We heard conflicting reports about the viability of the Antarctica Cup, and recently received this perspective from Bob Williams, Chairman of the Antarctica Cup. Seems well thought out and we hope it flies. - Ed.

For the Antarctica Cup race to be successful it must have the makings of becoming a successful business in itself. From my own experience I've learnt that the drivers of a successful sport based business are first and foremost - broad public interest. If you can achieve this it leads automatically to strong multi-media interest which leads to strong corporate interest. The race format for the Antarctica Cup is designed to attract broad public interest:

Nation vs. nation.
Fellow countrymen competing against other nationals.
Simple rules and level playing field.
Racing across the most tempestuous and coldest ocean on the planet for 45 days non-stop in big ocean racing boats.
Mother Nature at her most beautiful and most violent.
Sailing above and below the Antarctic Convergence ( Polar Front).
Who is mad enough? Tough enough? Brave enough? Good enough? Will they make it?

We are doing all things possible to make the Antarctica Cup a major multi- media attraction. Dedicated media person on board. A professional media suite on board the Maxi-boats which will accommodate three people at once equipped to beam crew interviews and other visual data by satellite ( and aircraft) to the shore based media centre and to the world daily. We are encouraging women members of the crews. We have a 45 day pre-race regatta which is a 'warm up' period for crews and the public leading up to the 45 day Antarctica Cup race which is in effect 12 races within a race. Every two to three days there is an interim result as the Maxi-boats race between 'gates' for a variety of prizes. There are no boring bits in this race. If there is an ocean racing equivalent to climbing Everest surely this must be it.

The best commentators on the likely hood of the event being a media success are the major broadcasters themselves. We've had plenty of enthusiastic feedback from many - "brilliant concept" - "right duration"- "patriotism drives viewers".

Recently we decided to introduce a Country Franchise Owner scheme. This is a bold move as it restricts the numbers of entrants from any one country for a number of years. The reasons are threefold - (1) is to concentrate national interest on teams representing a country and heighten their likelihood of attracting sponsors (2) is to allow us to develop a business relationship with our entrants/license holders - license holders share in revenue streams from several sources that we have identified (3) is to allow us to develop an ongoing programme of races and championship regattas for the Antarctica Cup Class Maxi-Boats during the 20 months in between Antarctica Cup races.

The cost to acquire a Country Franchise Owner license is Euros 4.625 Million which includes the cost to purchase a fully equipped 25 metre Antarctica Cup Class Maxi-Boat designed by Brett Bakewell-White and the contribution towards the prize money pool and race administration costs. Finance terms are available. The cost can be reduced by leasing the Maxi-boat. The Mk1 design will be retained for a minimum of two Antarctica Cup races.

We've made efforts to ensure that the dedicated Maxi-boats for the race will be competitive in other events such as the Sydney-Hobart race and have sufficient internal volume to allow practical conversion when race duties cease. The boats are not extreme but they will be fast. By being identical we can control the design safety factors which for us is the responsible thing to do.

The event does not have a major events sponsor so advertising is unrestricted as far as individual entrants are concerned. This may change! We are not adverse to introducing a major events sponsor. If this does transpire in the short term the monetary benefits will flow back to reduce the cost of acquiring a license to participate in the event. This would be a decided win-win for all stakeholders in the event.

I think you will see we are working hard to get it right. The biggest 'barrier to entry' may in fact be the race course itself! This was never intended to be a race for any other than the toughest and most adventurous of nationally minded ocean racing athletes from both hemispheres. Following in the wake of the heroic Antarctic navigators of the past 230 years.

Getting the first race away is a tough challenge for us also. Once established, however, we can be pretty confident it will be here to stay!

Best Regards,

Bob Williams
Chairman
Antarctica Cup Pty Ltd