Mills Sets Up British America’s Cup Team

Sir Keith Mills, deputy chairman of London 2012 organising committee LOCOG, is
leading the launch of Origin, a new British sailing team to compete in the
America’s Cup.

In unveiling the blueprint for the creation of Origin, Mills said that the
team will comprise some of the world’s leading sailors and boat designers from
the UK and beyond with the aim of winning the America’s Cup and bringing event
back to British shores for the first time since its inception over 150 years
ago.

Origin is committed to participating in at least two America’s Cup campaigns
– the 33rd and 34th editions of the race, likely to take place in 2009 and 2011
respectively.

Origin’s crew members, boat designers and management teams will be recruited
over the next six months, and will be announced following the completion of the
current 32nd America’s Cup event taking place in Valencia from 23 June to 7 July
2007.

Origin will be based in the UK with a venue for the team’s base to be
selected for its facilities, sailing conditions and communications links. The
base, together with the yacht club that the team will represent, will be decided
in the next six months.

The team will be funded through a combination of private and commercial
investment with Origin’s commercial team to commence discussions and
negotiations with potential investors and sponsors during the coming months.