Yachting supremo - again

16/2/2010

Sir Russell Coutts (1975-79) confirmed his status as the world best match-racing yachtsman yesterday and king of the America’s Cup with the clean sweep for Oracle over his former syndicate Alinghi.

After being ousted by Alinghi in 2007, Russell took sweet revenge by winning his fourth America’s Cup.

Oracle chief executive Russell Coutts (centre) with owner Larry Ellison (right) and skipper James Spithill with the America's Cup in Valencia.

Having already won the Auld Mug in 1995, 2000 and 2003, yesterday’s success matched the record set by United States skipper Dennis Conner, who won in 1974, 1980, 1987 and 1988.

But there is a small difference: this time around, Coutts acted as the winning team’s CEO with Oracle’s giant trimaran steered instead by Australian James Spithill, and the former Dunedin man is undefeated in the America’s Cup … with Black Magic in 1995, Team New Zealand in 2000 and Alinghi in 2003, he won the cup each time 5-0.

Yachting commentator Peter Lester said the 33rd America’s Cup would be remembered as a battle of technology, and, as CEO of BMW Oracle, Coutts deserved much of the credit for the historic win.

‘‘Coutts’ contribution to this programme has been huge. He oversaw and masterminded the entire project and made sure he brought together the best pos
sible team to pull it off,’’ he said.

Lester believes Russell has positioned himself as the most influential figure in the 159-year history of the America’s Cup.

And the latest chapter in Russell’s incredible yachting story won’t change him either. So says a long-time friend.

Allan Garbutt (1975-79), who teaches at Otago Boys’ High School, says Russell has enhanced his legacy with his latest achievement.

‘‘Obviously, this is quite phenomenal. It speaks volumes for the man’s intellect. But the thing with Russell is he is a very modest person. He lets his achievements speak for themselves. He doesn’t have a swollen head and, in fact, he’s very happy to be out of the public light,’’ Allen says.

Russell is a qualified engineer and Allen believes he is just as influential behind the scenes at Oracle as he would have been at the helm.

‘‘His real interest now is in design. He’s found the project management side of it and the engineering to be fascinating. He would have been involved in every major design decision. What makes Russell quite unique is he can understand everything about mathematics and engineering and materials. He also under
stands the implications for the actual sailing of the vessel. Very few people would have that breadth of knowledge.’’

After Alinghi won the America’s Cup in Auckland in 2003, Coutts wanted to see his responsibilities at the Swiss team increase. But his ambitions were thwarted by owner Ernesto Bertarelli and fellow New Zealand skipper Brad Butterworth, and Coutts left Alinghi in 2004.

Alinghi, which as the defending champion could set the rules for the next edition of the event, made convoluted changes to the rules for the 32nd edition of the trophy in Valencia, which prevented him from taking part.

Russell joined Oracle shortly after Alinghi defended its trophy at the last America’s Cup and was given full responsibility by the team’s owner, US software tycoon Larry Ellison. After a protracted court battle, Oracle won the right to be Alinghi’s challenger in the 33rd America’s Cup, giving Coutts the chance to face his former employer.