2007
America's Cup - Sausalito Yacht Club And Sweeney
May Have Future
(Source: Chuck Lantz - www.2007ac.com)
The
following was a reply to an inquiry from our San
Francisco Correspondent Chuck Lantz....
I
have just returned from meetings in New Zealand
and Australia with top sailors and designers.
The trip yielded a healthy dose of reality of
what teams are facing this time to compete. Its
clear that other than the big two (Oracle and
Alinghi), there may be only one or two other mega
teams possible if at all. After looking at the
options of what we already have in place in San
Francisco, it seems logical to take the Sausalito
Yacht Club America's Cup Challenge to the next
level.
From
here we plan to assemble a Board of Directors
and work along the lines of setting up a team
that will train in San Francisco. We have set
out to obtain a modest budget of $40-50 Million
Euros from one or two individuals and a sole sponsor.
Our base will be Treasure Island where the Challenge
Series is currently set up. We are working on
securing two new generation yachts and plan to
build one new AC yacht for the 2007 America's
Cup. We hope to have two yachts training in San
Francisco by late summer 2004.
I
will update you on any news that is of value.
I plan to have the key Board Members in place
by mid March. Yes, its a long shot, but the rumor
that was started has really opened some options.
Lets make it a reality. Look for a homepage soon
for the SYC Challenge.
John
Sweeney
www.challenge-series.com
