- Three Australian teams are trying to be there (12/17/03)
  (source : Cheryl on 2003ac Forums)

Over the weekend Martin Tasker (TVNZ) reported that of the three potential Australian challengers, two had made enquiries about leasing NZL-60 and NZL-57 from Team NZ. If the challenges go ahead the syndicates are interested in training and working their campaigns up from the Viaduct Harbour in Auckland.

One of them should be the project representing the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron which is henceforth named "C7 Syndicate" (like the Australian sports channels Seven Network's C7 ?). Kristine Condell, C7 syndicate CEO, said the team will not make a final decision either way on the bid until March 1, 2004.

"We needed to treat this as if we were going to do a fund raiser for a merger or an acquisition and that’s exactly how we started out", she said. "We put budgets together, feasibility studies – created what I believe is a credible business plan. And from there we’ve started talking to sailors and designers."

On the other hand, it was not disclosed if the second one is the Destremau's Ozboyz Challenge, the only official candidate so far. Or a third project which could be the new team evoked by Syd Fisher (who has organised teams for the past five challenger series).

 
- Fischer hooked by new rules for Auld Mug (03/06/03)
  (source : Smh.com.au)
Cost-cutting measures announced for Alinghi's 2007 America's Cup defence in Europe have encouraged veteran yachtsman Syd Fischer to resume Australia's assault on the Auld Mug.

Fischer said yesterday he was "looking at" organising an Australian challenge after the Alinghi syndicate revealed a new format designed to encourage more challengers for the world's oldest sporting trophy.

Fischer, who has organised teams for the past five challenger series, said the changes all but guaranteed Australia would launch another bid.

"I am looking at it. I'm looking at what's happening", he said. "I mean I don't particularly want to do the whole thing myself - I would be part of a syndicate if we can get a credible one together."

John Bertrand, the skipper of Australia II who took the cup from the New York Yacht Club in 1983, said organising a syndicate would still come down to money - and lots of it. "It's not going to come down to the technology or the quality of people we have available, it will be financial - as we say, no cash, no splash," he said.

Despite the new changes, Bertrand said it would cost more to mount an Australian challenge in Europe.

"It will be even more expensive, so it won't be an event for the weak-hearted," he said, adding that it would cost at least $150 million for an Australian syndicate "to do it properly".