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ROYAL THAMES YC PARTNERS WITH BMW

Posted 4 years, 2 months ago

ROYAL THAMES YC PARTNERS WITH BMW
Tuesday evening in London was the annual prizewinners' dinner at the Royal Thames Yacht Club in Knightsbridge, London. Earlier this year RTYC partnered with BMW UK-Ireland for support of their racing and training programs, and by all accounts the relationship has been very successful. The invitation to dinner read "black tie, no medals" -- good thing because about the only medals I have are from 7th grade band camp. A very nice evening with a number of long-time UK sailing friends present, including former ISAF Vice President Robin Aisher and his wife Val, Newport friends Tim and Kathy Herring, and event promoter Gavia Wilkinson-Cox. RTYC member Hugh Agnew won the prize for outstanding contribution to the sport and the Club. Coincidentally, we had met Hugh at Malmo during Acts 6 and 7 where his beautiful motor yacht Rum Jungle was in use as one of our VIP spectator boats, bringing BMW guests across from Copenhagen and then around the race course each day. Tim O'Donnell, managing director of BMW UK-Ireland led a small group of BMW guests who enjoyed the dinner and awards presentation. Also present was Peter Walker, the BMW UK sports marketing head who oversees and the partnership with the Royal Thames "Chief Sailing Officer" Malcolm McKeag. After dinner I spoke briefly to a rapt audience of nearly 200 members and guests on "What's New for 32" and updating them on developmentss and progress within BMW ORACLE Racing. As we found in the USA during the Yacht Club Tour, so far in the UK there has not been a lot of coverage AC 32, but there is no shortage of interest. Those assembled were particularly pleased to hear about the number of Brits spread among the twelve AC32 teams, including BMWOR team members Saskia Green (operations), Graham Wynn (design), Dave Lapelly (design) and John Williams (shore). At noon on Wedensday, BMW hosted a luncheon for key Brit media at which we updated them on the same topics. The video that Gary Jobson produced for the USA YC Tour was shown and much appreciated by those in attendance. We also announced that we were now preparing to enter the construction phase for the first of our two new ACC yachts. The press release issued later that day by BMW in Munich is now available on our main team website. Last evening Yachting World, whose editor Sue Pelling was among those present, posted a nice story about the Wednesday luncheon and our yacht construction project and team in Anacortes, WA. Others no doubt will follow. All in all a productive and civilized conclusion to a long yet very successful road trip. RTYC accepting a BMWOR half-model (from left): RTYC Chief Sailing Officer Malcom McKeag, prizewinner Hugh Agnew, BMW UK-Ireland chief Jim O'Donnell, RTYC Vice Commodore John Stork, BMWOR's Tom Ehman, RTYC "Cup Bearer" and UK yachting icon Robin Aisher. Wednesday's media luncheon in RTYC's elegant Edinburgh Room. Veteran AC journalist from the UK, Stuart Alexander (second from left) said with typical British understatement, "It was a civilized gathering." That's BMW UK's Peter Walker, at the head of the table, hosted the superb luncheon. The new M6 looking pretty sharp outside the entrance to the Club, which is situated in the posh Knightsbridge shopping district. Congrats to the Club and BMW on the realistic and successful way the partner- ship has developed this year. Full Story »

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