BOATING NEWS
28 Asia-Pacific Boating March/April 2015 Asia-Pacific Boating March/April 2015 29BERMUDA TO HOST
AMERICA’S CUP IN 2017,
WORLD SERIES IN 2015
Bermuda has been chosen over San Diego to host the fi nal stages of the
America’s Cup in 2017. Th e Caribbean island will also host the America’s
Cup World Series – a racing circuit featuring the best sailors in the world
competing on foiling, wing-sailed catamarans – in October 2015.
Th e America’s Cup World Series is the fi rst stage of competition in
the 35th America’s Cup and begins in the summer of 2015. Featuring
all of the America’s Cup teams racing in one design AC45 catamarans,
the circuit is an early opportunity to put points on the board that carry
forward into the next stage of the competition.
Overall ranking position in the America’s Cup World Series
determines the starting points score of the teams in the America’s Cup
Qualifi ers in 2017.
“We’re delighted to be able to announce Bermuda will host the
America’s Cup teams from October 16-18, 2015,” says Bermuda’s Premier,
the Honourable Michael Dunkley, JP, MP. “Th e waters of Bermuda are
ideal for racing, as anyone who has sailed here can attest. We’re very
excited to have our island be a part of the next America’s Cup and to
have an opportunity to showcase our maritime heritage and fi rst class
hospitality to the America’s Cup teams.”
“Our team is working very hard to bring the America’s Cup to
Bermuda and we are truly delighted to have the America’s Cup World
Series here next year,” says the Honourable Grant Gibbons, Minister of
Education and Economic Development and Bermuda’s America’s Cup
Team Leader. “Given our history of sailing, our focus on the maritime
environment and the engagement of our entire community, we are going
to make this a very special event.”
Racing in the America’s Cup World Series - Bermuda will take place
on Th e Great Sound, while the team bases and public race village will be
located on the waterfront in the heart of the capital, Hamilton.
“When we started to look at Bermuda as a potential venue for
2017, it quickly became apparent that it would be an ideal location
for an America’s Cup World Series event, regardless of the fi nal venue
decision,” says Harvey Schiller, the Commercial Commissioner of the
35th America’s Cup. “Th e racing conditions are good for the AC45s,
the logistics are in place, and the island is renowned for its hospitality
and its capabilities at putting together professional events. It’s a good
fi t for us.”
Bermuda is celebrated in the international sailing community as the
fi nish port for the Newport-Bermuda race, which will celebrate its 50th
edition during its next running in 2016, and for the Bermuda Gold Cup,
the oldest one-design match racing event in the world that dates back
to 1937.
Current America’s Cup skippers Ben Ainslie (2009, 2010) and Jimmy
Spithill (2005) have both won the Bermuda Gold Cup, while Russell
Coutts holds a record seven titles.
Now, the island will host the main event and one of the opening
stages in the competition for the oldest trophy in international sport –
the America’s Cup.
http://www.americascup.comPHOTO: BERMUDA TOURISMPHOTO: BERMUDA TOURISMPHOTO: BERMUDA TOURISMPHOTOS: ROLAND SKINNERRoyal Huisman says that expansion of its
infrastructure will be the prime focus, as
Doeksen Shipyard Holding, led by Royal
Doeksen, becomes a key shareholder.
Th e decision refl ects the yard’s growing
order book – with more and even larger
new build and refi t projects – as well as the
inevitable need for succession planning in a
family-owned business.
Royal Doeksen is a complementary fi t
for Royal Huisman. In addition to its Royal
warrants, both companies are Dutch family-
owned businesses with a long and successful
track record in the marine industry, a common
understanding of the nature of ship building
and an appreciation of the special long-term
client relationships that are pivotal to success in
custom yacht building.
Royal Huisman CEO Alice Huisman
will continue in her current role as a
valued shareholder and will be joined on the
board by Royal Doeksen Managing Director
Jan Willem Doeksen.
Th ere will be total continuity of the current management and
operational teams.
“Given the increasing level of investment necessary to maintain
a leading custom yard such as Royal Huisman, we recognised that
we had arrived at the right time to seek a suitable partner,” says
Huisman. “Th ere will be some exciting developments showcasing our
expansion plans, not least our goal to establish a deep-water facility
in a Dutch coastal location. Th ese plans will enable us to achieve further
successful growth of our already healthy order book for both new-build
and refi t projects.”
“Another important consideration has been succession planning,”
adds Huisman. “For the fi rst time in fi ve generations there was no
family heir of the necessary age and experience to lead a business of this
scale to the next stage. I strongly believe that, as owners of the company
today, my family and I owe it to our forefathers, to our team, and
to present and future clients to ensure an orderly succession of this
remarkable organisation.”ROYAL HUISMAN WELCOMES NEW SHAREHOLDER
ROYAL DOEKSEN
Doeksen Shipyard Holding is investing in the Huisman holding
company, whose operations include Royal Huisman Shipyard, its refi t
programme Huisfi t, and Rondal, the high-end manufacturer of custom
masts and components for the superyacht industry. Rondal is a semi-
autonomous operation with its own facilities, clients and brand, and will
continue as such.
“We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to partner with
Royal Huisman, a true industry leader and a company with a great
reputation,” says Doeksen. “We are fully committed to the culture, values
and quality standards of the Royal Huisman brand and its focus on
innovation and sustainability. We hope to work together to expand the
capabilities and reach of this world-renowned custom yard. It is a great
privilege for all of us on the Doeksen team to join forces with another true
family company.”
Th e completion of the transaction is subject to mandatory anti-trust
clearances and other customary conditions.
http://www.royalhuisman.com
http://www.royaldoekson.comPHOTOS: HANS WESTERINK)028-029 News_Industry.indd All Pages 07/03/15 1:06 pm