Teamorigin, the British sailing team intending to bid for the 33rd America's Cup, today announced a key partnership in their ongoing development. They have made a formal agreement with the Royal Thames Yacht Club to be their official Challenging Yacht Club, a mandatory requirement for all Challengers prior to entering the America's Cup.

The selection of a yacht club before the end of the current 32nd America's Cup puts the team in a strong position ahead of the programme for the 33rd America's Cup and represents an important step forward in building the British Challenge. All Challengers to the Cup must be organised as part of a recognised yacht club that meets the qualification criteria laid out under America's Cup rules.

Sir Keith Mills, Team Principal commented: "I am very pleased to announce The Royal Thames Yacht Club's selection as our official Challenging Yacht Club. We are required to choose a yacht club as part of our bid to win the Cup and needed to ensure that club met the necessary criteria and would give us the skills and experience we need - The Royal Thames certainly meets our requirements and we are thrilled that they are joining the Teamorigin family. We look forward to working together closely with the club."



Yachting World, 28 June 2007