Sailing Gods Together

James Spitthill has a further super star on board who is a brilliant partner in the RC44 Austria Cup and goes by the name of John Kostecki.

James Spitthill (AUS) and BMW Oracle Racing are totally committed. America´s Cup´s victorious mate Russel Coutts and nine further syndicates have officially confirmed John Kostecki´s nomination.

The US-Pro, who lead the tactics in the Cup victory against Team Alinghi has ten World Cup titles as well as an Olympic medal and has written a victorious history in America´s Cup as well as in Volvo Ocean Race. While Spitthill makes the decisions at the wheel during the match race, Kostecki takes the wheel in the fleet race- this Saturday the duo is on site and counts as one of the favorites. Coutts who pilots the second BMW boat with Larry Ellison, will have to wear something warm for the first stall duel. That both teams don´t take the Austria Cup lightly is shown also by Phillippe Presti´s commitment who acts as a coach for both teams. The Frenchman, double Olympia participant, double world champion and in the match race circus for a good decade has already involved himself in the game as trainer in the AC victory before Valencia.

„This star contingent is unbelievable, for the Traunsee and the event a real blessing and for our team the biggest challenge so far.” Despite the famous competitors Christian Binder and Co don´t want to lose their confidence, “we have respect, but don´t plan to give up.” It´s every sailor´s dream to compete against such giants, “that this dream is being fulfilled in front of an audience makes it even more beautiful.” AEZ RC44 Sailing Teams´ preparation was long due to the dockyard work- the boat was damaged while returning home from Dubai , but still very optimistic. “We have nothing to lose and proved that before Dubai, that a place in the middle field is possible.”

The prestigious rebound before Gmunden will be on 29 April and decided into three categories. Next to the duels boat against boat, 01 May the Gmunden´s Grand prix is on the program, RC44 Austria Cup will be finalized with the fleet race 04 May.

Details: www.rc44.at
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