Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/329964
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 15 JUNE 2014 BOATING 37 THE world's eyes on Brazil and the World Cup, watching as socio-political issues compete with the football for viewer's at- tention. Yacht owners have raised questions about the readiness of the country to facilitate supery- achts. At the London Olympics dozens of superyachts arrived for the games with dedicated berths created within the city. Traditionally, South America has been left off the superyacht trail but now companies such as Brazil Yacht Services have assured enthusiasts that the country is well prepared to join the global charter market. Brazil's status as a major yacht builder got a boost late in 2008, when representatives from the country's major players came together to form a national as- sociation, which they call Su- peryachts Brazil. The new organization, similar to organizations in other coun- tries, is intended not only to in- crease Brazil's visibility in the world of major yacht builders but to also make Brazil a major charter destination. Adam Tarleton, Global Busi- ness Development at Brazil Yacht Charter confirmed, "We have, in the last 12 months agented for, and assisted several large sail and motor yachts over 50 m. and their helicopters". However, the legalities of superyacht charter in Brazil means that it is very difficult to charter an international yacht in Brazilian waters, which in turn means that the yachts available to charter will have to be Bra- zilian. "Brazil has a small but grow- ing fleet of charter vessels, nearly all under 40m. All under the Brazilian flag. Foreign flag vessels may visit Brazil in pri- vately owned capacity with no problem. That is, an owner may use his or her yacht to entertain guests," confirms Tarleton. What can sailors expect from Brazil's coastline? The Atlantic coast seems like an idyllic destination for a yacht charter with the primary char- ter area of Angra dos Reis (Bay of Kings) being about two hours south of Rio de Janeiro on the Costa Verde (Green Coast) and, with 365 untouched islands, this area has been likened to the Caribbean of the 1950s. For those who are looking to purely follow the World Cup, eight out of the 12 hosting cities are located on the coast ranging from Fortaleza in the north to Porto Alegre in the south. Here, charterers can swim in waterfalls, snorkel in clear tur- quoise water and explore sleepy villages by horse-drawn car- riages, according to yacht ex- pert Chris Caswell. Those planning to stay in Bra- zil during the World Cup games have long been making plans. As early as March, instructions were issued by the Marina da Gloria, one of Rio's most popu- lar marinas and the host of the sailing events of the upcom- ing Summer Olympics 2016, informing those interested in berthing their vessels of the rules and regulations. SIR Ben Ainslie confirmed that the Formula One designer Adrian Newey could play a key role in the development of his ambitious £80m America's Cup project and said winning the America's Cup with a British team would surpass his four Olympic sailing gold medals. Ainslie was joined by the Duchess of Cambridge at the launch of his new team in Greenwich on Tuesday. They hope to win the 35th America's Cup in 2017 and become the first British outfit to do so. The 37-year-old has already held discussions with Newey, the Red Bull designer who recently agreed a new contract with the organisation, and believes his input could be crucial. Newey resisted overtures from Ferrari to stay with Red Bull but his hands-on role with the F1 team may be reduced. "I've had a couple of really good chats with Adrian. He's a really lovely guy and the most successful designer in Formula One history. He's keen on rac- ing in the America's Cup, it's great for us. He clearly has a lot of commitments still with Formula One and it really de- pends how he can fit some- thing in and being involved in the team," said Ainslie. "It's all about aerodynamics and hydraulics so we've already started discussions with the motorsport teams in the For- mula One world." Asked how winning the America's Cup with a British team would rank alongside his Olympic achievements, Ainslie said: "It would far and away surpass that because it's such a huge challenge and the fact that we've never done it. It would be an amazing achieve- ment." Ainslie played a pivotal role in last year's America's Cup success for Oracle Team USA, who were trailing Team New Zealand 8-1 before Ainslie masterminded a dramatic 9-8 comeback in San Francisco. Sir Keith Mills, the deputy chair- man of the London Organis- ing Committee of the Olympic Games, and the co-founder of the Carphone Warehouse, Sir Charles Dunstone, are both di- rectors of Ben Ainslie Racing. They will also provide fund- ing for the team, which will be based in Portsmouth. Mills said: "The aerodynam- ics of a car is not too dissimilar to a boat. We start by having discussions with F1 teams and companies. It will ultimately be a collaboration of compa- nies and individuals that have the experience we need to win this thing. "This is the last sporting chal- lenge. Britain has never won the America's Cup, ever." 37 "This is the last sporting challenge. Britain has never won the America's Cup, ever" Brazil hosts superyachts during World Cup America's Cup – Sir Ben Ainslie holds talks with Adrian Newey over America's Cup role