Latest news with #BenAinslie
NZ Herald
25-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
America's Cup: Team New Zealand face power struggle over new protocol
THREE KEY FACTS You don't have to look very far to see the motivation behind the America's Cup challengers having a crack at Emirates Team New Zealand: power. Now Team New Zealand have published the draft final protocol, which went to the Challenger of Record, Sir Ben Ainslie's Athena Racing,
NZ Herald
23-05-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
America's Cup: Emirates Team New Zealand respond to Athena Racing, American Magic criticism
'The latest version of the protocol went back to the challenger of record, Athena Racing, 10 days ago, prior to the announcement of Naples. The defender has not had any feedback back from the challenger of record on the latest version other than acknowledgement it had been well received by the teams.' Athena Racing, led by Sir Ben Ainslie, accused their rivals of a 'concerning lack of transparency' and warned there were still 'significant barriers' to overcome as they worked towards a 'fair sporting protocol' for the event. The British team said that without the protocol being locked in, any confirmation of Naples at the host venue was 'premature, at best'. In part of a foundational agreement with the challenger of record, Team NZ said the venue was due to be confirmed before June 20 (NZT) to give challengers clarity around one of the most important parts of the regatta. The host venue was locked in and confirmed more than a month before the deadline. 'Ahead of time, the teams now have that knowledge and understanding with the exciting announcement of Naples, Italy, in 2027. 'In contrast to the statement by Athena Racing, all teams have already been offered full access and transparency to the host venue agreement (HVA), which was signed just last week, upon their signing of a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). Such a requirement is standard practice with any contract that contains commercial sensitivities. 'The defender is yet to receive the returned NDAs from Athena Racing as challenger of record.'
RNZ News
22-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
America's Cup challengers slam Team NZ's lack of 'transparency'
Ben Ainslie Photo: photosport Two challengers have accused defenders Team New Zealand of lacking "transparency" around the naming of Naples to host the next America's Cup. Sir Ben Ainslie's Athena Racing says "significant barriers" still remained to agreeing a "fair sporting protocol" for the event, without which any confirmation of the southern Italian city as the 2027 host venue was "premature, at best". Another challenger, American Magic, also cited "transparency" concerns and says their participation in the 2027 event is in serious doubt. Athena Racing represent the Royal Yacht Squadron Ltd, the Challenger of Record for the 38th America's Cup and negotiates the event protocol on behalf of all challengers to make the event fair and commercially viable. Grant Dalton Photo: © Chris Cameron 2013 In a statement, it said Team NZ are guilty of an "ongoing lack of transparency" after seven months of negotiations. "Despite recent progress being made, significant barriers remain," the statement said. "Typically, a host agreement has only followed the publication of an agreed protocol. In the absence of an agreed protocol, it is therefore difficult to understand what exactly has been agreed between Team New Zealand and the Government of Italy as the sporting framework and details of the event do not yet exist. "Any hosting agreement will bind challengers to financial and organisational obligations, as well as potential liabilities, making its disclosure fundamental to teams' participation and commitment to the 38th America's Cup." Athena Racing said it had no reason to doubt Naples would be a fine venue, it felt "transparency and cooperation between the defender and all challengers is vital for the Cup's future and therefore the recent announcements from the defender are premature, at best." Luna Rossa in action against American Magic, Barcelona, 2024 Photo: PHOTOSPORT American Magic followed up with its own statement, saying Team NZ had been "unwilling to commit to the transparency and cooperation necessary" ahead of the Naples announcement. The syndicate which represented the New York Yacht Club at last year's regatta in Barcelona, said it will reconsider its involvement. "Without the meaningful changes they (Athena) are advocating, it is difficult to see how NYYC American Magic can participate in the 38th America's Cup." Team NZ has been contacted by RNZ for comment. The Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup Preliminary Regatta in Barcelona, Spain. Team New Zealand and Alinghi. 2024. Photo: AFP Swiss syndicate Alinghi said last month said it won't contest the next regatta, also citing transparency concerns, although that was unrelated to the Naples announcement, which had yet to be made. "We would have liked to have seen more accountability, more transparency, and new opportunities to compete not only individually, but also as a group," it's team statement said. "In this way, all together, we could have produced a commercially viable event that would have attracted global television coverage, viewers and sponsors." Team NZ chief executive Grant Dalton this week said he questioned whether Alinghi was serious about pulling out of the next challenge and suggested it could yet line up at the start line in Naples.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Fresh America's Cup row erupts as Ben Ainslie accuses rivals of ‘lack of transparency'
A fresh row has erupted in the America's Cup with Britain's challenger of record, led by Ben Ainslie, accusing defenders Team New Zealand of a 'concerning lack of transparency' over the selection of Naples as host venue for the 38th Cup in 2027. In a statement, Athena Racing warned that 'significant barriers' still remained to agreeing a 'fair sporting protocol' for the event, without which any confirmation of Naples was 'premature, at best'. Athena's statement, released on Thursday afternoon, was swiftly followed by one from the US challenger, American Magic, who warned that they were 'at a crossroads' as a team and stressed that their participation was also contingent on a 'fair protocol' being agreed. It is understood that other potential challengers are concerned by the lack of clarity around the next Cup. New Zealand chief executive Grant Dalton last week announced Naples as the host venue for the 38th America's Cup, describing it as a 'spectacular' venue and adding that further details on the planning of the event 'would be announced in due course'. View this post on Instagram A post shared by America's Cup (@americascup) As well as clarification on the protocol and the class rules, teams are still waiting to learn when in 2027 the Cup will take place, where in Naples the bases will be, how the allocation of bases will work, and what other liabilities they may have. Athena Racing, who race under the banner of the Royal Yacht Squadron, lost backer Sir Jim Ratcliffe earlier this year after the Ineos co-founder and Ainslie fell out over the future of the team. Like other challengers, they are trying to attract new sponsorship for the next Cup, which is difficult without any certainty about what it will look like. Ineos initially said they would challenge independent of Ainslie and the RYS, but still in partnership with Mercedes F1. But they pulled out of the running last month, saying the six-month delay to agreeing a protocol had 'undermined their ability to prepare for the next Cup'. In their statement, Athena Racing said they had no issue with Naples as a venue per se, but said it was too soon to commit to a venue. 'While we have every confidence that Naples can be a magnificent host for the America's Cup, we believe that transparency and cooperation between the Defender and all Challengers is vital for the Cup's future and therefore the recent announcements from the Defender are premature, at best.' Athena added that they were 'concerned by the ongoing lack of transparency…and the impact this is having on the main goal of negotiating a fair sporting protocol.' 'For seven months Athena Racing has been in negotiations on a protocol for the 38th America's Cup with the Defender, Team New Zealand, on behalf of all the challengers with the aim to deliver a fair sporting framework and commercially viable event for all America's Cup stakeholders. Despite recent progress being made, significant barriers remain. 'Typically, a host agreement has only followed the publication of an agreed protocol. In the absence of an agreed protocol, it is therefore difficult to understand what exactly has been agreed between Team New Zealand and the Government of Italy as the sporting framework and details of the event do not yet exist. 'Any hosting agreement will bind challengers to financial and organisational obligations, as well as potential liabilities, making its disclosure fundamental to teams' participation and commitment to the 38th America's Cup.' In a separate statement, American Magic said they were of the same opinion as Athena Racing. 'As we look ahead to the 38th America's Cup, we find ourselves at a crossroads and feel that we must provide an update to our teammates, partners, donors, and supporters,' they said. 'Despite the best efforts of the Challengers - led by the Challenger of Record - to negotiate in good faith, the Defender has been unwilling to commit to the transparency and cooperation necessary to secure a fair Protocol. Without the structural framework necessary for challengers to pursue viable campaigns, it will remain extremely difficult to unlock the America's Cup's potential as a modern, globally relevant sports property. 'We continue to support the Challenger of Record in their efforts to secure an open and balanced Protocol, as without the meaningful changes they are advocating, it is difficult to see how NYYC American Magic can participate in the 38th America's Cup. 'While we remain committed to the America's Cup and would welcome the opportunity to compete under a fair protocol, we are equally committed to integrity, transparency, and the long-term health of the institution that is the America's Cup. We urge the Defender, as Trustee, to work in good faith with the Challenger of Record to restore the elements of fair competition, transparency, and respect for all sailors, globally, who are ultimately the beneficiaries of this time-honored trust.'
Telegraph
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
Fresh America's Cup row erupts as Ben Ainslie accuses rivals of ‘lack of transparency'
A fresh row has erupted in the America's Cup with Britain's challenger of record, led by Ben Ainslie, accusing defenders Team New Zealand of a 'concerning lack of transparency' over the selection of Naples as host venue for the 38th Cup in 2027. In a statement, Athena Racing warned that 'significant barriers' still remained to agreeing a 'fair sporting protocol' for the event, without which any confirmation of Naples was 'premature, at best'. Athena's statement, released on Thursday afternoon, was swiftly followed by one from the US challenger, American Magic, who warned that they were 'at a crossroads' as a team and stressed that their participation was also contingent on a 'fair protocol' being agreed. It is understood that other potential challengers are concerned by the lack of clarity around the next Cup. New Zealand chief executive Grant Dalton last week announced Naples as the host venue for the 38th America's Cup, describing it as a 'spectacular' venue and adding that further details on the planning of the event 'would be announced in due course'. View this post on Instagram A post shared by America's Cup (@americascup) As well as clarification on the protocol and the class rules, teams are still waiting to learn when in 2027 the Cup will take place, where in Naples the bases will be, how the allocation of bases will work, and what other liabilities they may have. Athena Racing, who race under the banner of the Royal Yacht Squadron, lost backer Sir Jim Ratcliffe earlier this year after the Ineos co-founder and Ainslie fell out over the future of the team. Like other challengers, they are trying to attract new sponsorship for the next Cup, which is difficult without any certainty about what it will look like. Ineos initially said they would challenge independent of Ainslie and the RYS, but still in partnership with Mercedes F1. But they pulled out of the running last month, saying the six-month delay to agreeing a protocol had 'undermined their ability to prepare for the next Cup'. In their statement, Athena Racing said they had no issue with Naples as a venue per se, but said it was too soon to commit to a venue. 'While we have every confidence that Naples can be a magnificent host for the America's Cup, we believe that transparency and cooperation between the Defender and all Challengers is vital for the Cup's future and therefore the recent announcements from the Defender are premature, at best.' Athena added that they were 'concerned by the ongoing lack of transparency…and the impact this is having on the main goal of negotiating a fair sporting protocol.' 'For seven months Athena Racing has been in negotiations on a protocol for the 38th America's Cup with the Defender, Team New Zealand, on behalf of all the challengers with the aim to deliver a fair sporting framework and commercially viable event for all America's Cup stakeholders. Despite recent progress being made, significant barriers remain. 'Typically, a host agreement has only followed the publication of an agreed protocol. In the absence of an agreed protocol, it is therefore difficult to understand what exactly has been agreed between Team New Zealand and the Government of Italy as the sporting framework and details of the event do not yet exist. 'Any hosting agreement will bind challengers to financial and organisational obligations, as well as potential liabilities, making its disclosure fundamental to teams' participation and commitment to the 38th America's Cup.' In a separate statement, American Magic said they were of the same opinion as Athena Racing. 'As we look ahead to the 38th America's Cup, we find ourselves at a crossroads and feel that we must provide an update to our teammates, partners, donors, and supporters,' they said. 'Despite the best efforts of the Challengers - led by the Challenger of Record - to negotiate in good faith, the Defender has been unwilling to commit to the transparency and cooperation necessary to secure a fair Protocol. Without the structural framework necessary for challengers to pursue viable campaigns, it will remain extremely difficult to unlock the America's Cup's potential as a modern, globally relevant sports property. 'We continue to support the Challenger of Record in their efforts to secure an open and balanced Protocol, as without the meaningful changes they are advocating, it is difficult to see how NYYC American Magic can participate in the 38th America's Cup. 'While we remain committed to the America's Cup and would welcome the opportunity to compete under a fair protocol, we are equally committed to integrity, transparency, and the long-term health of the institution that is the America's Cup. We urge the Defender, as Trustee, to work in good faith with the Challenger of Record to restore the elements of fair competition, transparency, and respect for all sailors, globally, who are ultimately the beneficiaries of this time-honored trust.'
