(BMW-Oracle Racing photo)
The BMW-Oracle Racing trimaran, built in Anacortes, won the America's Cup in the second race in the best of 3 series in Valencia Spain. The BMW-Oracle boat finished more thana 5 minutes ahead of the Swiss-based Alinghi. This win brings the America's Cup back to America for the first time in years.
This was an historic race for the oldest trophy in international sport, featuring two of the most innovative boats on the planet. BMW Oracle Racing’s trimaran, USA, powered by the largest wing sail ever built, proved to be the faster of the two multihulls, overpowering Alinghi’s catamaran in both races.
Larry Ellison, owner of the BMW-Oracle Racing boat, said "it is absolutely an assume feeling." “I’m really proud to be part of this team. I couldn’t be more proud.”
Today marks the culmination of the San Francisco team’s 10-year quest for the America’s Cup, sailing’s pinnacle event. Founded by Larry Ellison, the team is led by CEO Russell Coutts, now a four time Cup winner, and James Spithill, the skipper and helmsman of USA.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” said Spithill. “The amount of work the whole team has put into this boat and now to go two races without any issues – you just have to hand it to the shore guys, the boatbuilders and all of the support team and designers. They gave us an awesome tool.”
Two great racing teams have taken two phenomenal boats, and run two races that will affect sailboat designs for decades to come, and team BMW Oracle is victorious.
View The Big Picture of the team after the win.