The organizers of the 34th America’s Cup came calling, and Fraser Yachts responded. The brokerage and charter house was approached to assist race officials with the wide-ranging tasks associated with yachts and megayachts serving as “spectators” along the course.
When the announcement was made a few days ago, Patrick Coote, Fraser’s marketing director, conveyed the firm’s excitement and was quoted discussing the new course format, saying, “This is the America’s Cup meets Formula 1.” But details on exactly what all of this means, and in particular what Fraser Yachts would oversee, weren’t provided. In an interview with Megayacht News, Coote reveals much more.
First, Coote explains, Fraser will manage everything from booking private and charter megayachts interested in lining the course to handling the financial and regulatory issues related to their attendance. (The latter particularly comes into play for foreign-flagged megayachts.) It will further work with other brokerage, management, and charter houses whose clients wish to attend. As to how Fraser became involved, Coote explains that Niccolò Porzio di Camporotondo, a longtime member of the America’s Cup organizing committee, made the request. He had been appointed as superyacht director for the race, so he wanted to bring in a company with yacht-specific expertise.
Related to this, yachts won’t just be able to line up for the America’s Cup finals in San Francisco in September 2013. They’ll be able to see the action far closer than ever before. Format and course changes were made to permit the yachts to have virtual front-row seats. Coote says that once the yachts are in position, they won’t be able to move. However, the action will be close enough that racing aficionados and newcomers alike will be able to see it right from their decks. When the racers move farther down the course, cameras mounted on buoys and elsewhere will feed footage to TVs, similar to Formula 1’s efforts to bring more of the fast-paced action to viewers whether at home or along the course.
Furthermore, megayacht owners and charterers will be able to attend the three America’s Cup World Series events around the world, which start next month. The host cities, in order, are Cascais, Portugal; Plymouth, England; and San Diego. Coote says that while Fraser hasn’t finalized bookings yet, it expects five to six megayachts to attend the Cascais World Series race. “We’re looking for these to generate interest along the way, leading up to San Francisco,” he adds.
As to that point, “There’s a huge amount of interest in the superyacht industry,” Coote says. “It’s very encouraging.” The final number of yachts that can book positions along each of the courses is still being determined, however. Coote says that it’s partly due to plans being in the early stages. For example, Fraser Yachts and the America’s Cup organizers are trying to determine whether it will be better and easier for the yachts to line up side-to, tie to buoys, etc. Regardless, “It’s all about how to increase the spectator capacity.”
For details on how to arrange for your yacht to have a prime position, or to book a charter yacht attending the races, contact Luc Khaldoun at Fraser Yachts’ Monaco office.
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