America's Cup

Partnership combines technology and sportsmanship for yachting's top challenge

Munich, 07/16/2008 -- BMW and ORACLE Racing said today that they were very pleased to announce the renewal of their partnership in BMW ORACLE Racing, as they prepare to compete for the next America's Cup.

Speaking at a press conference at BMW Welt, which adjoins the firm's headquarters in Munich, Russell Coutts, the team's CEO and skipper, said they were delighted to be renewing a strong partnership that is now entering its seventh year. Both Coutts and Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management BMW Group, Sales & Marketing, said they looked forward to seeing an exciting event with the technologically demanding multihull yachts to be used in the 33rd America's Cup.

Portsmouth, England, 12 December month, 2007 - The Green Team will be the seventh entry into the Volvo Ocean Race. Double Olympic medallist Ian Walker is named as skipper. Reichel Pugh are the appointed designers and the Volvo Open 70 is already in build.

The Green Team has confirmed it will be the seventh entry into the Volvo Ocean Race 2008 -09, and British sailor Ian Walker is named as skipper.

Ian Walker's achievements in the last 12 years include two Olympic medals, four World Championships and being skipper and tactician for two America's Cup campaigns (GBR Challenge and +39). His most recent success has been as skipper of the TP52 Patcheswhere he worked alongside owner Eamon Conneely to secure the global championship in 2006.

As skipper of the Green Team entry in the Volvo Ocean Race, Walker will oversee both the design and build programme along with crew selection.

Proceeds to Benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure: Auction from April 20-30

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J., April 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Starting today at 6:00 p.m. Pacific time, BMW of North America will host a special online auction on eBay to raise money for Susan G. Komen for the Cure -- the global grassroots movement dedicated to finding a cure for breast cancer. Bidders will vie for the coveted 18th man position on the BMW ORACLE Racing Yacht until the auction closes on April 30th.

For more information go to BMW's website: www.bmwusa.com/sailing or www.ebay.com/bmw to place your bid. BMW will send the auction's highest bidder on a truly unique, once-in-a-lifetime adventure to Valencia, Spain, where the they will occupy the 18th Man position on the BMW ORACLE Racing yacht during the 4th race of the Louis Vuitton Cup Semifinals on May 18, 2007. And, there's more for the lucky winner -- if the BMW ORACLE Racing team wins and advances to the finals, they will take the 18th Man position a second time to race with the team in the America's Cup Finals.

BMW ORACLE Racing Sails Into Rockefeller Center to Kick-Off Summer June 15 - July 2, 2006

Racing Yacht of Only USA America's Cup Challenger Comes to New York

NEW YORK, May 10 /PRNewswire/ -- BMW ORACLE Racing, the only U.S. Challenger for the America's Cup -- sailing's most prestigious prize and the world's oldest trophy in sport -- comes to New York's Rockefeller Center June 15 - July 2, 2006. An America's Cup racing yacht of the U.S. team is the centerpiece of what will be an eye-catching interactive nautical exhibit open to the public.The event, supported by the team's partners and sponsors; BMW, ORACLE, Allianz and Girard-Perregaux, will allow visitors a close-up look into the cockpit of the 80-foot, carbon fiber sailboat that will sit at a dock at the midtown Manhattan landmark. The 110-foot high mast will tower over the racing yacht, standing in the same place as the traditional Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.

Exhibit highlights include boat pools with three-foot, remote-controlled, mini America's Cup boats for racing, an America's Cup historical pavilion curated by Mystic Seaport, and real-time racing footage on a large screen from Valencia, Spain, where the American team is competing in it is bid to win the Cup back for the U.S.