Bayrische Automobilwerke is ending its long-standing partnership with Oracle Racing at the end of the year and will no longer be represented in the America's Cup. Both partners have agreed on this, according to a statement.
The sponsor with probably the biggest financial commitment is pulling out of the top event to date. BMW had been a sponsor of billionaire Larry Ellison's team since 2002 and won the Cup in February 2010 in a duel against Alinghi. BMW's technology transfer, particularly in the areas of structural engineering and high-modulus composite constructions, was also a decisive factor in this victory.
"In terms of design and engineering, BMW technicians have set new standards in terms of intelligent lightweight construction, says Ralf Hussmann, Head of BMW Sports Marketing and Cooperations. With the triumph at the 33rd Americas Cup, we have achieved all our ambitious goals. We will continue to be associated with sailing at national level, i.e. the BMW Sailing Cup.
The Americas Cup combines a technological with a sporting challenge and success can be measured by the results on the water, says Russel Coutts, CEO of BMW Oracle Racing. With this in mind, both the team and BMW can be proud that our collaboration has led to victory.
The decision to end the collaboration was apparently also made due to the uncertain future of the Cup. After all, if, as is assumed, the Cup is sailed in America, this is actually the sales market that has always been desired. However, the fact that BMW is now pulling out can only mean that the group does not consider the marketing potential to be sufficient.
Another reason is probably to be found on the sporting side. This is because there is still a lack of really high-calibre entries. This is why Oracle Racing is considered the sure winner due to its advantage in knowledge and experience with wing-sailed multihulls. There is a great risk that there will be no exciting and close races and that the sporting part will become a farce.
