BMW Splits from Oracle After Huge America's Cup Win

by David Kiley (RSS feed)
Dec 29th 2010 at 7:02AM

America's Cup champion BMW Oracle Racing says German automaker BMW is ending its sponsorship at the end of the year.

BMW has been part of the syndicate since 2002, contributing in the areas of structural engineering and lightweight, composite construction.

BMW Oracle Racing swept Alinghi of Switzerland in two races in February to win the America's Cup, the oldest trophy in international sports. Its radical trimaran design was the fastest boat in the history of the America's Cup.

BMW Oracle Racing is owned by Larry Ellison, CEO of business software maker Oracle Corp.

The reason for the break? BMW is said by sources to want to separate from technology partner Oracle over business issues.
The BMW-Oracle team won the America's Cup in February with a convincing 2-0 victory.

"In winning the 33rd America's Cup, we achieved all of our ambitious goals," said Ralf Hussmann, general manager BMW sports marketing. "We will continue to be involved in the sport on a national level."

Tags: Americas Cup, BMW Oracle Racing, sailing, yachts

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Geocur3971 Jan 1st 2011 4:12PM

The Deed of Gift of the NY Yacht Club does NOT forsee, and thus does not PERMIT, the use of multi-hulled boats in this wonderful, old and respected sailboat combat. Not catamarans, and certainly not trimarans. The boat, and the Germans who did it, are illegitimate, and I soundly condemn ALL of the recent races in which these boats were used, whether American or European. Conventional and dull? Yep, I guess I am.

Sheila O'Connor Jan 1st 2011 1:25PM

I wrote an article about it here with photos: www.examiner.com/top-news-in-san-francisco/sf-confirmed-to-host-next-america-s-cup

DominatrixRose Jan 7th 2011 9:52PM

I do beleive the group holding "the Cup" can make changes just as Mr.Conners did while it (the cup) was in San Deigo. Now good sportmanship would have all sailing with the same hauls something Conners choose to sadly ignore. I am so thrilled to have the Cup back where it is cherished and sad to read BMW is pulling out now. I was so looking forward to wearing the combined team hat during the races. Also hoping ESPN makes this race so everyone without cable can watch and see how wonderful this race truly is!!!!!