[Source: Team Origin] TEAMORIGIN, the yacht racing team established by Sir Keith Mills, and skippered by triple Olympic Gold Medallist, Ben Ainslie, announced today that it will not be challenging for the next America’s Cup scheduled for 2013.

The team, which was set up in 2007, has been waiting for three years to enter the America’s Cup, which was delayed when the US team, BMW ORACLE Racing, took the Swiss team, Alinghi, through the US courts. The US team won the court battle and won the 33rd America’s Cup Match to become the America’s Cup Defender in February this year. The new US Defender has recently announced the format for the next America’s Cup, including the rules and type of boat to be raced. TEAMORIGIN has also been briefed by the Defender and has made numerous comments on both the regatta rules and class rule.

Having now had a chance to analyse the race format, the proposed fixed wing catamaran boat, the timetable, rules and costs, Sir Keith has concluded that the 34th America’s Cup is neither viable commercially, nor an attractive sporting contest for TEAMORIGIN. Therefore he has decided that the team will not submit a challenge when the challenge period opens on 1 November.

Sir Keith Mills, TEAMORIGIN Team Principal, “After three years of waiting in the wings to enter a British team in the America’s Cup I am bitterly disappointed that we will not be competing. However, the format and timetable decided by the Defender, BMW/Oracle, is simply not viable for TEAMORIGIN. We have assembled an outstanding team, led by Grant Simmer and Ben Ainslie, and I am personally very sorry that they won’t now get the chance to race for a British team in the next America’s Cup”.

Over the next couple of months TEAMORIGIN will be considering whether it will compete in other yachting events over the next few years.

[Source: AUDI Medcup] Light to moderate breezes, overcast skies and humid late summer temperatures gave the ten 52 Series teams which took to the waters off Cagliari, Sardinia a good work out in the lower reaches of the wind range but most teams will be looking forward to a diet of stronger winds for this Region of Sardinia Trophy, such as this venue has delivered on all three previous occasions.

But for this key finale of the 2010 Audi MedCup Circuit all bases need to be covered, all weather possibilities prepared for.

So today’s reconnaissance practice racing, a refresher for many of the 52 Series teams who have been here before, may have been a head-scratcher at times with some big wind shifts, but it is all valuable experience as the countdown to Monday’s 52 Series Practice Race, and Tuesday’s regatta racing, ticks away.

There is still plenty for teams to gain, and to prove. Britain’s TeamOrigin are keen to finish their debut season on the Audi MedCup Circuit on a high note but also face up to a tussle with world champions, Alberto Roemmers’ (ARG) Matador (ARG) for the third step on the season’s podium.

It’s very light and shifty in the first day of TP52 training. Cagliari, 18 September 2010. Photo ocpyright Ainoa Sanchez / AUDI Medcup

It is the British 52 Series team’s first visit to Cagliari. Double gold medal winner Iain Percy’s last visit to these waters, he admitted with a wry grin today was 17 years ago, when his four times Olympic medal winning skipper Ben Ainslie won his first Laser Radial European title at the same regatta.

The absence of Melges 24 World title winner Lorenzo Brassani means that the helm of Luna Rossa (ITA) has been handed to Trieste’s young Alberto Bolzan (ITA) who steered Pisco Sour at some regattas last season.

With Sunday also offering free practice, the winds look to be a little stronger for the final informal warm up.

Ashore, the Audi MedCup Public Village opened at 1100hrs this morning and has been the focal point of the day, going through to this evening’s reggae band Zaman who kick off a full week of musical entertainment into each evening. Tomorrow it is the Rocket Queens.

This evening, with all of the 52 Series boats assembled pristine and race ready, the Audi MedCup Public Village opens the pontoons to public for visitors to see these high tech machines up close.

The Audi MedCup Public Village is open each day with free access from 1100 to 2100hrs.

Quotes of the day:

Iain Percy (GBR), tactician of TeamOrigin (GBR): “It’s my first time back here for, I think, I’m embarrassed to say, 17 years. So I realized how old I was, I did the Laser European championships here when I was very young. But it was great out there today, the sea-breeze was almost wanting to come in, and then went, and then came in again. But the racing I think can be really fun. Overall I think of all the cities we’ve been to this season have all been really fantastic. This place has such a nice feel, and it feels good with where we are. We’re looking forward to this last event. But it’s funny you never quite know what the conditions are going to be. It can surprise even what you think yourself is going to happen.”

Francesco Bruni (ITA), tactician of Matador (ARG): “Today conditions where funny by usual Cagliari standards. Winds here are usually pretty constant, either sea breeze or mistral are the main wind directions. But today we’ve had a mix of both of them with 40 to 50 degrees shifts in two minutes. We’ve played the role of race committee today on the water, so to speak, and it’s been difficult. The clouds we’re not helping the wind settle. Seven or eight boats ‘raced’, the rest were practicing on their own.”

[Source: AUDI Medcup] Light to moderate breezes, overcast skies and humid late summer temperatures gave the ten 52 Series teams which took to the waters off Cagliari, Sardinia a good work out in the lower reaches of the wind range but most teams will be looking forward to a diet of stronger winds for this Region of Sardinia Trophy, such as this venue has delivered on all three previous occasions.

But for this key finale of the 2010 Audi MedCup Circuit all bases need to be covered, all weather possibilities prepared for.

So today’s reconnaissance practice racing, a refresher for many of the 52 Series teams who have been here before, may have been a head-scratcher at times with some big wind shifts, but it is all valuable experience as the countdown to Monday’s 52 Series Practice Race, and Tuesday’s regatta racing, ticks away.

There is still plenty for teams to gain, and to prove. Britain’s TeamOrigin are keen to finish their debut season on the Audi MedCup Circuit on a high note but also face up to a tussle with world champions, Alberto Roemmers’ (ARG) Matador (ARG) for the third step on the season’s podium.

It’s very light and shifty in the first day of TP52 training. Cagliari, 18 September 2010. Photo ocpyright Ainoa Sanchez / AUDI Medcup

It is the British 52 Series team’s first visit to Cagliari. Double gold medal winner Iain Percy’s last visit to these waters, he admitted with a wry grin today was 17 years ago, when his four times Olympic medal winning skipper Ben Ainslie won his first Laser Radial European title at the same regatta.

The absence of Melges 24 World title winner Lorenzo Brassani means that the helm of Luna Rossa (ITA) has been handed to Trieste’s young Alberto Bolzan (ITA) who steered Pisco Sour at some regattas last season.

With Sunday also offering free practice, the winds look to be a little stronger for the final informal warm up.

Ashore, the Audi MedCup Public Village opened at 1100hrs this morning and has been the focal point of the day, going through to this evening’s reggae band Zaman who kick off a full week of musical entertainment into each evening. Tomorrow it is the Rocket Queens.

This evening, with all of the 52 Series boats assembled pristine and race ready, the Audi MedCup Public Village opens the pontoons to public for visitors to see these high tech machines up close.

The Audi MedCup Public Village is open each day with free access from 1100 to 2100hrs.

Quotes of the day:

Iain Percy (GBR), tactician of TeamOrigin (GBR): “It’s my first time back here for, I think, I’m embarrassed to say, 17 years. So I realized how old I was, I did the Laser European championships here when I was very young. But it was great out there today, the sea-breeze was almost wanting to come in, and then went, and then came in again. But the racing I think can be really fun. Overall I think of all the cities we’ve been to this season have all been really fantastic. This place has such a nice feel, and it feels good with where we are. We’re looking forward to this last event. But it’s funny you never quite know what the conditions are going to be. It can surprise even what you think yourself is going to happen.”

Francesco Bruni (ITA), tactician of Matador (ARG): “Today conditions where funny by usual Cagliari standards. Winds here are usually pretty constant, either sea breeze or mistral are the main wind directions. But today we’ve had a mix of both of them with 40 to 50 degrees shifts in two minutes. We’ve played the role of race committee today on the water, so to speak, and it’s been difficult. The clouds we’re not helping the wind settle. Seven or eight boats ‘raced’, the rest were practicing on their own.”

[Source: TEAMORIGIN] TEAMORIGIN issued the following statement following the publication of the 34thAmerica’s Cup Protocol and the information presented at the America’s Cup Press Conference in Valencia.

Grant Simmer, CEO of TEAMORIGIN, gave his comments today:
“The whole America’s Cup community has been waiting a long time to get solid information on the 34th America’s Cup, and so today is a positive day for TEAMORIGIN and all prospective teams. The Protocol and the announcements give us many important pieces of information, much of it we heard for the first time today. Furthermore the Defender commented at the press conference, that we will be receiving more important information over the coming months.”

“2013 is the year of the next Cup. We now know that for sure. There were a lot of new elements published today and a lot of changes have been made to the first Protocol draft published in June. For instance designers are able to work for more than one team, which is an interesting and significant change from past Cups. We will now review the new Protocol document and associated information to see if this matches our expectations, and we look forward to meeting the Defender with the other prospective challengers, to discuss the many detailed questions that today’s Protocol has inevitably brought to light.”

Sir Keith Mills, TEAMORIGIN Team Principal, added his thoughts :
“Larry Ellison and Russell Coutts promised Challengers:
- A level playing field – giving teams a fair chance of winning
- Neutral event management – to ensure the event was not controlled by one team
- Cost containment – to prevent an arms race

We now need to study the new Protocol document and determine whether it matches these promises. TEAMORIGIN will only challenge if the 34th America’s Cup is fair and neutrally managed. “

[Source: TEAMORIGIN] TEAMORIGIN issued the following statement following the publication of the 34thAmerica’s Cup Protocol and the information presented at the America’s Cup Press Conference in Valencia.

Grant Simmer, CEO of TEAMORIGIN, gave his comments today:
“The whole America’s Cup community has been waiting a long time to get solid information on the 34th America’s Cup, and so today is a positive day for TEAMORIGIN and all prospective teams. The Protocol and the announcements give us many important pieces of information, much of it we heard for the first time today. Furthermore the Defender commented at the press conference, that we will be receiving more important information over the coming months.”

“2013 is the year of the next Cup. We now know that for sure. There were a lot of new elements published today and a lot of changes have been made to the first Protocol draft published in June. For instance designers are able to work for more than one team, which is an interesting and significant change from past Cups. We will now review the new Protocol document and associated information to see if this matches our expectations, and we look forward to meeting the Defender with the other prospective challengers, to discuss the many detailed questions that today’s Protocol has inevitably brought to light.”

Sir Keith Mills, TEAMORIGIN Team Principal, added his thoughts :
“Larry Ellison and Russell Coutts promised Challengers:
- A level playing field – giving teams a fair chance of winning
- Neutral event management – to ensure the event was not controlled by one team
- Cost containment – to prevent an arms race

We now need to study the new Protocol document and determine whether it matches these promises. TEAMORIGIN will only challenge if the 34th America’s Cup is fair and neutrally managed. “

The second race of the day took place under slightly lighter conditions and with a definite bias on the committee boat end of the start line. According to Paul Cayard, the right hand side of the course was very favored upwind due to the Easterly flowing current offshore. The committee did not bias the line to the left so the fleet was bunched up at the committee boat end of the line at the starts. In fact, the start was the key for Team Origin’s great race and the overall lead.

Ben Ainslie helmed the British TP52 yacht to a clean start, with good speed ahead of the fleet. Team Origin was again the first boat to get to the very favored right side and rounded the first weather mark first, ahead of Synergy and Emirates Team New Zealand. A combination of excellent tactics, boat handling and boat speed allowed Team Origin to keep the lead to the finish line. The top three spots would have remained unchanged if it weren’t for a badly executed gybe on Synergy in the last run that put the New Zealanders ahead of the Russians.

Caja Mediterráneo Region of Murcia Trophy – Day 1
1. TeamOrigin (GBR), 3+1= 4 points
2. Matador (ARG), 1+4= 5
3. Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), 4+2= 6
4. Luna Rossa (ITA), 2+7= 9
5. Synergy (RUS), 8+3= 11
6. Artemis (SWE), 5+6= 11
7. Quantum Racing (USA), 9+5= 14
8. Audi A1 powered by ALL4ONE (FRA/GER), 6+8= 14
9. Bribón (ESP), 7+11= 18
10. Bigamist 7 (POR), 11+9= 20
11. Cristabella (GBR), 10+10= 20

Start of the second race of the day and it’s a very good one for Team Origin. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Bribón find themselves at the wrong side of the committee boat. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Team Origin lead the fleet in the first beat of the second race. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Team Origin lead the fleet at the first weather mark. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Synergy and Emirates Team NZ follow at the first weather mark. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Quantum had another mediocre beat, rounding the top mark in eighth place. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Team Origin extend their lead in the first run. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Team Origin round the leeward gate in first place, ahead of Synergy. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Probably the day’s funniest incident took place when a furious cargo ship went streaming right in the middle of the course when the fleet was halfway through the second beat. Fortunately, it didn’t affect the race. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Start of last run. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

It ain’t over till it’s over. Emirates Team NZ steal second place from Synergy after a badly executed gybe on the Russian boat. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The Italian brainpower duo Bruni-Vascotto worked magic on Matador in the opening race of the Cartagena Trophy. According to Francesco Bruni, tactician on the Argentinean boat, the key in the first race was to have a clear start and be the first boat to tack to the right and this is exactly what they did.

They were ahead at the top mark, in front of Emirates Team New Zealand and Team Origin, something that was not easy at all, according to Bruni. Despite the pressure by the New Zealanders and the Brits, the crew on Matador was confident of their tactics until they saw the kiwis gybe first in the first run. Bruni commented they feared Team New Zealand had seen something they couldn’t see but decided to stick on to their plan. Not only did they stay ahead of the fleet, the move cost the New Zealanders two places at the leeward gate.

From that point Matador was able to further stretch their advantage and cross the finish line with a comfortable lead. Without any doubt, the recovery story of the race was on Luna Rossa. The Italians were eighth at the first weather mark but the decision to opt for the left in the first run rewarded them, allowing them to finish second. Team Origin held on to third place, putting the first stone for the overall lead.

Start of the day’s 1st race. Not a brilliant start for Matador but still it gave them the opportunity to be the first boat to tack. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The Italian brainpower on Matador opts for the right side in the first beat. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Matador leads the fleet in the first weather mark. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Matador leads the fleet in the first run but the story of the leg was the incredible recovery by Luna Rossa. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa round the leeward gate in second place. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Follow the leader… Matador has increased its lead in the last run. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The first race has been an awful experience for Quantum that rounded the second top mark ninth. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Team Origin finishes third ahead of Emirates Team New Zealand. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The Italian brainpower duo Bruni-Vascotto worked magic on Matador in the opening race of the Cartagena Trophy. According to Francesco Bruni, tactician on the Argentinean boat, the key in the first race was to have a clear start and be the first boat to tack to the right and this is exactly what they did.

They were ahead at the top mark, in front of Emirates Team New Zealand and Team Origin, something that was not easy at all, according to Bruni. Despite the pressure by the New Zealanders and the Brits, the crew on Matador was confident of their tactics until they saw the kiwis gybe first in the first run. Bruni commented they feared Team New Zealand had seen something they couldn’t see but decided to stick on to their plan. Not only did they stay ahead of the fleet, the move cost the New Zealanders two places at the leeward gate.

From that point Matador was able to further stretch their advantage and cross the finish line with a comfortable lead. Without any doubt, the recovery story of the race was on Luna Rossa. The Italians were eighth at the first weather mark but the decision to opt for the left in the first run rewarded them, allowing them to finish second. Team Origin held on to third place, putting the first stone for the overall lead.

Start of the day’s 1st race. Not a brilliant start for Matador but still it gave them the opportunity to be the first boat to tack. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The Italian brainpower on Matador opts for the right side in the first beat. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Matador leads the fleet in the first weather mark. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Matador leads the fleet in the first run but the story of the leg was the incredible recovery by Luna Rossa. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa round the leeward gate in second place. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Follow the leader… Matador has increased its lead in the last run. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The first race has been an awful experience for Quantum that rounded the second top mark ninth. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Team Origin finishes third ahead of Emirates Team New Zealand. Cartagena, 25 August 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing