FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Jasmin G. Blackmar, America’s Cup Hall of
Fame, 401-253-5000 (www.herreshoff.org)
AMERICA’S CUP HALL OF FAME 15th ANNUAL INDUCTION
Davidson and
Troublé are 2007 Inductees
Bristol,
Rhode Island (February 2, 2007) –The America’s Cup Hall of Fame announces
selection of two significant sailing leaders for induction into the Hall of
Fame. Laurie Davidson (New Zealand) and Bruno Troublé (Paris, France), have
been named as the 2007 inductees to the America’s Cup Hall of Fame. The inductees, who exemplify the best in
both the design and international promotion of racing for the Cup, will be
honored on the occasion of the America’s Cup Hall of Fame 15th Annual Induction
Ceremony to be held Sunday, June 24, 2007 in Valencia, Spain. Tickets to this black-tie
dinner are available to the public and can be reserved by contacting the
America’s Cup Hall of Fame at 401-253-5000 or e-mailing
t.souto@herreshoff.org.
America’s
Cup Hall of Fame President Halsey C. Herreshoff, who will preside over the
Induction Ceremony, said: “The selection of these two outstanding America’s Cup
individuals fits perfectly with the mission of the Hall of Fame to elevate only
the very best to the top honored status for the America’s Cup. Laurie Davidson,
a highly successful designer of America’s Cup yachts, is particularly known for
the “Davidson bow”, a forward overhang geometry that was a factor in New
Zealand successfully defending the Cup in 2000. Bruno Troublé, an America’s Cup
Challenge skipper, is the mastermind behind the Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger
series. As such he continues to set the stage for the 2007 America’s Cup
races. I express my congratulations to
these special individuals that we honor this year.”
Laurie
Davidson, Auckland, New Zealand 1936-
As
one of the best America’s Cup designers since the introduction of the new
America’s Cup class in 1990, Laurie Davidson had also played a role in the
design of the New Zealand fiberglass 12-Meters that were among the top
performers during the 1987 competition in Fremantle, Australia.
In
the 1995 challenge in San Diego, both Laurie Davidson and Doug Peterson were
named designers for the Kiwis. Laurie was the designer of KZL 32 and Doug the
designer of KZL38. Both designers and other technicians contributed to the rig
and other details after the basic design was established. NZL 32 went on to win
the Cup in five straight races over the American Cup defender.
In
the year 2000, when Laurie was chief designer for Team New Zealand, it was
asserted that designers for the other teams had used NZL 32 as their point of
departure. But that year Laurie took another jump ahead and came up with what
is now known as the “Davidson bow.” This is a forward overhang geometry that
provides slightly greater sailing length within the rating. Again the Davidson
boat won in five straight, this time against the challenger Luna Rossa from
Italy.
During
the 2003 challenge, all the boats involved but one had the “Davidson bow.” The
exception was the Italian Prada entry, which part way through the campaign had
its bow modified to be similar to the other boats. Davidson was then chief
designer for the Seattle USA challengers. The Louis Vuitton Cup was taken by
the Swiss Alinghi, a yacht also resembling in important respects previous
Davidson designs.
The
time may well have passed when it will be possible to name a single designer
for an America’s Cup challenger or defender because there are so many
specialties involved in the complete design – hydrodynamics, aerodynamics,
computer expertise, structural engineering, etc. The list seems to grow with
each challenge. But during the Davidson years this trend was not developed to
the extent it is today; rather in the past there were dominant designers for
each syndicate. It is the feeling of the Selection Committee that Davidson was
the designer chiefly responsible for taking the Cup to New Zealand in 1995 and
keeping it there in 2000. Advances he made, particularly in hull shapes, have
been emulated by AC designers ever since 1995. For his excellence in design,
engineering and contribution to sailing, Laurie Davidson will be inducted into
the America’s Cup Hall of Fame.
Bruno
Troublé, Versailles, France (1945- )
Bruno
Troublé has been very special to the
America’s Cup – as a sailor and skipper, then as the mastermind behind the
Louis Vuitton Cup.
Bruno, a Flying Dutchman and Soling champion,
was skipper of two challenges for the America’s Cup led by Baron Marcel Bich. Bruno
had been drafted from the 1976 French Olympic sailing team and did such a good job
at starting he was promoted to skipper FRANCE I during the Challenger series in
1977. He then returned to skipper FRANCE III in 1980. Also in, 1983 he
participated in a challenge led by Yves Rousset-Rouard.
Bruno
visited the New York Yacht Club when he was 17 while competing in a 505 World
Championship in Larchmont. Standing in the model room of the Yacht Club, the
atmosphere and history of the America’s Cup had such an impact on him that the
Cup eventually became a significant part of his life. From sailor and lawyer,
Bruno went on to create a PR agency in Paris (D’Day) and became the driving
force behind the Louis Vuitton Cup for challengers.
This
followed from Bruno recognizing the opportunity to enhance the importance of
the Challenger Series. In 1983, he worked to create the Louis Vuitton Cup
series, which continues through the 2007 races. His marketing and public
relations company D’Day has developed and maintained the relationship with the
series sponsor, Louis Vuitton. This combination represents outstanding success
and longevity in the world of sports marketing. Over three decades Bruno and Louis Vuitton have brought something very
special to the Cup. As the America’s Cup has evolved from a mainly amateur
event to fully professional, Bruno has always respected the traditions and
history and found a balance between innovation, commercial involvement and the
unique history of the Cup. Bruno also played a significant role in organizing
the America’s Cup Jubilee in Cowes in 2001.
Bruno
Troublé has enhanced the America’s Cup in a different way from all others. As
noted by members of the Selection Committee, Bruno is the first “impresario” in
the Cup’s history. He has been the head of the press operation, the coordinator
for the Challenger Series, an essential link with syndicates and sponsors, a
face for the Cup in Europe and an agent for change while always maintaining
respect for America’s Cup tradition.
Take
away any of these and, very likely, the America’s Cup over the past 25 years
would have been very different. Today, the America’s Cup Hall of Fame is
honored to announce the induction of Bruno Troublé, to join the ranks of
lifetime contributors to the America’s Cup competition.
About
the America's Cup Hall of Fame
The
America's Cup Hall of Fame was created to honor the challengers, defenders, and
legendary personages of the world's most distinguished sporting competition.
The present prototype Hall of Fame is located in an historic building on the
grounds of the former Herreshoff Manufacturing Company in Bristol, Rhode
Island, where yachts were constructed for eight consecutive America's Cup
defenses between 1893 and 1934. The Herreshoff Marine Museum, situated on this
historic site, operates the America's Cup Hall of Fame.
Commencing
with the first induction ceremony in 1993, 64 legends of the Cup have been
selected for membership in the Hall of Fame. Candidates eligible for
consideration include skippers, afterguard, crew, designers, builders,
organizers, syndicate leaders, managers, supporters, chroniclers, race
managers, and other individuals of merit. Each nominee is judged on the basis
of outstanding ability, international recognition, character, performance, and
contributions to the sport. The 18 members of the Hall of Fame Selection Committee
bring a wealth of knowledge to the selection process. This illustrious
international group is made up of persons intimate with the America's Cup
tradition of yacht racing and committed to the integrity of the Hall of Fame.
The America’s Cup Hall of Fame is honored to conduct its yearly induction
ceremonies in locations worldwide.
The
America's Cup Hall of Fame is dedicated to preserving and demonstrating the
influence of America's Cup Competition, for the purpose of education and the
inspiration of excellence in the world of yachting. For more information, visit
www.herreshoff.org, or contact the Herreshoff Marine Museum at P.O. Box 450,
One Burnside Street, Bristol, RI 02809-0450, Phone: 401-253-5000, Fax:
401-253-6222.
-END-
Addendum
Selection
Committee for the America’s Cup Hall of Fame
John
S. Burnham, Chairman
Henry
H. Anderson Jr.
B.
Devereux Barker III
Bruno
Bich
Dr.
William Collier
Bob
Fisher
Halsey
C. Herreshoff
Nathanael
G Herreshoff III
Frederick
E. Hood
William
H. Dyer Jones
Bruce
Kirby
Stanley
Livingston Jr.
Elizabeth
E. Meyer
Peter
Montgomery
Rob
Mundle
David
M. Philips
John
Rousmaniere
Olin
J. Stephens II
William
G. Winterer
2007
Hall
of Fame Honor Roll of Members
Charles
Francis Adams
James
L. Ashbury
Charles
Barr
J.
Burr Bartram
Robert
N. Bavier Jr.
John
Bertrand
Baron
Marcel Bich
Sir
Peter Blake
Alan
Bond
Dick
Brown
Edward
Burgess
W.
Starling Burgess
Malin
Burnham
Bradley
W. Butterworth OBE
James
E. Buttersworth
William
F. Carstens
Dennis
Conner
Russell
Coutts
Briggs
S. Cunningham
Laurie
Davidson – 2007 Induction
Edward
I. du Moulin
Sir
Michael Fay
William
P. Ficker
William
Fife III
Henry
Coleman Haff
Sir
James Hardy
Nathanael
G. Herreshoff
F.E.
“Ted” Hood
Chandler
Hovey
Sherman
Hoyt
C.
Oliver Iselin
George
“Fritz” Jewett Jr.
Gary
Jobson
Arthur
Knapp Jr.
William
I. Koch
Ben
Lexcen
Sir
Thomas J. Lipton
Harry
“Buddy” Melges
E.D.
Morgan
Henry
Sturgis Morgan
Emil
“Bus” Mosbacher Jr.
Frank
J. Murdoch
Charles
E. Nicholson
Sir
Frank Packer
General
Charles J. Paine
Alan
Payne
Victor
A. Romagna
Morris
Rosenfeld
Stanley
Rosenfeld
Tom
Schnackenberg
George
L. Schuyler
Commodore
Henry Sears
T.O.M.
Sopwith
George
Steers
John
Cox Stevens
Olin
J. Stephens II
Roderick
Stephens Jr.
Jack
Sutphen
Bruno
Troublé – 2007 Induction
R.E.
“Ted” Turner
Stephen
A. Van Dyck
Harold
S.Vanderbilt
Gertrude
Vanderbilt
George
L. Watson
Thomas
A. Whidden
The
Earl of Wilton