Please select your home edition
Edition
X-Yachts X4.0

America's Cup- Skippers call Team New Zealand out over Class Change

by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com on 3 Apr 2015
Cascais (POR) - Americas's Cup World Series - Oracle Racing and Emirates Team NZ - Racing Day 6 - ACWS Match Racing OracleTeam USA www.oracleracing.com
Four skippers from the teams left in the 35th America's Cup have taken Emirates Team New Zealand to task over statements they claim have been made by the Kiwi team over the late change to the AC48 class for the 35th America's Cup.

The statement comes within 24 hours of the announcement of the withdrawal from the 35th America's Cup by long-standing team, Luna Rossa, after the Class of boat to be used in the 35th America's Cup was changed on the basis of a majority vote.

In the statement issued by the Italian team, who were Challenger of Record, they said in part:

Team Luna Rossa indeed considers illegitimate the procedure adopted and founded on an evident abuse of process by surreptitious use of procedures to modify the Protocol in order to overturn the Class Rule, which instead requires the unanimity of the teams entered.

This is an attempt to introduce boats that are substantially monotypes and in total contrast with the ultra-centennial tradition of the America’s Cup, not to mention a two-month extension period to introduce further modifications to the rules, decided by the majority.


That statement seems to be in considerable variance with claims made by the four skippers in the AC Media statement.



Two America's Cup winning teams, Emirates Team NZ and Alinghi responded to the Luna Rossa withdrawal.

Team NZ CEO Grant Dalton commented on the circumstances that led to the Italian team's withdrawal:

“We are quite frankly in disbelief that the continued actions of the America’s Cup Event Authority have lead to the withdrawal of our great friends Luna Rossa. It sends a clear and unmistakable message that the self-serving manoeuvring of rules within sports oldest trophy has consequences for not only the America’s Cup but also all of sailing. “

News of the withdrawal by Luna Rossa featured as the lead item on Television NZ's prime time news and also in TV3 Click here for comment by top commentator and America's Cup historian John Rousmaniere (USA) and others.

The statement from the four skippers was received about 2200hrs NZT. Emirates Team NZ was asked by txt for a comment, but understandably did not respond immediately.


Statement from Artemis Racing, BAR, Team France, Oracle Team USA - issued from Bermuda by America's Cup Media.

We are disappointed to see how Team New Zealand are characterizing the rule changes that reflect the collective will of the America’s Cup teams.

During discussions last month, ALL six teams, including Team new Zealand, agreed on the need to change to a smaller boat to reduce costs.

While Luna Rossa supported a less dramatic change, a majority of teams agreed on what has become the America’s Cup Class, a new rule written in consultation with ALL teams, with drafts of the rule sent to ALL teams for comment and feedback.

Each team that voted for this new America's Cup Class made compromises and sacrifices to get this done for the betterment of the America’s Cup.

Taking these important decisions by a majority vote is something that was insisted upon by Luna Rossa and written into the rules of the event.

Regrettably, abiding by the results of the majority vote appears to be something neither they, nor Team New Zealand, are willing to do... unless they are part of the majority.

We hope that Team New Zealand can see a way forward, as we all have, and look forward to racing them in the Americas Cup World Series later this year.

- On behalf of Ben Ainslie (BAR), Franck Cammas (Team France), Iain Percy (Artemis Racing), Jimmy Spithill (Oracle Team USA)


Sydney Boat Show 2025 - Apply to ExhibitSwitch One DesignZhik 2024 December

Related Articles

Expanding horizons with West System Epoxy
Working on D-Class boats over the years sparked Jonathan Minnebo's love of sailing Returning to his roots, Jonathan Minnebo has broadened his sights from solely shipwright work to creating bespoke furniture and staircase design and installation.
Posted today at 6:54 am
2025 Santa Maria Cup in Annapolis, USA Day 2
Final four skippers emerge from a competitive qualifying double-round robin stage A thrilling second day of racing at the 2025 Santa Maria Cup saw the final four skippers emerge from a competitive qualifying double-round robin stage.
Posted today at 4:47 am
SailGP to Kick Off Summer in New York
With this Weekend's Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix An unforgettable weekend of high-speed, close-to-shore racing and world-class entertainment will take place this weekend when the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix takes place in front of the most famous skyline in the world.
Posted on 5 Jun
Scandinavian Gold Cup at Sopot, Poland Day 1
A slow start with very little wind The Scandinavian Gold Cup opened Thursday in Sopot, Poland, with seven 5.5 Metres competing for this historic and iconic trophy that dates back to 1922. Unfortunately, there was not enough wind to even complete one race.
Posted on 5 Jun
49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 Europeans Day 3
A six-hour bake on the water Veteran and multi-Olympic race officer Sulis was clear at the morning briefing, "Our priority is to get three races for the 49er so they can progress to the gold fleet."
Posted on 5 Jun
Galicia 52 Super Series Royal Cup Day 3
Platoon Aviation turn up the heat but don't dent American Magic Quantum Racing's lead After a disappointing first regatta of the season when they finished in an uncharacteristic last position in Saint-Tropez, the fortunes of the German flagged 2023 52 SUPER SERIES overall champions Platoon Aviation seem to have turned for the better.
Posted on 5 Jun
Diverse international fleet for 5th AEGEAN 600
The race start is a little over 1 month away In a sign that this newest of the world's 600-mile classic offshore races has reached maturity, organizers from the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club are pleased to announce yet another large international fleet will be assembled for the 2025 AEGEAN 600.
Posted on 5 Jun
America's Cup: Another sponsor signs for Italians
Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team and will accompany it as an official sponsor for the duration of the 38th America's Cup.
Posted on 5 Jun
SailGP: Media Conference concludes in New York
Skippers speak ahead of the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix The media conference ahead of the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix has concluded, without any special points being revealed, save for Brazil lending a crew member to Germany.
Posted on 5 Jun
A decade of pushing the boundaries at A+T
Celebrating 10 years of the world's best yacht instruments 2025 marks a decade of pushing the boundaries of quality and customer service in the global yachting industry for A+T Instruments.
Posted on 5 Jun