If you haven't read the book "The Billionaire and the Mechanic" by Julian Guthrie, you should check it out. It's basically a history of Larry Ellison and his goal to win the America's Cup. Good read.

Next AC in Hawaii? http://m.bizjournals.com/pacific/blog/2014/01/americas-cup-holder-says-next-event.html?r=full&goback=%2Egde_2634393_member_5832422013813157891#%21

Now that would be interesting.

Unlikely...not much of a theater for crowds (or, at least, people to make the "crowds"). It would be more expensive to house teams, boats, and facilities and would be more expensive for people to come watch. It's more likely that it's being presented as a negotiating tactic so Oracle can fabricate some leverage with San Francisco.

Larry owns an island in Hawaii, Lanai. I wouldn't sell the idea short.

Until they crashed their boat OTUSA planned to set up a winter training base at Kaumalapau Harbor on the west side of Lanai. Their practice area would have been twelve miles out to avoid the humpbacks that populate the area in the winter.

It wouldn't be surprising to see them start winter practice in 2015 on Lanai. Larry's already got crew housing (two Four Seasons hotels) and his 200 foot boat he lives on when he's in the area.

Jimmy Spithill returns to Oracle for 35th America's Cup

more here.

Writing the Rule - Pete Melvin talks about the next Cup boat

“We are looking at concepts that are similar to the AC72 - a foiling cat with wingsail. The consensus from teams is that this was a good concept and we want a smaller version in the 60 to 65 foot range."

"Sail-World's NZ Editor, Richard Gladwell talks with Pete Melvin (USA) previous World A-Class World Champion, leading multihull designer and one of the developers of the America's Cup Class rule for the 34th and 35th America's Cups.

In this long (20 minute) interview, Pete Melvin covers the developments in the A-Class over the past few years, the advent and issues with foiling, and then changes to the America's Cup design and rule issues, including the approaches taken with the new rule for the 35th America's Cup expected to be announced in mid-March 2014."

Oracle's design team for the 35th AC

Paul Bieker (USA), Dimitri Despierres (FRA), Len Imas (USA), Hal Youngren (USA), Aaron Perry (USA), Bryan Baker (USA), Juan Vila (ESP), Scott Ferguson (USA), Christoph Erbelding (GER), Thomas Hahn (GER), Steven Roberts (FRA), Jose Luis Vela (ESP), Tom Speer (USA), Eric Jolley (USA), Andrew Gaynor (USA), Ian Burns (AUS), JB Braun (USA), Kurt Jordan (USA)

VIDEO - Paul Henry drills Dean Barker regarding Grant Dalton

SF lost $11.5 million hosting the event last year

A wrap-up economic impact study by the Bay Area Council Economic Institute released in December found that the event created 2,863 jobs, down from original projections of 8,840 jobs. That study also found that the event, which stretched over roughly three months, generated at least $364 million in total economic impact. That figure rises to more than $550 million if the long-planned construction of a new cruise ship terminal, which the regatta served as a catalyst to finally get built, is factored in.

more on selecting San Francisco

"To bring the America's Cup back to San Francisco, Coutts' Oracle Team USA wants the city to pony up the cost of the venues, the police security and the utility connections, just like last time. The city wants Oracle CEO Larry Ellison to pay those expenses, thus reducing taxpayer exposure. We'll let those discussions unfold at City Hall. But I wouldn't bet against Ellison. He tends to win these things. And if he doesn't, he'll take his sailboats and go play elsewhere. Hawaii and San Diego are two top alternatives. "

Protocol and Class Rule expected in March

“An overriding theme of both documents is an effort to reduce costs and increase media exposure, so that teams can provide a better return to their sponsors for significantly less money than was required last time.”

ORACLE TEAM USA to open spring training in Australia

"The team has scheduled practice against Team Australia, representing the Hamilton Island Yacht Club, the Challenger of Record for the 35th America’s Cup."

San Diego is known to the world kite boarding community, as
one of the Lightest wind places in the world.
IF
these fast Cat's were to race there, then the low wind side
of that technology would get further developed. It's
something that i personally would be very Happy about.Anyone
can go fast when the wind is Blowing hard, try it when
there's only 10-12Kts of wind available, (the Norm in SD) !!

I lived and did Hang gliding in SD for 20 years, the place is
not so good for steady-strong wind. After Kiting at Mohave
for 10 years, i couldn't even GO kite boarding
in San Diego because the aria on my equipment was too small
and i didn't have correct technique for light wind kiting
even if i had borrowed the correct size kite for the wind.

SO -- SD would open up the, "Wind-Range" for these foiling cats.



Bille

What would the GGYC opening an office on Maui indicate?

Why would Larry want to move it from SF Bay (the perfect wind place in my opinion) to...

Anywhere else?

Unless of course, there was MONEY involved.

Hmmm...

Video of Team Australia practicing in their new (to them) AC45:

Hamilton Island Yacht Club sets sail on the Australian challenge for the 35th America's Cup

"Belcher, the 2013 Rolex ISAF World Sailor of Year, Olympic Champion, five-time World 470 Champion and quadruple 2013 ISAF Sailing World Cup Winner, will lead Team Australia’s first training sessions on iconic Sydney Harbour from March to June 2014 with Oracle Team USA. Team Australia will use the training sessions to rotate a number of crew through the boat, introducing them to the AC45 catamaran, as they race against Oracle Team USA."