Grant Simmer's Interview on BMWOracle DogZilla

SD: We have seen the launch of what might be the sole opponent for the America’s Cup should BMW Oracle win their appeal. What are your first impressions of the American Boat?
GS: It is a very impressive and powerful boat, the photos we have seen suggest that the boat is extremely well built, it looks like their designers and boat builders have done a great job.

SD: Were you expecting a boat like this? Are you impressed or disappointed with what BMW Oracle has put together to take you on?
GS: BOR has done an impressive job with the design and construction of this boat, there may be controversy about whether their certificate of vessel describes this boat but that would be an issue for lawyers and not designers, this boat will always be a credit to their designers and boat builders.

SD: Putting yourself in their shoes, given the challenge ahead would you be satisfied to have built something like this or would you feel that you have been a little conservative?
GS: I hope we would have a built an AC90 and would now be preparing to race all the other challengers.

SD: The US team managed to build a state of the art multihull in record time (9/10 months) whilst another giant multihull (i.e.: the new Banque Populaire) took 18 months to build. When did you start building yours? When are we going to see what the Defender has in store?
GS: We started building our DoG boat in Switzerland in April/May and despite the last appeal decision we are planning to finish the boat and you should see it early next year

SD: At first sight is the BOR DoG boat in accordance with the dimensions and other information stated in the Notice of Challenge received by SNG a year ago?
GS: It is difficult to say because their Certificate of Vessel is ambiguous.

SD: We have recently seen an exchange of letters between SNG and GGYC re: Custom’s House Certificate - When can Alinghi expect the Custom’s House Certificate?
GS: The Deed says the Challenger has to provide the Customs House Certificate “as soon as possible”, in the case of this yacht we argued that the Certificate should have been provided during construction so between four and six months ago.

SD: Thank you for your comments Grant