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NZ Herald
12-08-2025
- Sport
- NZ Herald
America's Cup: What new protocol means for Peter Burling, challengers and Team New Zealand
ETNZ chief executive Grant Dalton said the nationality rule was a point of contention in building the protocol, but compromises had to be made. 'I have to say I'm still probably not even that convinced or totally convinced, but you've got to make compromises where you've got to make compromises and that was one of them,' Dalton said. The non-nationals rule means the likes of Peter Burling and Josh Junior, who have signed with Italian syndicate Luna Rossa, could be on board for the challenger come racing. New America's Cup nationality rules would allow former Team New Zealand helmsman Peter Burling to sail for Luna Rossa in 2027. Photos / ETNZ, Luna Rossa He said former ETNZ helmsman Burling was not a factor in his thinking around that rule, however. 'No, because I don't know whether Pete will be sailing. I don't know because I know Luna Rossa has got these two young hotshots. They've got the Tuke and Burling of 2017, and they're good, those young guys. I think Luna Rossa will bring those guys forward. 'Pete is pretty committed to SailGP, which was certainly one of the issues and reasons he's not with us here now. 'I have no idea what their plans are. But what I do know is Team New Zealand is a complete team and has been a complete team. What do they say? A team of champions, not a champion team.' ETNZ have confirmed one non-national at this point, with British sailor Chris Draper announced for their core group in May. A change in nationality rules and a female sailor being on board weren't the only changes to the make-up of teams on the water. The drop in crew members from eight to five comes at the expense of power units, with cyclors to be replaced by batteries. A sixth person will be on board, with a spot reserved for guests to witness the action first-hand. Sir Ben Ainslie and Grant Dalton spoke to media in Auckland after confirming the protocol for the 38th America's Cup. Photo / Dean Purcell This isn't the first time the America's Cup has featured such a position, with the 18th man a feature of the 2007 cup. The spot for the 2027 regatta is expected to feature VIPs, sponsors, media, influencers and dignitaries. It's a move made to maximise commercial, media and fan engagement, with the aim of reaching out to a younger demographic in the next cycle. These were among a host of changes ushered in by the new protocol, alongside the introduction of the America's Cup Partnership, which will give teams equal authority in their responsibility for organising and managing the event's on- and off-water format. In addition, the partnership will regulate the development, protection and commercialisation of media and commercial rights. There will also be more sailing in the cycle, and a cost cap of $147 million. 'This will be judged in 20 years,' Dalton said of the new protocol. 'This is not something that will just be here today and gone tomorrow. This is a change and the ultimate test will be what does the America's Cup look like in 20 years' time? Has it grown to be this massive huge thing on a time scale of every two years, or what? 'One thing is for sure: unless we had done something, it wouldn't have had its opportunity to grow.' Key features of the protocol for the 38th America's Cup Establishment of the America's Cup Partnership, giving teams equal authority. The body will be responsible for organising and managing the event's on- and off-water format and will oversee the development, protection and commercialisation of media and commercial rights. Two non-nationals will be allowed to sail on board. Crews are reduced from eight to five sailors. One of those five sailors must be a woman. The Youth and Women's America's Cups will continue. Teams will have a cost cap of $147m and all existing teams must use the same AC75 hull sailed in the last edition if available. New teams will be allowed to acquire an existing hull or build a new one. There will be up to four preliminary regattas contested on AC40s; three in 2026 and one in early 2027. All teams will be required to enter two boats in these, with one crewed by women and youth sailors. The group stage of the challenger series will feature both fleet and match racing in a revamped race format. Entries for the cup open on August 19. Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.
Winnipeg Free Press
12-08-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
New America's Cup protocol sees female sailors, battery power in 'seismic change' for the Auld Mug
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — New rules for the America's Cup sailing regatta announced Tuesday have been described as a seismic moment for the historic event and the 'boldest change in 174 years of the Cup.' Crews competing in the 38th Cup regatta in Naples, Italy in July of 2027 will comprise five members, including at least one woman. Under new criteria, at least two members of each crew, including a female, must be nationals of each team's country of origin. Each 76-foot America's Cup boat will also carry a sixth 'guest' crew member who could be a celebrity, influencer, media representative or sponsor. The America's Cup will now be contested every two years and the protocol or governing document for the event now establishes a system of governance under which all competing teams will have equal responsibility for organizing the event on and off the water and for the control of media and commercial rights. Most functions of the boats will now be powered by batteries, rather than the brute strength of their crews. The moves to modernize the Cup have mostly been well received by competitors and key shareholders. 'As the founding Trustee of the America's Cup, we are completely supportive of the move to modernize the oldest sporting trophy in the world,' said Jay Cross, commodore of the New York Yacht Club. The NYYC was the first to win the America's Cup when its schooner America — from which the trophy takes its name — beat 15 yachts representing Britain's Royal Yacht Squadron in a race around the Isle of Wight in 1851. The United States held the trophy until 1983, when the challenger Australia II ended the streak. Team New Zealand has dominated the recent regattas. 'As the three-time successive winner and defender of the America's Cup and along with the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron as current Trustee, we feel the responsibility to continue to drive the growth of the America's Cup event,' Team New Zealand chief executive Grant Dalton said. 'Although the America's Cup is the oldest trophy in international sport and the pinnacle of sailing, its Achilles heel has always been its lack of continuity,' he said. 'So this transformation now gives all teams collective stewardship and we are introducing a new executive management team to be headed up by a new independent CEO.' In a move to contain costs, a cap of 75 million Euros ($87 million) has been imposed on each team competing in 2027. Teams returning from the last America's Cup will be required to retain the same hulls while new teams will have to either acquire an AC75 hull or build to the same specifications. 'This is a seismic moment for the America's Cup,' Athena Racing team principal Ben Ainslie said. Athena Racing is the Challenger of Record which develops the protocol in partnership with the defender. 'The partnership agreement fundamentally reshapes the governance and organization of the event,' Ainslie said. 'The teams and yacht clubs share a vision to make the America's Cup more inclusive, compelling and financially sustainable. 'This new model marks a unified commitment to that vision. I am excited for the future of the sport.' Tuesday's announcement follows a fractious development process for the protocol during which Athena Racing and the American and Swiss challengers criticized Team New Zealand's management of the event. ___ AP sports:
RNZ News
29-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Alinghi could rejoin as America's Cup challenger, but slams Team NZ for lack of consultation
Team New Zealand chief executive Grant Dalton presents Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni with a scale model of its 2024 boat, Taihoro, at a function in Rome, 27 May, 2025. Photo: Ian Roman / America's Cup/Photosport Alinghi have hinted they could rejoin the America's Cup, but have slated Team New Zealand for celebrating the announcement of Naples as the 2027 host city without agreeing on a protocol with the Challenger of Record. Team NZ have responded saying they had complied with the cup's Deed of Gift' in choosing Naples. The Swiss syndicate announced in April that they would not compete in Naples , citing a lack of accountability and transparency from Team NZ as Defender of the America's Cup over the future of the event. Alinghi had now suggested they could take part in Naples, if Team NZ and the Challenger of Record, Britain's Athena Racing, could agree on a protocol that sets out "an equitable sporting framework" for the event. But the Swiss syndicate called into question Team NZ's consultation with Athena. At a function in Naples on Thursday, Team NZ celebrated the announcement of the Italian city with local and central government officials. That drew an angry riposte from Alinghi, who won the cup in 2003 and 2007. "While we wholeheartedly welcome the choice of Naples as a perfect host venue for the Cup in 2027, our concerns were deepened yesterday when Team New Zealand celebrated the announcement of the host venue at an event in the city,'' Alinghi said in a statement. "They had no right to do so without first having agreed a protocol with the Challenger of Record, Athena Racing, who were not consulted on the host venue arrangements which critically impact all challenging teams with regards to cost and logistics. "In signing a commercial deal with the host city that includes the Challenger Selection Series of races for the Louis Vuitton Cup, Team New Zealand have sold something they do not own the rights to. This is not acceptable." Team NZ race Alinghi in the America's Cup preliminary regatta in Barcelona, 2024. Photo: AFP In response, Team NZ said they did have the right to choose the venue. "The Defender, as per the Deed of Gift has the right and responsibility to choose the venue and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with the Challenger of Record at the conclusion of the 37th America's Cup also gives that full right and obligation to the Defender," Team NZ said in a statement. "The Defender remains committed to work with the teams to create a partnership for the future America's Cups." The syndicate then added a further clarification. "The MOU with the Challenger of Record also says: "The Venue for the Match and for the preceding CSS will be determined and announced by the AC38 Defender within eight months of the AC37 Final Race. The final dates for the Match and the preceding CSS will be announced within a further two months of the Venue announcement." The Alinghi salvo follows criticism from both Ben Ainslie's Athena Racing and the American Magic syndicate last week about a lack of transparency over the protocol for the next cup. American Magic cast doubt over its participation in Naples, but Team NZ responded saying the claims made were "unreasonable" and they were working closely with all teams to strengthen the future of the event. Alinghi said growing concerns about the cup's governance had led to Société Nautique de Genève raising questions with the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron about the administration of the competition. "Like Athena Racing and American Magic, we believe that a successful America's Cup hinges on openness, trust and a shared understanding among all participants. "We remain hopeful that a protocol between the Defender and the Challenger of Record can be agreed that establishes an equitable sporting framework for the racing and a commercially viable event for all America's Cup stakeholders. "If this can be achieved, then Alinghi is ready to explore ways that we can be part of that future, especially in the wonderful city of Naples in 2027, a truly fitting setting for the world's greatest sailing competition." Team NZ chief executive Grant Dalton had been at functions in both Rome and Naples this week, celebrating the announcement of the host city. At the Rome function, he presented Italy's prime minister Giorgia Meloni with a scale model of Taihoro, Team NZ's winning boat in last year's edition of the Cup. In Naples, he referred to Italy's Luna Rossa syndicate as "our dear friends and closest competitors" and said the Italian government had been "amazing to deal with from the very start". Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
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.
NZ Herald
22-05-2025
- Business
- NZ Herald
America's Cup 2027: Ben Ainslie criticises Team New Zealand over Naples venue
Grant Dalton, New Zealand's chief executive, 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'. 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 it would challenge independent of Ainslie and the RYS, but still in partnership with Mercedes F1. But it 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'. 'Sporting framework does not yet exist' In their statement, Athena Racing said they had no issue with Naples as a venue, but said it was too soon to commit to one. '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.' American Magic hint at pulling out 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 team-mates, 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-honoured trust.'
