World Sailing League Is Launched
Cayard, Coutts and Lagos announce World Sailing League
A new yacht racing series is set to begin in 2009. Called the World Sailing League, events will be held world wide for a winner's purse of $2 million
Celebrated sailors Russell Coutts and Paul Cayard have teamed with Portuguese sports promoter João Lagos to establish a yacht racing series called the World Sailing League. Lagos, founder of Lagos Sports comments, “I immediately recognized the potential of the World Sailing League, and am excited about the opportunity to raise the profile of sailing here in Portugal through this international sporting event."
João Lagos is a former Davis Cup player and captain, and recipient of the Portuguese Order of Merit founded Lagos Sports in 1977. As a sports promoter, João has organized and promoted many premier events. Some of the highlights include the Lisbon Tennis Masters Cup, PGA European Tour Portugal Open, Equestrian CSIO Lisbon, WCT Surfing Events and the Portuguese leg of the Medcup TP 52.
Paul Cayard is an American yachtsman with world class sailing experience that includes the America's Cup, Volvo Ocean Race and Olympic Games. Cayard was the first American to win the Whitbread Round the World Race on EF Language, won seven world championships and was the Rolex Yachtsmen of the Year in 1998. Cayard was elected into the Sailing World Hall of Fame in 2002.
Russell Coutts of New Zealand has won an Olympic gold medal, three America’s Cup races as skipper, three World Match Racing Championships, and numerous international match race victories. Coutts is recognized as the best match racer in the world. As a trained engineer, he recently has worked on the design of a new 44 foot one-design monohull sailboat called the RC 44.
Planning calls for races at principal sailing destinations around the world. Likely venues will include the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Middle East, Asia, North America, and South America regions. The series winner is to receive a prize of $2 million with the event starting in 2009.
The World Sailing League will set up twelve national teams that will race in a fleet format. There is the possibility of introducing slalom and time trials events to the series of races. Cayard and Coutts intend to skipper teams in the series. Teams will compete in 70-foot single-design catamarans. Promoters are exploring the concept of a building a race support vessel that will be able to transport and maintain the sailing craft between venues.
Final touches to the race vessel design are underway and the first prototype will launch towards the end of 2007. Once the prototype is tested, WSL will build 14 follow-on craft during 2008. The design team includes Marc Van Peteghem and Lauriot Prévost. Design goals for the catamarans are to create a craft that can race close to shore exhibiting good speed and maneuverability characteristics. Sailing events will focus on spectator visibility.
