Jimmy Spithill will seek an America’s Cup treble with Oracle Team USA, sticking with the team he led from the brink of defeat to triumph on San Francisco Bay last year.
Oracle announced on Monday that the 34-year-old Australian had re-signed with the team, turning down other offers to continue to work with billionaire team owner Larry Ellison and chief executive Russell Coutts.
“There were some very good offers out there, but at the end of the day, Russell and Larry, I wouldn’t be here without them,” Spithill said.
Spithill is already the youngest skipper to lead a team to victory in yachting’s venerable America’s Cup.
He was just 30 when he guided Oracle to the win in 2010. In the 34th edition of the event last September, he oversaw Oracle’s remarkable rally, with the US team winning the last eight races against Emirates Team New Zealand to retain the coveted Cup.
“Being a part of the team when we first won in 2010 and then to be able to get back to back wins and now to have an opportunity at a third, it’s been an amazing ride. I feel fortunate to have been a part of it since day one and I’m looking forward to going at it again,” Spithill said.
Australian winemaker Bob Oatley’s Hamilton Island Yacht Club has been formally announced as the Challenger of Record to Oracle Team USA for the 35th America’s Cup.
Being the Challenger of Record means Hamilton Island has the right to work with Cup holders Golden Gate Yacht Club and set the laws of the next regatta, while representing all other challengers in dealings with Oracle Team USA.
New Zealand have indicated they will be back for another challenge and British sailor Ben Ainslie, who served as a tactician for Oracle last year, has indicated he would like to get a British syndicate together to challenge in the next edition.
