Speed
Teams from 10 nations battle on the waves for America’s Cup 2007. First-time entrants to this spectacular billion-dollar competition have planned their campaigns like startup companies.
Experienced personnel are scarce. With 12 teams from 10 countries, the America’s Cup in 2007 will have the most participants in the race’s 154-year history. Twelve syndicates from ten countries, among them first-time teams from Africa, China and Germany, will sail to the starting line for the 32nd America’s Cup competition. By the time the finals start in 2007, the teams will have had to prove themselves in a number of preliminary regattas.
The competition is an almost 2-billion-dollar-business that functions much like auto racing’s Formula 1 - the same types of teams, marketing and sponsors. Public attention is guaranteed because the America’s Cup has become a global media event. During the 2003 Cup competition, hundreds of television stations from all around the world dedicated almost 3000 hours of broadcasting time to the race. And this time, millions of people will follow the regatta as well. They are fascinated by a sport that stands for time-honored values such as teamwork, honesty and innovation.
Companies view the high-tech boats as ideal advertising media and lavish large amounts of money on their teams. Among the most important financiers is the Swiss biotech billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli. It is estimated that the budget for his team, Alinghi, will run to more than $100 million for its defense of the Cup in the 2007 cycle of competition. As the last Cup winner, the Swiss team was permitted to choose the site for their title defense.
Experienced personnel are scarce. With 12 teams from 10 countries, the America’s Cup in 2007 will have the most participants in the race’s 154-year history. Twelve syndicates from ten countries, among them first-time teams from Africa, China and Germany, will sail to the starting line for the 32nd America’s Cup competition. By the time the finals start in 2007, the teams will have had to prove themselves in a number of preliminary regattas.
The competition is an almost 2-billion-dollar-business that functions much like auto racing’s Formula 1 - the same types of teams, marketing and sponsors. Public attention is guaranteed because the America’s Cup has become a global media event. During the 2003 Cup competition, hundreds of television stations from all around the world dedicated almost 3000 hours of broadcasting time to the race. And this time, millions of people will follow the regatta as well. They are fascinated by a sport that stands for time-honored values such as teamwork, honesty and innovation.
Companies view the high-tech boats as ideal advertising media and lavish large amounts of money on their teams. Among the most important financiers is the Swiss biotech billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli. It is estimated that the budget for his team, Alinghi, will run to more than $100 million for its defense of the Cup in the 2007 cycle of competition. As the last Cup winner, the Swiss team was permitted to choose the site for their title defense.
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They selected Valencia, Spain, in particular because of its favorable winds. The port city, which has long felt neglected by the central government in Madrid, was elated by the decision. Not only does the America’s Cup ensure worldwide publicity, but increased revenue as well. The race is a real economic factor.
The sailing event almost started without a German entry. Willi Kuhweide, Commodore of the German Challenger Yacht Club, submitted all the necessary documentation at the very last moment. The participation of the United Internet Team Germany was prepared according to a precise business plan - initially without sponsors, but with that much more élan and daring.
Jesper Bank, a Dane who is one of the world’s top professional sailors, was charged with recruiting a strong crew for the startup team. What does the America’s Cup mean to him? “Doing everything to perfection all at once: organization, management, development, sailors, sponsors,” he says. “It’s an enormous undertaking.” And Roland Berger Strategy Consultants supports the planning of this undertaking all the way, concentrating particularly on organizational tasks and project management.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us:
The sailing event almost started without a German entry. Willi Kuhweide, Commodore of the German Challenger Yacht Club, submitted all the necessary documentation at the very last moment. The participation of the United Internet Team Germany was prepared according to a precise business plan - initially without sponsors, but with that much more élan and daring.
Jesper Bank, a Dane who is one of the world’s top professional sailors, was charged with recruiting a strong crew for the startup team. What does the America’s Cup mean to him? “Doing everything to perfection all at once: organization, management, development, sailors, sponsors,” he says. “It’s an enormous undertaking.” And Roland Berger Strategy Consultants supports the planning of this undertaking all the way, concentrating particularly on organizational tasks and project management.
If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to contact us:
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