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

by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com on 3 Apr 2015 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)