Yesterday a video post, today our first ever audio slide show -- of photos from Kiel this morning, as USA 71 and RSA 48 were unloaded.



With thanks to Benedict Horber (GER, marketing team) for the
snaps. Audio, too, so turn up your speakers.

Am always a little skeptical of any car that gets high ratings from auto-enthusiast magazines. Great car, but is it practical to own and operate? But when the auto-mags and the more consumer-oriented reviewers are singing the same song, you have to sit up and take notice. Hence our not having mentioned anything previously about the acclaimed 2006 BMW M5, until today's sterling review ("Editor's Choice") on c|net.


As much as we like the long-wheelbase 7 Series, perhaps Munich could
send an M5 for "testing" here in Valencia? Certainly would be easier to
park in VLC's narrow streets. ;)

Our families and friends, especially those in the States, will be interested to know that CNBC's "On the Money" show will be covering the America's Cup tonight (in the USA, other times around the world), including a segment on BMWOR. Full story on the CC Blog, and Jane Eagleson will try to track down video of our segment to post eventually here on the BOB.

Always interesting to keep abreast of goings-on in F1 in case there are learnings for the America's Cup -- whether to mimic, or avoid. Latest example....

Yesterday, BMW Sauber's vertical wings, called "twin towers" in honor of the buildings of the same name in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (home of BMW Sauber sponsor Petronas) were banned by the FIA. Charlie Whiting, FIA's Technical Delegate roughly equivalent to the AC's Ken McAlpine, made the announcement in an email to the F1 teams.

From Canada's TSN.ca website:


The towers, which are mounted on the nose cone part of the bodywork parallel to the front tires, made their debut on the F1.06 at the French Grand Prix. At the time, there were concerns that the fins might inhibit the driver's vision. But Jacques Villeneuve downplayed those concerns, saying the antennas on the car don't hamper his vision.

Still, the FIA has circulated a note to all the teams expressing their concern that such elements could impair the forward and/or lateral vision of the driver. They said that unless a team can prove such a device does not impair vision, no bodywork will be allowed on the forward nose section which rises higher than the top of the roll structure.

Cynics suggest that FIA made the move after reports that other teams were considering similar aerodynamic structures, thus leading to a forrest of towers on the starting grid. Back in the 1990's, FIA banned similar tower designs for safety reasons. However, many believed the move was made because F1 officials were worried that the towers looked ugly on television.


Or were they concerned that BMW Sauber have come up with something, while legal under the rules, would give them an "unfair" advantage (Ferrari didn't think of it first)?


Certainly unusual. BMW Sauber head Prof Dr Theissen was in
VLC for Act 10; did he spend some time with BMW ORACLE's
wingnuts?


KL's namesake Petronas Twin Towers,
two of the world's tallest structures.

Just in, for our second-ever video post, is this piece (under 3 mins) shot at the finals of the Portugal Match Cup, including the photo finish in the 5th and final match with Magnus Holmberg & Co of Sweden's Victory Challenge....



Video courtesy of Mr Simon Green, editor of the video produced for
the World Match Racing Tour.

This release is hitting the wires around the world today....


Kiel -- The German capital of sailing is hosting an extraordinary guest these days: BMW ORACLE Racing’s America’s Cup Yacht USA 71. The 24-metre, high-tech yacht is due to arrive in Kiel this evening at 7 pm after nine days on a container ship from the Spanish Mediterranean to the German Baltic Sea coast. On Monday morning last week, the boat, attached to its keel, was loaded onto a container ship in the harbour of Valencia. A mast, two containers with equipment, and a chase boat were also shipped.

BMW ORACLE Racing will race USA 71 from 3 to 6 August when the team joins two other America’s Cup teams for the premiere German Sailing Grand Prix. The crew of CEO and skipper Chris Dickson will compete against Team Shosholoza from South Africa and United Internet Team Germany, the German Challenger for the America’s Cup 2007.

The container ship will be unloaded starting at 8am on the morning of Wednesday 26 July. USA 71 will remain on the dock in its cradle in Osthafen until Thursday July 27 when the event pontoons are in place. The mast of USA 71 will be stepped on Wednesday 2 August in time for sailing on Thursday 3 August.

Chris Dickson is pleased that the team has the opportunity to race in Kiel. “BMW ORACLE Racing has many ties to Germany, so this event allows our team a chance to celebrate our German connections by bringing the excitement of America’s Cup Class racing to Germany for the first time. In addition to our partner BMW, our sponsor and supplier family includes many German based companies including Allianz, Geo. Gleistein, Bitburger and Roland Berger.”

A number of Germans are amongst the international team including marketing’s Mirko Groeschner (Magdeburg) and Benedikt Horber (Munich) and two-time America’s Cup winning principal sail designer Mickey Ickert (Berlin). Racing on board in Kiel will be German sailing team member Tony Kolb (Munich). Kolb was part of the winning German around-the-world race team that had a triumphant finish in Kiel in June 2002 experienced by some 250,000 German sailing fans.

An additional strong German component is the partner of the team – BMW. Experienced German engineers of the automotive manufacturer are involved in the development of the new high-tech yachts of the America’s Cup challenger – particularly in the field of intelligent lightweight construction which is successfully applied in BMWs automotive research. And at the beginning of the year, the BMW Plant Eisenach completed the manufacture of the new keel fin, thus producing one of the most important component parts of the current BMW ORACLE Racing America’s Cup yacht.

The sailing team arrives Wednesday 2 August from Valencia in preparation for the first day of sailing on Thursday 3 August.


71's last Act: USA 71 has not raced in a regatta since Act 3, the fleet
racing event here in VLC during October 2004 (photo above). 71
subbed for 76 in Acts 2 and 3 after 76 was damaged during the freak
windstorm that struck the last night of Marseille LV Act 1 (Sep 04).

Bright and early tomorrow (Tuesday) morning our advance party led by Scotty Sandford (NZL, shore team) and including Capt. Craig Christensen (NZL, support boat mgr), Rodney Daniel (AUS, sailing team) and Tony Kolb (GER, sailing team) leave for Kiel. Following later in the week and early next will be other members of the sailing, support and marketing teams, who likewise will fly the by now familiar Spanair leg to Munich. Then, following a brief layover at MUC's comfortable, new airport you take one of the many daily LH flights up to Hamburg and drive the hour or so north on Germany's A7 autobahn to Kiel.

Grass will not be growing on the stones -- or boats -- remaining at our team base in VLC. While some of us are shuttling off to Kiel, the rest are engaged in the two-boating that continues with 76 and 87. Talk about a three-ring circus: it's 71 that has been shipped to Kiel for the upcoming German Sailing Grand Prix.

Speaking of which, the GSGP website is now up for those of you who read German, or (like some of us) aspire to.


As anyone who has raced at Kiel in the summer can tell you,
it can be hot like Valencia (humid or dry), or it can be cold
and rainy, or anywhere in between. So, as always, we defer
to our team met-man, Chris Bedford. CB says the average
max is 21C, min 13 -- a bit cooler than VLC! Click for the
current 10-day forecast for Kiel, courtesy of Weather.com.


Recent GSGP planning meeting at our Base -- from left (all from GER):
UITG's Eva Heil and team CEO Michael Scheeren, Benedict Horber who is
project managing the GSGP for our marketing team, Shosholoza's marketing
mgr Lars Boecking, and BMWOR marketing head Mirko "Herr Direktor"
Groeschner.

(After 1st Stage)

1. Chris DICKSON, BMW Oracle Racing, 25 points
2. Magnus HOLMBERG, Victory Challenge, 20
3. Peter GILMOUR, PST, 15
4. Jes GRAM-HANSEN, Mascalzone Latino, 12
5. Mathieu RICHARD, Saba Sailing Team, 10
6. Chris LAW, The Outlaws, 8
7. Thierry PEPONNET, Areva Challenge, 6
8. Staffan LINDBERG, Alandia Team, 4

“The conditions are very difficult and we knew we were going to lose some,” Dickson said after the dramatic 3-2 win. “We took one race at a time. I lost one start which made it difficult, it was close racing. Magnus and his crew sailed very well.” -- CD after yesterday's win at the Portugal Match Cup, from the full story (nice ink) on the World Match Racing Tour site.


Plenty of breeze yesterday: one of the pre-starts against Magnus
Holmberg's strong team from Sweden's Victory Challenge. Note the
beautiful backdrop Cascais provides for photos and, no doubt, TV.


Cockpit view: upwind action. From all reports the win came on the
strong back of good teamwork.


Puffy offshore breeze made the conditions challenging to say the least.


Reigning Tour champion Peter Gilmour (AUS), PST, won the Petite Final
by 2-1 over Jes Gram-Hansen (DEN), Mascalzone Latino –Capitalia Team,
which placed fourth. “Every now and again you do well, third I can’t
complain about,” said Gilmour. “I’m very impressed with the win that
the BMW Oracle guys had. I’ve got a couple of close friends and my
bowman (Kazuhiko Sofuku) was sailing with them and they won well, I
was very impressed.”


Hope it's Moet: Flipper, Zach, Fuku and Jann hitting the champagne
showers, while Dicko tries to steer clear behind the wheel, after winning
yesterday's final final by just a few metres.


BMW Oracle Racing skipper and CEO Chris Dickson at the prizegiving
with Justino de Sa Machado, Portugal Match Cup founder and organizer.

Congrats to Dicko, Flipper, Fuku, Jann and Zach for their win in the finals
of the PMC over in Cascais this afternoon, 3-2 over Magnus Holmberg & Co
of Sweden's Victory Challenge. Details shortly on our main team website.

Zach trims and keeps an eye on the leeward yacht (Peter Gilmour's PST)
as Dicko blocks Gilmour during a pre-start in yesterday's semifinal racing.
Our guys were on a roll again, winning both races to lead their first-to-win
three semifinal 2-0. The Portugal Match Cup concludes today. Details on
our main team website.

In Portugal yesterday Dicko & Co won their quarterfinal against Mathieu
Richard's (FRA) team 2-1, advancing to the semis today against reigning
WMRT champ Peter Gilmour. Details on our main team website.

Dicko & Co remain on top and undefeated at the Portugal Match Cup. Details on our main team website, and good coverage, too, on the Valencia Sailing website.


Our guys have Thierry Pepponet (FRA, and late of the Areva Challenge)
safely tucked away in a match yesterday.


Portugal Match Cup continues today with the quarter-finals. The PMC
is the first stop on the 2006 World Match Racing Tour which also
constitutes the ISAF World Match Racing Championship. Again for
2006-07 BMW is a World Match Racing Tour Partner and the official car.

In the "Know Your Partners" vein, a report in tomorrow's (Friday) International Herald Tribune:

FRANKFURT -- The luxury automaker BMW on Thursday chose its head of production, Norbert Reithofer, to succeed Helmut Panke, the chief executive who had directed the company's successful expansion into the United States while driving it to ever-higher profits.

Panke, who has reached the mandatory BMW retirement age of 60, will hand over the leadership to Reithofer, 50, on Sept. 1, BMW, formally Bayerische Motoren Werke, said.

Full story

[UPDATE, 19:55 CET Thu: After an interesting day of emails back and forth with two longtime friends -- John Rousmaniere, preeminent Cup historian and author; and Tom Leweck, founder and editor of Scuttlebutt -- look for a guest editorial by John to lead tomorrow's 'Butt, which the BOB will pick up and, with any luck, amplify.]


The yacht, not the nation. We see this issue debated in books and articles from time to time. This morning Scuttlebutt (North America) published a letter that is consistent with our understanding of what took place in the final years of the yacht America -- for which, as you will know, the oldest trophy in international sports is named:


* From Dave Gendell, Editor, SpinSheet Magazine: (Further clarification on the sad death of the original Schooner AMERICA) In October 1921, Charles Francis Adams presented the restored America to the Naval Academy on behalf of the Eastern YC. She was accepted by the Academy's superintendent for a nominal purchase price of one dollar. Sadly, there was no preservation fund or program and she was left to rot in her slip on the Severn River.

In late 1940 she was hauled, some say at the direct request of FDR, in Eastport, at the Annapolis Yacht Yard (the Trumpys would not arrive on the scene until 1947). A proper restoration effort began but was rudely interrupted by the events of December 7, 1941. On March 29, 1942, a makeshift shed over her hull collapsed under the weight of snow from a freak spring storm. She was damaged beyond repair.

Throughout the war years, souvenir hunters picked over her remains. AMERICA was finally broken up and her remains hauled away over the winter of 1945-46. Bits of her are scattered throughout the yachting world and a hunk sits on my desk as I type this note. But those holding such pieces, present company included, should bear in mind the words of an old time Annapolis salt: "If you put all the supposed bits of AMERICA together you could build three schooners...."


Annapolis is also the home of Farr Yacht Design, which firm provides a number of the members of our design team -- notably Bruce Farr and his colleagues Brian Baker, Mat Bird, Alon Finkelstein, Dave Fornaro and Britt Ward. When we have a meeting in Annapolis we often make our way to the Charthouse, a popular restaurant with local sailors. What was the Annapolis Yacht Yard (later Trumpy's) where America met her demise in 1942, is today, our FYD colleagues tell us, the Chart House parking lot.

By the way, the Cup had its longest hiatus during those war years, with no defense held between 1937 and 1958. The "modern era" began in '58 with the introduction of the 12-Metre class. Since then, counting AC 32 next year, fully half -- 16 -- of the total number of defenses will have taken place: '58, '62', '64, '67, '70, '74, '77, '80, '83, '87, '88, '92, '95, '00, '03, '07. We must be doing something right; it seems likely Commodore Stevens, George Schuyler and the other members of the America syndicate would be pleased with all their yacht hath wrought, despite it's ignoble demise.


A restored yacht America berthed in the Severn River at Annapolis in this
photo taken 25 Sep 1940, courtesy of the Charles W. Cushman Photograph
Collection, Indiana University Archives / Digital Library Program. (Amazing
color slide/photo from 66 years ago; looks better than the next photo from
five years ago.)


The latest replica of the schooner yacht America, under full sail off
Newport, RI on 6 Sep 2001 -- five days before the fateful events in NYC and
elsewhere in the USA now simply known as "9/11". The replica above was
built in 1995.

The 1995 replica is now a tourist and corporate charter boat in San
Diego, seen here in a recent photo greeting the USS Ronald Reagan
off Point Loma. An earlier replica was built in 1967, is in Europe, and is
expected in Valencia at some point during AC 32.

As you may have read on our main team website, Dicko & Co. are off to a
good start (3-0, the only undefeated team) at the Portugal Match Cup off
Cascais north of Lisbon. Cascais was the other finalist, along with Valencia,
in the running to be chosen as the venue for AC32. Many suggest that
Cascais would have provided a better backdrop for TV.


From left: Kazuhiko Sofuku (JPN), Jann Neergaard (DEN), Zach Hurst (NZL),
Chris Dickson (NZL) and Paul Westlake (AUS) as they round the top mark
and hoist to the kite in one of yesterday's three wins. The PMC owns a
fleet of SM 40's, the mini-ACC boats like the two you may have seen at our
base in VLC that are used by the sailing team for match racing training. We
have two more SM 40s in SFO that Larry and other members of the sailing
team often use for training.

The Belgian National Girls Under-16 Hockey team played in the European Championship here in VLC last week. The parents of one of the girls, Mr Marc DeGroof, is a regional manager for BMW Group Belux. Marc arranged for the team to visit our Base after the tournament was over ("no, unfortunately we did not win but they played well").

Reached by phone back in BEL today he said, "The girls especially enjoyed the public interactive area [our ground floor "BMW ORACLE Racing Experience"] where they could learn about the Cup and test their strength and balance. I would like to thank you for the warm welcome you gave to the girls and their parents."


Making the best of good BMW connections while in Valencia last week: a
team photo of the nicely turned-out Belgian National Girls U16 Hockey
Team on our deck at the Team Base overlooking the Port America's Cup.

New billboard by BMW Spain that greets passengers as they
exit the baggage claim area into the terminal at VLC. Great
concept!

Excerpt from an article by longtime sailing writer Bill O. Center in today's San Diego Union, who recently interviewed San Diego resident, at least when he is not in VLC, Peter Isler (USA, sailing team):


...Peter Isler believes the 32nd America's Cup – which will be sailed in Valencia, Spain, starting in April – could be one of the best.

“It could come down to racing and not a boat speed contest,” the San Diegan said last week from the BMW-Oracle camp.

“Very few secrets remain,” Isler continued. “The new version of the International America's Cup Class rule has made the box smaller. The boats are nearing the technological limits in hull, masts and appendages.”

Isler is particularly excited about the American hopes, which this year rest with one team.

“I really believe the United States is going to have something to cheer about,” said Isler, who will serve as the navigator on BMW Oracle. “I'm pretty optimistic where we are.”

The U.S. team bankrolled by Oracle founder Larry Ellison emerged from the previewing 12 “acts” leading up to next year's event as one of four teams to beat – joining fellow challengers Luna Rosa of Italy and Emirates Team New Zealand, and the Alinghi defenders from Switzerland.

But there are 11 challengers in Spain, including first-time entrants China, South Africa and Germany.

“The four upper echelon teams have a bit of a jump on everyone else,” Isler said. “But overall, the racing has been closer than ever. I see Spain and Sweden having the best shot at the final spot in the challenger semifinals.

“But everyone has at least one new boat to launch. And there's a ton of sailing to do. Rarely a day goes by that at least two teams don't hook up for practice races or testing.

“Everyone is based right here in Valencia. There's never been a better chance in the history of the event for teams to go to school on other teams. This is going to be a long, hard slug.”

Full story.


"Pedro" doing a TV interview at the Base during
Act 10.

This one is typical of the emails our team gets from team hospitality guests following each Act (we had over 2000 guests for Act 12 alone):

I just wanted to say a really huge thank you for my amazing day out on the BMW ORACLE spectator boat. It was so cool! I have bragged to all my friends and anyone else that will listen about how I lived a life of luxury in Spain... drinking champagne on super yachts... getting closer to the AC action than any other spectator boat... I have even started calling my tiny little sinking dinghy a super yacht now because I really think it sounds better. And I occasionally serve Cava to my guests. But a day out on my dinghy isn't, of course, a patch on my day out with you! I even made friends with a lovely girl who lives near me back here in England. The yacht was amazing and it was so much fun to see the action commentated, which really helped my understanding of the goings on! The staff were all really friendly and I just simply had a really lovely day and felt very special...thank you so much again for the opportunity!

Not only the Marketing Department, but most everyone on the team contributes to the success of our guest program. Congrats to all for another job well done in 2006. No doubt we are well prepared for the longer-haul grand finale next year.


The last "Morning Show" of Act 12, in front of a capacity crowd in the
Oracle Cinema at the Base. 87 could not race that day due to Luna Rossa
crashing into us, so for the first time four sailors were able to join in the
presentation to our VIP guests: (from left) Rodney Daniel (AUS), Tony Kolb
(GER), Julien Cressant (FRA) and David "Brookie" Brooke (NZL).


87 does a "fly by" MY Alcor, of one of our four VIP guest boats during
Act 12. On this day, while waiting for enough wind to race Luna Rossa,
"sail by" may be a bit more appropriate. Regardless, most guests report
a terrific day before, during and after being on the water. Most are
newcomers to AC racing, and it is our pleasure to help expose so many
new people to our sport.


The catamaran SY Mundo Marino was also one of our VIP spectator
boats during 2006. The cat is popular as a spectator boat, especially
with our families and friends, for the more relaxed "kid-friendly"
atmosphere and outgoing staff.

Rod Dawson (NZL, weather and sailing teams) and Kazuhiko Sofuku (JPN, sailing team) are members of the most successful match racing team in the history of the sport -- Peter Gilmour's PST.

They had already clinched the 2005-06 World Tour with their win last month at Match Race Germany, and with it the ISAF World Match Racing Championship title. Yesterday they won the eighth and final stage of the Tour -- the fifth annual Locman Cup – Elba Island Cup at Poroto Azzurro on Elba Island, Italy.

Overall on the 05-06 Tour PST earned nearly $120,000 in prize money, plus a new BMW X3 and gold medals from ISAF.

The 2006-07 Tour gets underway tomorrow with the Portugal Match Cup in Cascais, Portugal where our Skipper/CEO Chris Dickson also will be racing joined by Fuku and other saling team members Zach Hurst (NZL), Paul Westlake (AUS) and Jann Neergaard (DEN).

BMW is the World Tour Partner and Official Car.


Staffan Lindberg’s bowman Carl-Johan Uckelstam is dragged from a
spinnaker sheet after falling overboard in the semifinal round of the
Locman Cup-Elba Island. (World Tour/Guido Cantini photo.)


Mascalzone's Cameron Dunn keeps his spinnaker full and sails out from
under Finland's Staffan Lindberg in the Petite Final of the Locman Cup.
(World Tour/Guido Cantini photo.)


The PST crew (Christian Scherrer, Kazuhiko Sofuku, Rod Dawson, skipper
Peter Gilmour and Yasuhiro Yaji), winners of a BMW X3 for winning the
World Tour championship. (World Tour/Guido Cantini photo.)