How Larry Ellison and a Car Mechanic Teamed Up to Win Sailing's Greatest Race

In 2010, Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle, set out to win the America's Cup, the most prestigious race in sailing. He assembled a team of the world's best sailors, but he also knew that he needed someone who could help him understand the technical side of the boat.

The Billionaire and the Mechanic: How Larry Ellison and a Car Mechanic Teamed up to Win Sailing's Greatest Race, the Americas Cup, Twice

by Julian Guthrie

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	7671 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	434 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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That's where Scott Newkirk came in. Newkirk was a car mechanic who had never sailed before, but he had a deep understanding of engineering and mechanics. Ellison hired him to be the team's technical director, and Newkirk quickly became an indispensable member of the team.

Newkirk's contributions to the team were significant. He helped to design the boat's hull and rigging, and he developed a new system for controlling the boat's sails. He also worked closely with the sailors to help them understand the boat's capabilities and how to get the most out of it.

Ellison and Newkirk's partnership was a key factor in Oracle Team USA's victory in the 2010 America's Cup. The team won the race by a score of 2-0, and Newkirk was credited with playing a major role in the victory.

The story of Ellison and Newkirk's partnership is a fascinating one that shows how two people from very different backgrounds can come together to achieve a common goal. It's a story about teamwork, innovation, and the power of human ingenuity.

The Early Years

Larry Ellison was born in New York City in 1944. He dropped out of college and moved to California in the 1960s, where he worked as a computer programmer. In 1977, he co-founded Oracle, which would eventually become one of the largest software companies in the world.

Scott Newkirk was born in San Diego in 1963. He dropped out of high school and started working as a car mechanic. In the early 1990s, he started his own business, Newkirk Engineering, which specialized in designing and building high-performance race cars.

Ellison and Newkirk met in 2009, when Ellison was looking for a technical director for his America's Cup team. Newkirk was initially hesitant to take the job, but Ellison eventually persuaded him to come on board.

The America's Cup

The America's Cup is the oldest and most prestigious race in sailing. It was first held in 1851, and it has been won by some of the most famous sailors in history, including Sir Francis Chichester, Dennis Conner, and Russell Coutts.

The race is held every three years, and it takes place on a course that is approximately 24 miles long. The boats that compete in the race are called AC72s, and they are the fastest and most technologically advanced sailboats in the world.

In 2010, Oracle Team USA was one of the favorites to win the America's Cup. The team had a strong lineup of sailors, and it was backed by Ellison's deep pockets.

The Race

The 2010 America's Cup was held in San Francisco Bay. Oracle Team USA faced off against Alinghi, a team from Switzerland. The race was close, but Oracle Team USA eventually won by a score of 2-0.

Newkirk's contributions to Oracle Team USA's victory were significant. He helped to design the boat's hull and rigging, and he developed a new system for controlling the boat's sails. He also worked closely with the sailors to help them understand the boat's capabilities and how to get the most out of it.

The Legacy

Oracle Team USA's victory in the 2010 America's Cup was a major triumph for Ellison and Newkirk. It was a victory for teamwork, innovation, and the power of human ingenuity.

The story of Ellison and Newkirk's partnership is a fascinating one that shows how two people from very different backgrounds can come together to achieve a common goal. It's a story that will inspire anyone who dreams of achieving great things.

The Billionaire and the Mechanic: How Larry Ellison and a Car Mechanic Teamed up to Win Sailing's Greatest Race, the Americas Cup, Twice

by Julian Guthrie

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	7671 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	434 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE