Yachts & Yachting — February 2018

HARRY KH/LAND ROVER BAR; NICO MARTINEZ/MARTINEZ STUDIO

developments in technology or rule

changes. We saw the class rules change

in the last Cup (when the boats changed

from 65 to 50 footers) and that’s

something we’ve got to be prepared for.

In this Protocol the Defender can change

just about anything so long as it’s in

mutual agreement with the Challenger

of Record. As a ‘standard’ competitor

outside of that we are quite vulnerable,

so we need to be able to adapt.”

e degree to which Challengers

will be consulted in this Cup as yet

remains unclear, so while awaiting

the publication of the ocial Class

Rule, expected on or before 31 March,

Ainslie’s priority has been to consolidate

his core team. “For now, personnel

are givens that we can work on until

they set the nal class rules. We can’t

dene a strategy yet beyond that as

the goal posts continue to move.”

In November, Grant Simmer was

appointed CEO, with Martin Whitmarsh

moving on from that position to take

on an advisory role but to also head

up BAR Technologies, the commercial

arm of the team’s technical programme.

Simmer has 10 America’s Cup campaigns

(including four wins) under his belt

in sailor, designer and managerial

capacities. It’s a unique skill set, and

Ainslie is condent in the move, saying:

“Grant brings a wealth of experience

to the team; he brings a great mentality

and mindset towards the Cup.” e new

recruit’s remit includes responsibility for

the sporting and performance aspects of

the campaign, working alongside Ainslie.

FIRST OFF THE LINE

Moving goal posts aside, Ainslie sees

an early start as imperative for success

this time around. While 2021 may seem

a long way o, he’s acutely aware of the

phenomenal amount of R&D, testing

and training that the new 75 foiling

monohulls will demand. at makes

the timescales involved suddenly very

tight indeed, particularly as the rst

of the two boats permitted per team

will be able to launch in a little over a

year’s time. Along the way, he’s aiming

to make Land Rover BAR the most

sustainable sports team in the world.

Entries ocially opened on 1 January,

but the British Challenger will rst be

seeking to agree ner details regarding

the class of boat and conditions of entry

with ETNZ before ocially entering.

Commitment to back the campaign for

a second cycle has already been secured

from title sponsor, Land Rover, including

additional engineering resource; backing

from private sponsors ensured the team

was able to operate in the interim period

until the Protocol was announced. Other

backers have pledged continued support

(including 11th Hour Racing and Coutts)

and negotiations are ongoing with a

number of potential new sponsors.

Above

Ainslie teaming

up with Tony

Langley (right)

We can’t define a strategy yet beyond

that as the goal posts continue to move

30 Yachts & Yachting February 2018 yachtsandyachting.co.uk

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