Malaysia will make America's Cup bid

Malaysia will make America's Cup bid

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia will make a challenge in 2011 for the America's Cup, the world's oldest sailing competition, a newspaper reported here on Saturday.

The New Straits Times said discussions were under way to organize a team to challenge in the event, with the Malaysian bid likely to be led by top yachtsmen Peter Gilmour of Australia and New Zealand's Russell Coutts.

Gilmour and Coutts are respectively number one and three in the world in the latest International Sailing Federation rankings.

"There is a good chance of both of us working together to get into motion a tangible challenge to compete in the race and even bring the Cup to Malaysia," the paper quoted Gilmour saying.

"Malaysia has got a reputation of getting things done," he told the daily. "It is perfectly poised to take on the America's Cup challenge with international partners."

The paper estimated the cost of a Malaysian challenge at 490 million ringgit (US$130 million).

The America's Cup is one of the oldest trophies in international sport, dating back to 1851, decades before the advent of the Ashes cricket series and the modern Olympic Games.

The competition is held every four years. Swiss syndicate Alinghi, current holders of the Auld Mug, will defend it in Valencia, Spain in 2007. -- Reuters