April Fools 2006

VOR News

Cayard Out!

We've actually been hearing about this one for a while, but our spies tell us now that Cayard is about to be booted from the Pirates VOR campaign. The word is that Disney is not only unhappy with the results, which have truly been dismal, but they are most displeased with the internal turmoil within the team, which is now becoming a huge issue. A prickly sort to begin with, apparently the pressure of poor performance has made Cayard nearly impossible to get along with, even for longtime Cayard apologists like Kimo "I get paid to manage, not sail" Worthington, who is also thought to be getting flicked as well. While the Cayard thing is a shocker, nobody would argue with dumping Worthington..

As to who replaces Cayard? Get this - we are hearing Ken Read has been offered a tidy little sum to try to right the wreck of the Pirates! Stay tuned....

04/01/06

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The Biz

Done???

This really shocks us and also really pisses us off. It looks like the Flying Tiger 10 program is not only suddenly on hold, but likely done!!! The Chinese government yesterday has shut down the yard, and has detained both principal Bill Stevens and designer Robert Perry (who just arrived in China upon hearing of the impending trouble). We got a very brief email from Bill saying, "This time it looks like the jig is up. There are some in the gov who hate the US influence here, and this is their way of showing it. I'd say we're screwed."

Apparently no further construction will be allowed, and the one complete boat will remain in China. No word on the 80 or so deposits for boats, but Bill said "don't hold your breath." We of course will keep you informed as we hear more.

Damn it!!

04/01/06

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AC
Nepotism to the Ridiculous

Most know that Larry Ellison, head of BMW/Oracle is volatile, temperamental and unpredictable, but this one may take the cake. Apparently not enough to boot John Kostecki, or give the keys to the program to the unlikeable Chris Dickson, our inside men tell us that Ellison has been secretly having his best helmsmen train Ellison's kid, David to become the primary helmsman of the Oracle AC boat. Said the senior Ellison, "Anyone can steer these things. The real race is won at the technology level - design and build. If David shows that he can do it, and I think he can, then he will steer the boat. And we will win."

Uh, okay Larry.

04/01/06

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Big Pimpin'

'Bout Time

We've waited for five years for these guys to step aboard, and finally they have. North Sails has become not just an advertiser here, but The Official Sponsor of Sailing Anarchy! North is is going to play a big part in virtually everything we do, so get used to the Big Blue logo here at SA!

Let's be honest, they dominate everything, as do we, so it seemed a perfect marriage. To quote Kent Brockman, news anchor on The Simpson's, "I for one welcome our new overlords."

Give the boys at North an especially hearty SA hello!

04/01/06