Volvo Ocean Race boss shock resignation tantalises ahead of America's Cup protocol announcement
Volvo Ocean Race boss shock resignation tantalises ahead of Americas Cup protocol announcement .
Visionary Volvo Ocean Race CEO Mark Turner is stepping down.
The shock resignation of Volvo Ocean Race CEO Mark Turner has speculation mounting that he will have a role in the next Americas Cup.
Round the world race management announced that the 2019-20 version has been put on hold and that Turner will step aside once a replacement has been found.
Turners surprising withdrawal comes as the protocol for the next Americas Cup is unveiled at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in Auckland, at 10am on Friday.
Team New Zealand will unveil the protocol for the next Americas Cup in Auckland on Friday.
Turner, regarded as a visionary who was the brains behind the successful Extreme Sailing Series.
would fit an Americas Cup taking on a new direction when it is staged in Auckland in 2021 after Emirates Team New Zealand won back the Auld Mug from Oracle Team USA in Bermuda last June.
Turner, who has increased the Southern Ocean legs and encouraged increased involvement of female sailors in the next version of the Volvo which starts on October 22.
had looked to turn the global odyssey into a two-year affair and was looking to introduce foiling monohulls to the 2019-20 version.
Hi-tech monohulls will feature in the next Americas Cup as Team New Zealand break away from the multi-hulls that have been used in the last three Cups.
The details of the protocol will be fascinating as they outline the framework to be used in Auckland.
The regatta will need a new race director after the well-respected Iain Murray, who handled the job in San Francisco and Bermuda, chose to take up the position as performance director for Australian Sailing, overseeing their Olympic programme.
Could Britains Turner be the new man for the Cup?.
There could be other avenues for his involvement in the next Cup where China are tipped to ramp up Asian presence and there is talk of a second British challenge alongside Ben Ainslie Racing.
Waterside talk also suggests a return by the New York Yacht Club who held the trophy from 1870 till 1983.
But there are also whispers that Swedens Artemis Racing might not be in Auckland, frustrated at the change of direction in design after pouring millions in research and development into the catamaran class.
The finer details of the actual boat for Auckland 2021 wont be revealed until the end of November.
But a broad concept is likely to be explained when Team New Zealand and Challenger of Record Luna Rossa reveal the massive protocol document that lays down the rules of competition.
Interest will centre on the nationality rules that Team New Zealand have promised to strengthen.
What percentage of the sailing crew and whether they require birth or residency claims will be crucial to teams looking to enter.
Similarly the construction of the boats will be more stringent around where their major components are built.
The rules in Bermuda required basically only the bows to come from the country of origin.
Another key will be the number of boats allowed for each team – challengers in Bermuda were only allowed one – and how much scope is allowed for design after the one-design elements dominated much of the catamarans in Bermuda.
The regatta format is likely to return to its traditional challengers and defender format after the Kiwis expressed shock at Oracle Team USAs groundbreaking decision to allow themselves to race with the challengers in Bermuda.
The course details for Auckland could also be unveiled as they will impact on the sort of boat required.
Team New Zealand have already indicated there will be lead-up regattas in 2019 and 2020 with Italy certain to be one of the destinations given Luna Rossas key involvement.
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