The Billionaire and the Mechanic

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

By: Julian Guthrie

Narrated by: Mark Ashby

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.

©2013 Julian Guthrie (P)2013 Audible, Inc.

fiery spirits of racing energy

loved the book, action throughout. telling of the big egos and high stakes of ocean racing

Type A rich guy and oh yeah some blue collar schmo

Meh. I was expecting more of a story of two unlikely partners each having something special that combined to make them win. Instead this is a story about a rich guy spending money for years until he wins. Ok story but it isnt the underdog overcomes against all odds story i expected.

Great story

Enjoyed the story from start to finish. Has a nice mix of business, ego, and sailing.

Engaging and well written

This was a very compelling storyline for me as a sailor but I was dragged away too many by parts of the 'Ellison Story' that were unrelated to sailing . I wasn't looking for his biography, but more about the sailing and how the cup was won back. The sailing and regatta stories were excellent. Larry Ellison's personal story was good and well written, so I wouldn't deter anyone from reading this book as it is.

Fantastic Story

What made the experience of listening to The Billionaire and the Mechanic the most enjoyable?

If you are a sailor, want to become one or want to understand the America's cup, this book is a must read. Very sorry that I am done with it as it made my 2hr round trip to and from work, so short!

What other book might you compare The Billionaire and the Mechanic to and why?

Have you listened to any of Mark Ashby’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, hard to put down