Tuesday evening was the annual prizewinners' dinner at the Royal Thames Yacht Club in Knightsbridge, London. Earlier this year RTYC partnered with BMW UK-Ireland for support of their racing and training programs, and by all accounts the relationship has been very successful.

The invitation to dinner read "black tie, no medals" -- good thing because about the only medals I have are from 7th grade band camp. A very nice evening with a number of long-time UK sailing friends present, including former ISAF Vice President Robin Aisher and his wife Val, Newport friends Tim and Kathy Herring, event promoter Gavia Wilkinson-Cox, and Dr Frank Newton. Frank's son, Tim Newton, was test team manager for the BMW Williams F1 team, and sailed as 18th man with BMW ORACLE Racing during a training session in Valencia this year.

RTYC member Hugh Agnew won the prize for outstanding contribution to the sport and the Club. Coincidentally, we had met Hugh at Malmo during Acts 6 and 7 where his beautiful motor yacht Rum Jungle was in use as one of our VIP spectator boats, bringing BMW guests across from Copenhagen and then around the race course each day.

Jim O'Donnell, managing director of BMW UK-Ireland, led a small group of BMW guests who enjoyed the dinner and awards presentation. Also present was Peter Walker, the BMW UK sports marketing head who oversees the Royal Thames partnership with Malcolm McKeag, RTYC's Chief Sailing Officer.

After dinner I spoke briefly to a rapt audience of nearly 200 members and guests on "What's New for 32" and updating them on developments and progress within BMW ORACLE Racing. As we found in the USA during the Yacht Club Tour, so far in the UK there has not been a lot of coverage AC 32 -- but there is no shortage of interest. Those assembled were particularly pleased to hear about the number of Brits spread among the twelve AC32 teams, including BMWOR team members Saskia Green (operations), Dave Le Pelley (design), Jon Williams (shore) and Graeme Winn (design).

At noon on Wedensday, BMW hosted a luncheon for key Brit media at which we updated them on the same topics. The video that Gary Jobson produced for the USA YC Tour was shown and much appreciated by those in attendance. We also announced that we were now preparing to enter the construction phase for the first of our two new ACC yachts. The press release issued later that day by our marketing team is posted on our main team website.

Yachting World's online editor, Sue Pelling, was among those present Wednesday. Last evening Sue posted a nice story about the Wednesday luncheon and our yacht construction project and team in Anacortes, WA. Other stories no doubt will follow.

A successful and pleasant conclusion to a long and at times hectic "roadshow" trip.


RTYC accepting a BMWOR half-model (from left): RTYC Chief Sailing
Officer Malcom McKeag, prizewinner Hugh Agnew, BMW UK-Ireland
chief Jim O'Donnell, RTYC Vice Commodore John Stork, BMWOR's
Tom Ehman, RTYC "Cup Bearer" and UK yachting icon Robin Aisher.


Wednesday's media luncheon in RTYC's elegant Edinburgh Room.
Veteran AC journalist from the UK, Stuart Alexander (second from
left) said with typical British understatement, "It was a civilized
gathering." At the head of the table is Peter Walker, BMW UK-Ireland
sports marketing chief, who hosted the superb luncheon.


The new M6 looking pretty sharp outside the entrance to the Club,
which is situated in the posh Knightsbridge shopping district. Congrats
to the Club and BMW on the realistic and successful way the partner-
ship has developed this year.