 Wysłany: Czw 5:25, 12 Gru 2013 Temat postu: Louis Vuitton sails back into Cup spotlight |
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| Louis Vuitton sails back into Cup spotlight
Don't Miss:Cal's top grad is a teenKey childabuse rulingABC's new showsHartlaub's amazing W's ticket blunder'Most Beautiful Woman' noms49ersRaidersGiantsA'sWarriorsSharksQuakesNFLMLBNBANHLCollegePrepsGolfOutdoorsOtherOn TVTicketsShopVideoMoviesMusic NightlifePerformanceArtEventsBooksTV RadioHoroscopeComicsGamesThings To DoHome GardenStyleOutdoorsSki SnowHealthGreenLGBTHouzzDatingMomsPetsSponsored ContentIn the fashion world, is all about the latest runway collections and the hottest handbags. The sailing world also follows the company closely because of its longtime association with racing, especially with the America's Cup. It also hosts its own prestigious competitions, including the Louis Vuitton Trophy Dubai, which ends today in this city ringed by camels, dunes and home to the world's tallest building. As word spread throughout the Dubai Marina that Vuitton CEO would make an announcement with America's Chairman and BMW Oracle CEO , speculation was rampant about whether the luxury house might restore its relationship with the America's Cup. The association began in 1983 when a French sailing champion named helped engineer the official challenger trials (called the Louis Vuitton Cup). For 27 years, the company's involvement extended beyond sponsorship to all aspects of race management, widely credited for building the international participation and modern success of the world's oldest international trophy. Deed of Gift matchThen in 2007, the company pulled out of the tumultuous 33rd America's Cup,[url=http://www.sport.fr/economie/airmax.html]air max pas cher[/url], citing differences over the commercial approach with the then Swiss holder of the Cup. Ultimately no challenger series happened during that America's Cup, which, under order of the went straight to a socalled Deed of Gift match in Valencia in February won by a BMW Oracle/ trimaran against a Swiss catamaran. "We are very proud and excited to renew our core organization of the Louis Vuitton Cup," said a smiling and debonair Carcelle, "to celebrate the 30 years of America's Cup challenger competition." Troubl still the architect of Louis Vuitton's sailing program and spokesperson explained the company's decision to embrace the race once again: "The relationship with the Swiss was bad. This time we have an excellent relationship with all the teams." Vuitton is a bridge between old and new, Troubl said, gazing out over the modern race village and centuryold wooden sailing dhows (traditional Arab sailboats) perched along the Persian Gulf. "We helped develop this event, respecting tradition. But the footage was getting to be a bit of the same. We like the new boats, the wing sail, the new image for the America's Cup. What we like is a mix of history and new technology." This competition is the last in the company's series of America's Cupstyle match races in 85footlong ACclass boats. Six of the world's top sailing teams came here to show their stuff and claim the trophy. Three are already official contenders for the next America's Cup: BMW Oracle Racing (USA), Mascalzone Latino (Italy), and Artemis (Sweden). The other three are actively planning to enter. They are The winner was unknown at press time, but after two weeks of battle, the America's Cup champion BMW Oracle Racing of Golden Gate Yacht Club dominated the field. BMW Oracle's rebirthIt was a resurrection of sorts for BMW Oracle, which had been dogged by grumblings that they had won the America's Cup through litigation and better technology only to come in second to last in the Louis Vuitton Trophy races held in June in La Maddalena, Italy. Mainsail trimmer said the team was a bit rusty, but after putting quite a bit of effort in over the summer, "it's paying off. It feels really good to be back on again." Now all eyes are on San Francisco and the new catamarans planned for America's Cup competition. The city hopes to hold one of the preliminary races next year and in 2012, as well as the final America's Cup match in 2013. While a competing venue in Italy is apparently ready to agree on hosting, San Francisco remains the top choice for the teams and Louis Vuitton. However, the city can't be chosen unless it agrees to do so, and teams are getting anxious. They need to know the venue to secure financial backing, apply to race and get going. Niners fans might appreciate the difficulty of running a football team but not knowing where the game will be played. America's Cup organizers have set a Dec. 31 deadline for a decision. "Nonannouncement of the venue is killing us," griped , head of Emirates Team New Zealand. , CEO of the scrappy All4One team concurs: "We've got a major sponsor who is willing to back our team, but only if it's in San Francisco." Kandler needs to win the sponsorship and then press America's Cup organizers to go further to reduce costs. Attractive for sponsorsHow much does it cost? Certainly not more than the previous Cups, even with the new catamarans planned. Kandler says a small team could compete for less than $40 million per year but projects All4One will continue spending about $100 million per year, internationally, or a bit more than the San Francisco Giants budget. San Francisco may not be a cheap place to run a race, but the United States is a wellspring of media attention, audience, and excitement critical for attracting sponsors, so Kandler and others see San Francisco as the highestpaying bet. While the America's Cup is frequently referred to as a contest for billionaires, that's not generally true these days. All the teams here use professional players and depend on corporate backing just like the San Francisco Giants, 49ers or Warriors. And what about the boats raced here? There's a boatpacking celebration Sunday to toast the close of their 20year history. Afterward, they will be sold, donated or destroyed. |
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