Sir Russell Coutts

Jan 3rd 2010
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Greetings yachties,

As we prepare for the biggest show down in yachting in February, Valencia, Spain 2010 a little background info on the worlds highest profile yachtie from New Zealand, Sir Russell Coutts.

Enjoy

Russell Coutts facebook page here & here

website here

Arise, Sir Russell

Sir Russell Coutts (NZL) from
the BMWOracle Racing file

The extraordinary thing about Sir Russell Coutts (NZL) is how low key he has been throughout the entire debacle of America’s Cup 33.

Literally.

Dismissed as Alinghi CEO by Ernesto Bertarelli (SUI) prior to AC32, Sir Russell was ultimately hired by Larry Ellison (USA), and helped rebuild BMWOracle after the team’s AC32 disappointments under Kiwi CEO and Skipper Chris Dickson (NZL).

Sir Russell skirted controversy, avoided controversy, and every time controversy emerged, moved on to other topics, other issues, other events, other races. Deftly. Very deftly.

Which is what you expect from chief executives who know how to use their power.

Sir Russell certainly has power, has influence, and is a major factor for BMWOracle. Now he is leading the offense.

Despite his corporate coolness, Sir Russell’s ambitions must be focused not just on winning, but on destroying – in the nicest possible way.

more here

Russell Coutts talks to international press watch here

Valencia Sailing

Ask Russell Coutts your questions

BMW Oracle are organizing their first 33rd America’s Cup press conference in their base in Valencia, one month exactly before the start of the match. Russell Coutts, CEO of the America’s Cup challenger, will inform journalists about the latest developments in his team and the Cup and he’ll be joined by Manolo Ruiz de Elvira and Joseph Ozanne, members of the design team.

Do you have any questions you would like them to answer? Just leave a comment on this post.

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Sir Peter Snell, Sir Russell Coutts and Sir Colin Meads, Russell has indeed done well and enjoyed his yachting career.

From wikipedia

Russell Coutts

Gold Los Angeles 1984 Finn Class

Sir Russell Coutts, KNZM, CBE (born 1 March 1962 in Wellington New Zealand) is a competitive sailor who is considered by many to be the best sailor in the world. His achievements include a Gold medal in the Finn Class in the 1984 Olympic Games, winning the America’s Cup three times, the ISAF World Youth championships, three World Match Racing Championships, numerous international match race wins and IOR, IMS and One Design World Championship victories.

In New Zealand he has been honoured with a Commander of the Order of the British Empire and the Knight Companion of New Zealand Order of Merit and has twice been the International Yacht Racing Union’s World Sailor of the Year. He holds an impressive record in the America’s Cup, with 14 wins and no losses since 1995 winning three consecutive America’s Cups (1995, 2000, 2003) (in 1992 he sustained two losses before being replaced as helmsman.) These achievements have led commentators to refer to him as “Mr. America’s Cup”, a title previously held by America’s Cup legend Dennis Conner. Conner is also made comment of calling Coutts the world’s greatest America’s Cup skipper in 2003 in Auckland at the America’s Cup ball.

In 2005, he designed – together with Slovenian designer Andrej Justin – a new boat called the RC 44; a high performance one design racer created for top level racing in international regattas under strictly controlled Class Rules. The concept and the design features of the RC 44 are dedicated to the amateur helmsmen racing in fleet racing sailing events.

In July 2007, Coutts was named CEO and Skipper of BMW Oracle Racing, the only American Challenger to the 2010 America’s Cup. He has been involved in subsequent litigation between the Golden Gate Yacht Club and Société Nautique de Genève (SNG) regarding the 33rd America’s Cup. SNG’s team is Alinghi.

Sailing career

* 1981 – ISAF World Youth Champion / 1st
* 1984 – Olympic Games / Los Angeles / Finn Class / Gold Medal
* 1992 – World Champion / Match Racing
* 1993 – World Champion / Match Racing
- Admiral’s Cup / “Pinta” / 1st
* 1994 – World Champion / Match Racing
* 1995 – America’s Cup / Skipper of BlackMagic / San Diego / Winner (37 victories, 1 loss)
* 1996 – World Champion / Match Racing
* 2000 – America’s Cup / Team New Zealand / Auckland / Winner (5 to 0)
* 2001 – World Champion / 12 metre JI / Cowes
- World Champion / Farr 40 / Southampton, UK
* 2003 – Louis Vuitton Cup / Class America / Alinghi / Auckland / 1st
- America’s Cup / Alinghi / Auckland / Winner (5 to 0)
* 2006 – Bol d’Or Rolex / Decision 35 / Team Banque Gonet / Switzerland / 1st
- World Champion / Farr 40 / Vincenzo Onorato Team / Newport, U.S.
* 2007 – World Champion / TP 52 / Team Artemis
* 2008 – Cagliari RC 44 Cup, Match Racing / RC 44 / BMW ORACLE Racing / Cagliari, Italy / 1st
- TP 52 Audi MedCup / TP 52 / Team USA 17 / 1st
- Malcesine SLAM Cup, Match Racing / RC 44 / BMW ORACLE Racing / Malcesine, Italy / 1st

Russell Coutts in 1984

Love or hate him, no one can challenge Russell Coutts’ standing as one of yachting’s greats. Some go even further, claiming he is the greatest the sport has seen and he is now the most successful skipper in the 152-year history of the America’s Cup.
Coutts took that mantle from Charlie Barr, who had a 9-0 winning sequence in three contests from 1899 to 1903.

more here

Awards

* 1984 – New Zealand Yachtsman of the Year
* 1985 – Member of the British Empire, MBE
* 1994 – Silbernes Lorbeerblatt, German National Award
* 1995 – Commander of the British Empire, CBE
* 1995 – Sperry World Sailor of the Year
* 1995 – Halberg Award
* 1995 – ISAF World Sailor of the Year Award
* 1996 – America’s Cup Hall of Fame
* 1996 – World Trophy for Oceania
* 2000 – Distinguished Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit
* 2003 – ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year Award

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America’s Cup Going to Court in a Battle of the Billionaires

By CHRISTOPHER CLAREY

The Golden Gate Yacht Club has filed suit in a New York court in an attempt to void the Swiss-based Alinghi team’s agreement to make Desafío Español its new challenger of record.
July 25, 2007
MORE ON RUSSELL COUTTS AND: SUITS AND LITIGATION, AMERICA’S CUP, BOATS AND BOATING, SAILBOATS AND SAILING, ELLISON, LARRY, BERTARELLI, ERNESTO

Kiwis Earn Cup Rematch Against Their Top Rival

By CHRISTOPHER CLAREY

Emirates Team New Zealand will now have a chance to sail for the America’s Cup against Alinghi, the Swiss syndicate that raided the Kiwis’ talent and pried the trophy away in 2003.
June 7, 2007
MORE ON RUSSELL COUTTS AND: LOUIS VUITTON CUP, AMERICA’S CUP, BOATS AND BOATING, VALENCIA (SPAIN), PRADA, DALTON, GRANT, BARKER, DEAN

YACHT RACING; New Zealand Sees America’s Cup Taken Away by One of Its Own
By WARREN ST. JOHN

Swiss team Alinghi, skippered by former New Zealand sailor Russell Coutts, wins America’s Cup, sweeping team New Zealand, 5-0, and prompting many New Zealand fans to see Coutts as ‘traitor’; photos
March 3, 2003
MORE ON RUSSELL COUTTS AND: AMERICA’S CUP, BOATS AND BOATING, NEW ZEALAND, SWITZERLAND, ST JOHN, WARREN

YACHT RACING; Switzerland Completes America’s Cup Sweep
By WARREN ST. JOHN

Swiss team Alinghi wins America’s Cup by defeating New Zealand, 5-0, sweeping five-of-nine race and ousting defending champions; Alinghi skipper Russell Coutts gets 14th consecutive victory as skipper and sets record; photo
March 2, 2003
MORE ON RUSSELL COUTTS AND: RECORDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS, AMERICA’S CUP, BOATS AND BOATING, NEW ZEALAND, SWITZERLAND, ST JOHN, WARREN

YACHT RACING; New Zealand Is All Abuzz About the Cup
By WARREN ST. JOHN

Team New Zealand skipper Dean Barker prepares for America’s Cup, where he will face former New Zealand skipper Russell Coutts and Swiss team Alinghi; photo
February 13, 2003
MORE ON RUSSELL COUTTS AND: AMERICA’S CUP, BOATS AND BOATING, NEW ZEALAND, SWITZERLAND, ST JOHN, WARREN, BARKER, RUSSELL

YACHT RACING; Kiwis Give Their Side Of Messy Breakup
By WARREN ST. JOHN

Team New Zealand prepares to defend America’s Cup title and face Swiss team Alinghi, now skippered by former New Zealand leader Russell Coutts
February 6, 2003
MORE ON RUSSELL COUTTS AND: AMERICA’S CUP, BOATS AND BOATING, NEW ZEALAND, SWITZERLAND, ST JOHN, WARREN

YACHT RACING; New Zealanders Explain Why They Left to Sail for Swiss
By WARREN ST. JOHN

Swiss team Alinghi skipper Russell Coutts and tactician Brad Butterworth discuss reasons behind leaving team New Zealand for Alinghi as two teams prepare to face off in America’s Cup
February 1, 2003
MORE ON RUSSELL COUTTS AND: AMERICA’S CUP, BOATS AND BOATING, NEW ZEALAND, SWITZERLAND, BUTTERWORTH, BRAD, ST JOHN, WARREN

YACHT RACING; New Zealand Cries Betrayal As Skipper Races for Swiss
By MIKE WISE WITH WARREN ST. JOHN

New Zealanders feel betrayed by defection of 2000 America’s Cup skipper Russell Coutts, who has accepted $5 million offer to become skipper of Swiss boat, taking half of Team New Zealand’s crew with him; Coutts is readying his sleek and well-equipped yacht Alinghi for Louis Vuitton Cup challenger final on Jan 11; he needs five victories against last remaining American boat, Oracle, to advance to Cup finals against New Zealand; if Alinghi wins Cup, New Zealanders lose world’s oldest sporting tro…
January 10, 2003
MORE ON RUSSELL COUTTS AND: AMERICA’S CUP, BOATS AND BOATING, NEW ZEALAND, SWITZERLAND, ST JOHN, WARREN

BackTalk; Coutts Represents a Landlocked Nation, Hoping to Beat His Old Team on the Sea
By CHRISTOPHER CLAREY

Christopher Clarey BackTalk column discusses Russell Coutts, New Zealand’s former skipper and winner of last America’s Cup race, who now hopes to lead Swiss startup team Alinghi to victory; photo
October 13, 2002
MORE ON RUSSELL COUTTS AND: AMERICA’S CUP, BOATS AND BOATING, NEW ZEALAND, SWITZERLAND

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140 videos here

Russell Coutts chats to Sue Pelling about his life outside the America’s Cup 8/2/07

Not being involved in the America’s Cup this time round has given Russell Coutts – three times America’s Cup skipper – an opportunity to explore other areas of sailing that he would not otherwise have been involved in. He even found time last week to compete in the Omega Four-man Sailors on Ice bobsleigh championship in St Moritz – definitely something he wouldn’t have considered had he been in an ACC team see previous news story here .

But one of the most significant events on Coutts’ agenda right now is tomorrow’s announcement in Portugal of a major, new international sailing event – a joint venture between himself and Paul Cayard. Coutts was fairly tight-lipped about the plans of this event but rumour has it, the new venture is a series of world circuit events for 60ft multihulls. We’ll bring you more news on that tomorrow.

A relaxed Coutts was keen to chat about the other areas of sailing that he’s passionate about including the TP52 class and, not surprisingly, his own design – the RC44. Coutts has been sailing the TP52 for a Swedish owner for two years now, and this year they’ll be launching their new boat, which is currently in build at the Cookson yard in New Zealand.

So what attracts arguably the world’s best sailor to the TP52 class? Coutts says it’s all about development in sailing in general, commenting: “I think the TP52 class has been an excellent step for sailing by encouraging owners into more high performance boats. The TP52s are great fun to sail. These owners love it and love the feel of sailing a more high performance boat. I think you are seeing a change in sailing. Look at the mega yachts, look at the look of them today compared to 10 years ago. I think the sport needed to change and some of the rules we raced under needed to change. These box rules and one-design rules are great. People these days haven’t got a lot of time to work on their boats, 20, 30, 40 years ago people allocated time to that, now people don’t have time, they work hard and just want to go sailing and have fun. That’s more what people are demanding these days.”

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Russell Coutts Responds to Ernesto Bertarelli Decision to Dismiss

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, July 27 /PRNewswire/ — Russell Coutts said today that he had been surprised by Ernesto Bertarelli’s decision to abruptly terminate his contract today.

“I was surprised to receive a brief phone call from Ernesto Bertarelli’s lawyers this evening which was apparently immediately followed by a media release issued by Mr Bertarelli’s staff,” Russell Coutts said.

“The facts are that some time ago I had made it very clear to Ernesto Bertarelli that I had some very real concerns about aspects of his management style and the direction of the team.

“These concerns were based on my experience as a skipper and in a leadership role in my last three America’s Cup campaigns. They centred on aspects of management that I had found in my own leadership experience to be successful.

“In the course of working with him, I was surprised that Ernesto Bertarelli repeatedly made it clear he wanted to depart from our previously agreed commitments.

“Most seriously, I was concerned at the impact of this management style not just on my contract, but on the wider America’s Cup event. I found the role he increasingly insisted I occupy in the syndicate was at considerable variance with the one we had discussed — at length — during and since the last America’s Cup campaign.

“This and other issues were clear breaches of the contract I had entered into with him.

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Encyclopædia Britannica

Russell Coutts; New Zealand yachtsman who led his country’s team to its first America’s Cup victory in 1995.

Coutts won his first regatta at age nine, steering a 2.13-metre (7-foot) wooden dinghy off the windy coast of Dunedin, South Island. Nine years later he became the single-handed world youth champion, and in 1984 he won an Olympic gold medal in the Finn class. He was with the national team when it finished third in the 1992 America’s Cup challenge, but the next year he was rated the number one match racer in the world. In the 1990s he compiled an extraordinary series of international victories, including the Nippon Cup, the Bermuda Cup, and the World Match Racing championships, along with the 1995 America’s Cup.

On his 38th birthday, March 1, 2000, in the America’s Cup sailing competition, Coutts tied a 97-year-old record when he skippered Team New Zealand to its ninth straight winning race with him at the helm. The first five consecutive wins had come when he was leading New Zealand’s stunning sweep of the United States in 1995, his country’s first America’s Cup triumph and only the second America’s Cup victory by a non-U.S. team. His four victories in 2000 were over the Italian Prada team in its sleek yacht Luna Rossa and came in the defenders’ home waters off New Zealand’s North Island. Coutts and his team easily overcame the Italians’ fast starts, but he waited until the fourth race to introduce a secret weapon—a new, light “code zero” headsail, designed for light winds. He appeared poised to lead the yacht Black Magic to the first-ever America’s Cup defense by non-Americans, but, instead of setting a personal record, Coutts had another surprise for the sailing world. In the fifth race of the best-five-of-nine series, he yielded command of the Black Magic to his backup helmsman, 26-year-old Dean Barker, who rose to the challenge by leading the crew to a comfortable 48-second win. Afterward Barker credited Coutts with the victory: “All the hard work’s been done by Russell.”

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