Murray returns as America's Cup regatta director

Published Dec. 18, 2014 6:47 p.m. ET

foxsports

HAMILTON, Bermuda (AP) Australian yachtsman Iain Murray, who helped guide the last America's Cup through the aftermath of a sailor's death, is returning as regatta director.

Murray was hired by the six teams registered for the 2017 America's Cup and has been on the job since Dec. 1. An announcement wasn't made until Thursday.

Murray came up with dozens of safety recommendations for the 2013 America's Cup after British sailor Andrew Simpson was killed when Artemis Racing's catamaran crumpled during a training run on San Francisco Bay.

Murray had been head of Team Australia until it withdrew as Challenger of Record last summer because of the staggering cost of participating.

Two-time defending champion Oracle Team USA moved the competition from San Francisco to Bermuda.