unconfirmed report of cor per the nyt

[aA]

hamilton island yc - queensland, aus



http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/27/sp...ef=sports&_r=0

[Photoboy]

Australia’s Hamilton Island Yacht Club Confirmed as Challenger of Record for 35th AC

Australia’s Hamilton Island Yacht Club Confirmed as
Challenger of Record for 35th America’s Cup

San Francisco (September 30,2013) – Hamilton Island Yacht Club (HIYC), located
on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Australia, has challenged for the
35th America’s Cup. HIYC’s challenge has been accepted by the Golden Gate Yacht
Club, which remains the Defender and Trustee of the world’s oldest international
sporting trophy after its team, ORACLE TEAM USA owned by Larry Ellison, won
the 34th America’s Cup in San Francisco last Wednesday.

For the past three decades HIYC has run Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, which has
become the largest annual regatta in Australia with some 200 offshore yachts
competing in recent years.

HIYC is led by Australian winemaker and sailing legend Bob Oatley, whose
succession of yachts named Wild Oats have dominated ocean racing in Australia for
years, including having won six of the last eight Sydney-Hobart races. An Australian
team led by Mr. Oatley won the last Admiral’s Cup, widely regarded as the world’s
top prize in ocean racing.

The challenge was filed by Mr. Oatley and his son, Sandy, on behalf of HIYC shortly
after ORACLE TEAM USA won the thrilling deciding final race in the 34th
America’s Cup against Emirates Team New Zealand on San Francisco Bay on
September 25th
.
“We are delighted to have Hamilton Island Yacht Club and the Oatley’s leading
Australia back into the America’s Cup for the first time since 2000,” said GGYC Vice
Commodore and America’s Cup liaison Tom Ehman. “Hamilton Island’s challenge
was filed on the day Australia was celebrating the 30th anniversary of Australia II’s
historic win in the 1983 America’s Cup off Newport, RI, which ended New York
Yacht Club’s 132-year reign as the Cup’s defender.”

“Given Australia’s previous success in the America’s Cup, the Admiral’s Cup and
Olympic yachting, and as proud Australians, we think it is time for our nation to be
back in our sport’s pinnacle event,” Mr. Oatley said. “The recently completed
America’s Cup in San Francisco has revolutionized the sport for sailors and fans, and
we were excited to see how many Australians played key roles on the teams and in the Page 2 of 2

Vice Commodore Ehman added, “The dates, type of boat, format and rules are subject
to negotiation between the Challenger of Record and Defender following consultation
with prospective challengers, venues, sponsors and other stakeholders. Both Clubs are
keen to have multiple challengers, as has been the norm since 1970, and to cut
campaign costs for all teams. But first we must determine the venue, which, under the
America’s Cup Deed of Gift, is decided by the Defender.”

GGYC and HIYC expect to have a Protocol Governing the 35th America’s Cup,
including dates, venue, boats and other details, agreed and published in the first few
months of 2014.