No US Entry for So-Called America's Cup?

There are 9 new teams and 9 old ones.

If SNG/Alinghi prevails in court, and this version of the next America's Cup goes forward, this will become the first time an American team has not been involved in the 157 year history of the America's Cup. In other words, Alinghi wins; BMW/Oracle loses. Exit the only viable American Team previously in contention.

Meanwhile, the U.S. team headed by BMW/Oracle has launched, on their own initiative, a gorgeous new TRI-maran for a future America's Cup mano-o-mano Cup Challenge of some sort. The weak-kneed need not apply for work on this bare-bones platform. Helmots, goggles and kneed guards may be the norm, t'is said.

It all, again, comes down to the money. My lawyer's are better that yours. We win. We now race on the water. Yadda, yadda, ya-hooooo.

AC33 Moves Ahead With 19 Teams, 12 Countries

According to ValenciaLife.net, Americas Cup Management has announced that 19 teams from 12 countries have entered the 33rd Americas Cup (2010), including eight new entries and each of the teams previously participating.

Three other teams were denied entry for improper documentation. One syndicate - Carbon Challenge - withdrew.

There will be two PRE-regattas in Valencia, Spain, next year - - one in July and the other in October. Then the CNEV Regatta in November and then, finally, the Americas Cup match (AC33!) in 2010.

The full list of entered teams is:

Alinghi, Société Nautique de Genève (SUI) – Defender

The Spanish Challenge Club Náutico Español de Vela (ESP) – Challenger of Record

Shosholoza, Royal Cape Yacht Club (RSA)

Team Origin, Royal Thames Yacht Club (GBR)

Team New Zealand, Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (NZL)

DCYC, Deutscher Challenger Yacht Club (GER)

Green Comm Challenge Circolo di Vela Gargano (ITA)

Ayre Challenge Real Club Náutico de Dénia (ESP)

Victory Challenge, Gamla Stans Yacht Skallskap (SWE)

Argo Challenge Club Nautico Gaeta (ITA)

Mascalzone Latino, Reale Yacht Club Canottieri Savoia (ITA)

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

Luna Rossa, Yacht Club Punta Ala (ITA)

Russia Team - Fiona, Yacht Club Seven Feet (RUS)

Joe Fly Società Canottieri Lecco (ITA)

K-Challenge, Cercle de la Voile de Paris (FRA)

Greek Challenge, N.O.K. Poseidon - Nautical Club of Kalamata (GRC)

Dabliu Sail Project (ITA)

China Team, Qingdao International Yacht Club (CHN)

BMW ORACLE Racing sailors depart for the Olympic Games

According to BMW/Oracle, America’s Cup Sailors Carl Williams and Hamish Pepper of have flown to Qingdao, China to compete in the Olympic Games. Interestingly, they will be representing not the U.S. their home country of New Zealand.

They will travel to Beijing to attend the Opening Ceremony on August 8th, before returning to Qingdao. The Olympic Star Class Regatta will start one week later, on August 15th.
Russell Coutts, BMW ORACLE Racing CEO and skipper, wished his fellow countrymen well and said the team was proud to be represented at the Olympic Games. Coutts, who in 1984 won a Gold Medal in the Finn class, also offered a few final words of advice. “It sounds cliché – you’ll feel the pressure but so will everyone else. And like any regatta, have fun and take one race at a time."

In addition to their duties with BMW ORACLE Racing, Williams and Pepper have done extensive Star class training in Valencia this year preparing for the Olympic challenge.
Williams and Pepper won the Star world championship in 2006, and are considered strong medal contenders in Qingdao.