America's Cup for Queensland?

Qld consortium including Riviera boss wants to lure the fight for the Auld Mug to the Gold Coast

Three Queensland identities have teamed up to head a bid to bring the America’s Cup Down Under.

The trio and their supporters are not considering entering a boat, they are determined instead to bring the tourism, media and branding bounty of this global event to the Gold Coast.

Rodney Longhurst, owner and CEO of Riviera Australia, his brother Tony the former champion motor racer and Australian champion waterskier and currently CEO at The Boat Works in Coomera’s marine precinct, and Steve Ackerie, the CEO and founder of the Stefan chain of hair salons, and also six-time Australian Offshore Powerboat Racing Champion are teaming up for the bid.

The Longhursts cut their teeth on building landmark ventures, among them the iconic Dreamworld theme park.

“We want to pitch the Gold Coast as the ideal host city for a preliminary event in the lead up to the 2020 America’s Cup,” explained Tony Longhurst, convinced the Gold Coast has the assets and attitude to welcome the world’s sailing elite, their entourages, sponsors and the tide of avid spectators that follow the America’s Cup.

“It would be a massive windfall for the Gold Coast, a yachting paradise. Hosting a preliminary event to the America’s Cup would bring an influx of affluent tourists to our region and capitalise on the momentum generated by the 2018 Commonwealth Games. We will have the infrastructure and we definitely have the natural attractions the world sees as authentically Australian.”

The consortium says that this is no pie-in-the-sky attempt.

Buoyed by the avid crowds and international media attention during the Extreme Series Sailing held in Sydney in December 2015, Tony is prepared to activate his contacts acquired over a life-time in motorsports and his network of sponsors and supporters. So impressed by the speeds and spectacle at the Sydney Extreme Sailing Series, Tony invested in one of his own, which he will use to woo the corporate crowd, media, sponsors and VIPs, on the Gold Coast Broadwater, at Hamilton Island Race Week and at events on Sydney Harbour.

“Imagine those America’s Cup foiling catamarans doing 80km/h – that’s nearly three times windspeed – with the backdrop of Surfers Paradise and the rest of our beautiful coastline!” said Tony.

Known as the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series, this thrilling racing circuit featuring the world’s best sailors competing on foiling, wingsailed catamarans that literally fly on the water’s surface.

“Oman in the Middle East held the first round of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series in the last week of February and it brought global attention to its location as a coastal city,” said Tony. “The presence of the America’s Cup and world-class sailors inspired the entire nation, attracted thousands of visitors and gave the Sultanate of Oman the chance to showcase its culture.”

Rodney Longhurst travels the world for boat shows, visiting Riviera’s network of dealers and nurturing the “Riv family” which for 30 years has proliferated on every continent.

“Australia is no longer remote,” he stated. “We believe it’s feasible and would bring incredible benefits to the region.

“We have the climate, the waterfront, the outdoors lifestyle, the blend of beach and Hinterland, proximity to capitals and New Zealand, an international airport and Brisbane close by. The Gold Coast is safe, clean, high-tech and we love big events!”

In 2017, the 35th America’s Cup will be held in Bermuda, reputed to be the ideal venue for its natural amphitheatre, proximity to spectators, mild climate and great offshore wind conditions.

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America's Cup for Queensland?

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