The Billionaire and the Mechanic: How Larry Ellison and a Car Mechanic Teamed Up to Win Sailing's Greatest Race, the America's Cup Author: | Language: English | ISBN:
B00D684R70 | Format: EPUB
The Billionaire and the Mechanic: How Larry Ellison and a Car Mechanic Teamed Up to Win Sailing's Greatest Race, the America's Cup Description
The America's Cup, first awarded in 1851, is the oldest trophy in international sports, and one of the most hotly contested. In 2000, Larry Ellison, co-founder and billionaire CEO of Oracle Corporation, decided to run for the coveted prize and found an unlikely partner in Norbert Bajurin, a car radiator mechanic who had recently been named Commodore of the blue collar Golden Gate Yacht Club.
Julian Guthrie's The Billionaire and the Mechanic tells the incredible story of the partnership between Larry and Norbert, their unsuccessful runs for the Cup in 2003 and 2007, and their victory in 2010. With unparalleled access to Ellison and his team, Guthrie takes readers inside the design and building process of these astonishing boats, and the management of the passionate athletes who race them. She traces the bitter rivalries between Oracle and their competitors, including Swiss billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli's Team Alinghi, and throws listeners into exhilarating races from Australia and New Zealand to Valencia, Spain.
With new television coverage and huge media, the America's Cup is poised to be bigger than ever, and The Billionaire and the Mechanic is a must-listen for anyone interested in the race or this remarkable story.
- Audible Audio Edition
- Listening Length: 10 hours and 3 minutes
- Program Type: Audiobook
- Version: Unabridged
- Publisher: Audible, Inc.
- Audible.com Release Date: June 4, 2013
- Language: English
- ASIN: B00D684R70
While I have never followed the sport of racing yachts, I have always loved the science and technology involved in the creation of these amazing machines. I picked up this book for technical information and to be wowed by the details of making the world's fastest non-motorized boats, but instead I found a beautiful story of the inner workings of an America's Cup campaign.
There was quite a bit of detail and it was obvious that much research went into the making of this not-so-short book.
The book started out by alternating the stories of Norbert(the mechanic) and Larry Ellison(the billionaire). This system kept the story moving while the background information was laid out. The stories throughout were compelling and relevant, but the initial story of the Sidney-Hobart Race is what drew me in and forced me to read the book despite it not being what I expected.
The author does a good job at explaining the intricacies and difficulties of what is happening so that the reader can truly appreciate the magnitude of the project.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in yachting, big races, or monumental undertakings.
By J. Robideau
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
Indulgent. Hyperbole in excess. Over the top. The Billionaire and the Mechanic are all these things, and yet I loved it. Do I believe Ellison took the reins in the Hobart race to save Sayonara at a critical point? Nope. But do I think he has sailed in the arena, paid his money and taken his chances? How many of us would come back after 2 losses in the Cup to finally win, then spend another fortune to make sailing more accessible to the sporting public with the spectacle of AC72s and unprecedented TV and multimedia coverage? This book gives, in albeit a slanted view, an inside perspective on it all.
Flawed, but if you're a Cup junkie you need to have this on your bookshelf. And if you're a hater, hide it in your Kindle... but still get it!
By Blake macDiarmid
The Billionaire and the Mechanic: How Larry Ellison and a Car Mechanic Teamed Up to Win Sailing's Greatest Race, the America's Cup Preview
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