs by the teams:

Emirates Team New Zealand update relocating to San Francisco:

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Americas-Cup:-Elvis-leaves-the-Building/108546

Emirates Team NZ have folded their tents and started the physical move to San Francisco, where they will be re-erected.

read more here

Artemis team out training on their AC72 catamaran in San Francisco Bay

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Americas-Cup:-Riding-the-Beast---Artemis-Racing-trains-on-the-Bay/108505

Top photographer, Sander van der Borsch, captured this gallery of images of Artemis Racing's AC72 performing spectacularly on San Francisco Bay, after being retro-fitted with foils, and relaunched in April.

read more here

America's Cup: Kiwi Cup vet receives emergency liver transplant in SFO

 http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Americas-Cup:-Kiwi-Cup-vet-receives-emergency-liver-transplant-in-SFO/108565          

Recent updates on the racing in AC45 catamarans in the America's Cup World Series in Naples:

America's Cup World Series - Practice session on the Bay of Naples

America's Cup World Series - Practice session on the Bay of Naples

AC World Series - Training day images by Carlo Borlenghi            

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/AC-World-Series---Training-day-images-by-Carlo-Borlenghi/108516

Fisher's View: Wished for a Lay Day - America's Cup WS, Naples - Day 2            
http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Fishers-View:-Wished-for-a-Lay-Day---Americas-Cup-WS,-Naples---Day-2/108517

America's Cup WS: Images from Naples, Practice Day 2            

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Americas-Cup-WS:-Images-from-Naples,-Practice-Day-2/108523

America's Cup WS: Coming at ya! Images from inside the Mark at Naples            

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Americas-Cup-WS:-Coming-at-ya!-Images-from-inside-the-Mark-at-Naples/108522

America's Cup World Series Naples - Day 1 images by Carlo Borlenghi

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Americas-Cup-World-Series-Naples---Day-1-images-by-Carlo-Borlenghi/108560

America's Cup World Series - Team BAR claims early lead in Naples            

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Americas-Cup-World-Series---Team-BAR-claims-early-lead-in-Naples/108561

AC World Series, Naples - Split results for Oracle Team USA on day 1

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/AC-World-Series,-Naples---Split-results-for-Oracle-Team-USA-on-day-1/108567

Fisher's View: Watching the breeze die.' - America's Cup WS - Day 3

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Fishers-View:-Watching-the-breeze-die.-----Americas-Cup-WS---Day-3/108564

America's Cup WS: Images from Naples - around they go!            

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Americas-Cup-WS:-Images-from-Naples---around-they-go!/108581

AC Uncut, Nathan Outteridge gives his tips for AC45 catamaran sailing

America's Cup World Series, live streams scheduled on Youtube for Naples Event

Day one of America's Cup World Series racing in Naples



Day two of racing in Naples



Day three of racing in Naples



Day four of racing in Naples

America's Cup Word Series update, Oracle Team USA ready to rumble in Naples

From the following Sail-World article submitted by Lisa Ramsperger

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Americas-Cup-World-Series,-Naples:-Oracle-Team-USA-ready-for-battle/108460

Following on from alternating between sailing the AC72 and training for the next America’s Cup World Series, Oracle Team USA is in Naples, Italy, and ready to focus on racing the AC45. Skipper Tom Slingsby and crew Sam Newton (wing trimmer), Kinley Fowler (jib trimmer), Rome Kirby (runner) and Piet van Nieuwenhuijzen (bowman), arrived over the weekend and hit the ground running in preparation for this week’s regatta, held April 16-21.

'All of our focus has been on the AC72, but on the days that we are not sailing on the AC72, we have been able get out on the AC45s. We’ve had a few training sessions over the last couple of weeks which have been really important,' said Slingsby. 'We’ll have a few days of training and hopefully improve as much as we can before racing starts. And, I know to expect huge crowds – last year was the biggest crowd I’ve seen in sailing, so I’ll be ready for that, which will hopefully take away some of the nerves.'

Slingsby, gold medalist from the London 2012 Olympic Games, will helm the team’s entry in the regatta, marking his first ACWS as skipper. He has been in the tactician role in previous ACWS regattas, including the 2012 ACWS in Naples.

'I’m really excited,' Slingsby said. 'I’ve been given an opportunity that I’m sort of taking with both hands and trying to run with it. It won’t be easy – any skipper in their first event in the AC45s hasn’t traditionally done too well, and it’s always quite tough. But, we’ll do our best. We’re a young, motivated team and we’ll see how it goes.'

The crew was on the water shortly after landing in Naples. On Sunday, they raced in the Coast Parade Trophy 2013 along the Naples coastline, finishing third.
read more here

America's Cup World Series update, Energy Team ready to do battle in Naples

From the Energy Team website:

http://energy-team.americascup.com/en/news/1776/energy-team-in-the-starting-blocks-in-naples

The AC World Series de Naples begins on Thursday 16^th April and will see the elite AC45 crews doing battle. Led by Yann Guichard, the French crew on Energy Team have a tough fight ahead of them against competitors that have been training for a long time.

The final AC45 event before the Louis Vuitton Cup, the AC World Series in Naples looks like being extremely spectacular, as it is expected to be raced in the sunshine and near perfect conditions, with a moderate thermal breeze. Yann Guichard, who will be at the helm of the Energy Team AC45, is expecting 8 to 14 knots of wind on relatively calm seas. “In any case, we are not going to be facing the sort of extreme conditions we experienced last year, when the wind was too strong… or indeed much too weak.”

Between Vesuvius and Capri, the Bay of Naples will offer “one final opportunity to shine in a magnificent setting, with the boats sailing right up close to the breakwater,” explained the pilot of Energy Team. Most of the French crew remains unchanged with Christophe André, Arnaud Jarlegan, and Devan Le Bihan. The only change from the last event is the arrival of Christophe Espagnon as wing trimmer. “We know Christophe very well – we went through an Olympic training together – and he has settled in very well,” Yann told us.

 

read more here

 

 

America's Cup World Series update, Emirates Team New Zealand win preliminary coastal race in Naples

The first event in the America's Cup World Series, Naples was staged today with the Coastal Race, a 21 mile jaunt around the picturesque coastline surrounding the Naples venue.

Sailed in light airs, Emirates Team New Zealand won the event, and compiled this video and report of the day:

From the following Sail-World article submitted by Emirates Team New Zealand

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Americas-Cup-WS-Naples:-Emirates-Team-NZ-wins-Coastsl-Race---Video/108430

Emirates Team New Zealand began their 2013 Naples ACWS program in dominant fashion by winning the 21 mile coastal race along the picturesque Naples coast line.

Although today's race and its results have no points or bearing on the standings of the regatta which commences on Thursday, it was a strong and satisfying way to start the week.

The race began in light 6 knots of breeze and by the first mark Emirates Team New Zealand had worked their way into rounding in 4th position.

read more here

America's Cup World Series, updates from the Artemis and China Teams

From the following Sail-World articles: China Team

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Americas-Cup-World-Series:-New-and-old-faces-turn-out-for-China-Team/108378

At this year's America's Cup World Series in Naples Italy, China Team will introduce seven new young Chinese sailors to compete in this years 2013 ACWS.

'We are trying to promote the sailing regatta in China' says Vivian Wang, the Media Manager for China Team.
Last November, these new young sailors went to a training camp to learn how to handle the 45ft wingsailed catamaran handle the one design catamaran, designed as an entry level boat for teams wishing to compete in a future America's Cup

They are really looking forward to sailing here in Italy. A young team, the sailors range from 20 to 26 years of age. The training for the team in China is considered to be very strict, by Western standards, but has produced a team of Chinese nationals, rather than what has gone before - being a team from New Zealand sailing under the China Team banner.

Returning to China Team is Mitch Booth (AUS), their former skipper, who is a Silver Olympic Medalist and multiple World Champion in the former Olympic Tormado class, and an old friend to the America's Cup World Series having served as a skipper or expert commentator.

So far, Mitch is very impressed

read more here

From the following Sail-World article by Artemis Racing

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Artemis-Racing-ready-for-ACWS-finale-in-Naples/108380

As the team back in Alameda continues to focus on the AC72 program, Charlie will be backed by AC45 veterans Troy Tindill (wing), Peter Merrington (tactician/floater), Anthony Nossiter (trim) and Matt Cornwell (bow) who are all AC45 veterans.

'Charlie represents the future of high speed sailing in Sweden. We are happy to give him the chance to get involved in the racing in this America's Cup as a step toward the future,' said Paul Cayard, CEO of Artemis Racing. 'Naples is a fantastic venue for sailing and showed last year what great hosts they are and how excited they are about the America's Cup. I am sure this year will be even better.'
'All members of the team here in Naples have been fantastic and helpful towards preparing me for what is to come next week. I feel ready to go sailing. Sailing with the highly experienced crew onboard Artemis Racing White will be important for not only this event, but also for Swedish Youth Challenge for the Red Bull Youth America's Cup' explains Charlie.

read more here

America's Cup update, AC uncut talk to Tom Slingsby of Team Oracle USA

Tom Slingsby is going to be taking over the helming duties for Jimmy Spithill at the America's Cup World Series event in Naples for the Oracle Team.  Genny Tulloch from AC Uncut talks to him about the upcoming racing.

America's Cup World Series update, Ben Ainslie racing team set to compete in Naples

From the following Sail-World article submitted by Lucy Harwood, Ben Ainslie Racing                                   

http://www.sail-world.com/Australia/Americas-Cup-WS:-Ben-Ainslie-and-J.P.-Morgan-BAR-head-to-Naples/108299

Naples marks the final event of the 2012-13 America’s Cup World Series season. With two events under their belt J.P. Morgan BAR sit in fourth place overall and will look to improve on their second place result from the last event in October 2012.

J.P. Morgan BAR are 49 points from the current season leader Oracle Team USA (Spithill), with Tom Slingsby taking on helming duties for the team at this event. It might seem like a big points gap, but with 40 points on offer for first place during the Super Sunday final race, one small mistake can mean a big difference on the leaderboard. The existing crew from the last event in San Francisco will remain, with one change for Naples, bowman Jan Dekker (RSA) will replace Simeon Tienpont (NED) who will remain in San Francisco to work on the Oracle Team USA AC72 programme.

Racing will take place right by the shore giving the spectators a chance to see these wing sailed catamarans up close as nine teams battle it out for overall victory in Naples. The AC45 is one of the most technologically advanced sailing boats in the world, the fixed wing provides incredible acceleration and speed but they are not an easy ride for the crew onboard.

Read more here

America's Cup World Series, Live video feed from Naples event

The America's Cup World Series in Naples, Italy is scheduled to display as a video stream on the following link.  Check the link for time till start

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnYunQO7BvY&feature=g-high-lss

America's Cup World Series update, next event April 16 - 21 in Naples, Italy

From the following press release by the ACEA on americascup.com

http://www.americascup.com/en/news/4/events/14755/americas-cup-world-series-brings-top-teams-to-naples-for-season-decider

Nine of the best racing crews in the world will descend on Naples, Italy this month for the final event in the 2012-13 America’s Cup World Series.

The Italian team, Luna Rossa Challenge, will again be the center of the attention, as it was last year, when the team made a stunning debut in Naples.

“The most beautiful memory from last year’s event in Naples is the Neapolitans, their warmth and support not only for our team, but for the event itself,” said Luna Rossa skipper Max Sirena. “Still today the image of the crowd spread all over the sea-front and on the surrounding hills remains the symbol of last year’s event. I trust that the crowd will be even larger this year, and that it will support us even stronger.

The America’s Cup defending champion, ORACLE TEAM USA, currently tops the table and is looking to repeat its win in the inaugural America’s Cup World Series. Young Tom Slingsby will have the responsibility of bringing home top spot as he takes over the skipper role from Jimmy Spithill for the Naples regatta.

read more here

America's Cup World Series, AC Uncut talk to Ben Ainslie

Genny Tulloch and the AC Uncut crew talk to Ben Ainslie about the upcoming Naples ACWS event as part of the JP Morgan/BAR team and adapting to multihulls and new sailing techniques.

Sailingworld interview Russell Coutts on progress at Oracle Team USA and the upcoming America's Cup

From the following Sailingworld article by Michelle Slade

http://www.sailingworld.com/blogs/racing/americas-cup/riding-high

These days, Russell Coutts spends a lot more time in his office than out on the water. But for the America’s Cup most successful skipper, it’s all part of the challenge of the game. In fact, he appears to be thriving amidst the barrage of criticism from fans, other teams, and San Francisco politicians. Though, to be fair, many people have been much more positive about the new look of the America’s Cup. He remains confident that once the event starts, the negativity will die down considerably and the racing will command everyone’s attention, just as he hoped it would.

read more here

AC Discovered, edition 83. AC45 World Series

This edition of AC Discovered (83) focusses on the AC45 catamaran and the America's Cup World Series.