Latest news with #GrantDalton
RNZ News
5 days ago
- 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.'
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.'
RNZ News
15-05-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Morning Report Essentials for Friday 16 May 2025
children sport 5 minutes ago In today's episode, the Auditor General has issued a scathing assessment of Oranga Tamariki's procurement and contracting practices last year, after a day of uncertainty, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky says he's sending a team to Istanbul for peace talks with a Russian delegation, the next America's Cup will be hosted by the Italian city of Naples. America's Cup Defender Team New Zealand chief executive, Grant Dalton, made the announcement on Thursday night, the Black Ferns will face off against defending Pacific Four champions Canada this Saturday, we have our weekly Political Panel and Kerry-Anne Walsh brings us the latest from Australia.
