Monday, October 18, 2010

BMW ORACLE Racing's James Spithill wins RC 44 Worlds (Image)

BMW ORACLE Racing team skipper James Spithill, guest helmsman Anders Myralf of Denmark and the crew of the yacht 17 today were crowned champions of the inaugural RC 44 World Championship for the Islas Canarias Puerto Calero Cup.

Crédit : Gilles Martin-Raget

The overall victory wrapped up a banner week for Spithill, which saw him win the match racing portion of the regatta and also be named Australian Male Sailor of the Year by Yachting Australia for skippering the winner of the 33rd America’s Cup in February.

Crédit : Gilles Martin-Raget

"It finally feels like I’m getting the monkey off my back," said Spithill, 31. "It’s been a real struggle, to be honest. It would’ve been easy to walk away from this project, but the fact we hung in there and kept working at it and finally got the result, it feels good to come back from that."

Crédit : Gilles Martin-Raget

Close on Spithill’s heels was team CEO Russell Coutts aboard the yacht BMW ORACLE Racing. With guest helmsman Jose Juan Calero, an organizer of this event, at the wheel, BMW ORACLE Racing won the fleet racing portion of the regatta and placed second overall.

Crédit : Gilles Martin-Raget

"I’m reasonably happy. We would’ve liked to win overall today, but winning the fleet and taking second overall isn’t too bad," said Coutts. "Jose Juan did a good job driving. The conditions were tricky, but he did well."

From BMW Oracle