[Source: Oracle Team USA] ORACLE TEAM USA announces a change to its proposed winter training plans in New Zealand.
ORACLE TEAM USA has been working with the management of Northport and the community of Marsden Point on plans for a temporary base in New Zealand’s North Island. Instead, the America’s Cup champion will continue to keep its activities focused in the U.S.
The change of plans reflects a recent change in emphasis in the boat testing and development cycle and means that the U.S. rather than New Zealand will be used for the winter program.
“Successful America’s Cup campaigns are made from constantly reassessing a team’s priorities and evolving your development plans within a finite time frame,” said General Manager Grant Simmer.
“Extending our summer and fall training session in San Francisco effectively closed the New Zealand window. The management at Northport and community at Marsden Point have been extremely helpful and welcoming. The merits of Marsden Point as a sailing venue have not changed; it is only our priorities that have changed,” added Simmer.
ORACLE TEAM USA is currently training and testing with AC45 wingsail catamarans on San Francisco Bay ahead of the America’s Cup World Series events in August and October, as well as preparing for the launch in August of its first AC72.
James Spithill and the rest of the Oracle Team USA team will carry out their training in San Francisco instead of New Zealand. Photo copyright guilain Grenier / Oracle Team USA