For a long time, it was rumoured when and how Peter Gilmour would return to the America's Cup. The 45-year-old Australian is one of the great personalities of the sailing scene. He has been involved in five syndicates and has been successful on the Swedish Match Race Tour for many years. A week ago, he regained the lead in the match race world rankings. Now he has confirmed rumours that he is working on his own AC team.
The "New Straits Times" in Kuala Lumpur reports that Gilmour is preparing an AC project in Malaysia. The news is not unlikely, however, as Gilmour organised the Monsoon Cup match race at the beginning of the month after a long period of preparation and ultimately won spectacularly in the final against Russell Coutts. Close contacts have been established.
Gilmour is quoted as saying: "The Monsoon Cup has put Malaysia on the world sailing map. The people have shown that they can organise such an event within four months. Malaysia is ready to take on the Americas Cup challenge together with international partners."
The "New Straits Times" even writes about the planned budget of 110 million euros. It is astonishing that Gilmour is talking about a possible partnership with Russell Coutts. "I'm sure Russell will be very interested in working with Malaysia. He likes challenges and new opportunities." That doesn't sound like he's seriously spoken to Coutts, though.
The news from Malaysia does not come as a complete surprise. A syndicate called C7 was already on the verge of registering for the current Cup. But Christine and Derek Condell, who were behind the activities, then announced shortly before the registration deadline that time was running out to secure the budget. Incidentally, both are Australian, which suggests a relationship with their compatriot Gilmour.
The British have also already announced that they want to be back at the next but one Cup after Peter Harrison failed to make it for 2007. The "Times" in London has reported that a group of leading British businessmen are planning to invest 15 million euros in order to look for further sponsors on this basis.
A new piece of bad news for the current Cup: The Swedes are the only team not to have sent a representative to the Challenger Meeting in San Francisco. Another indication of problems at Victory Challenge?
