America's Cup: Malta Altus Challenge is withdrawn by Club
by 36th America's Cup Media 31 May 2019 14:29 AEST
31 May 2019
Royal Malta Yacht Club's challenger awaits the financial get-go © Rolex / Kurt Arrigo
The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron has advised that today they received a notice from the Royal Malta Yacht Club officially withdrawing the Malta Altus Challenge from the 36th America’s Cup.
“This is a disappointing outcome.” said Grant Dalton, “The Malta Altus Challenge had a strong foundation with some highly experienced and reputable America’s Cup personnel linked to the team.
So, for them to pull out is not just a shame for the event but also for those people that have worked so hard trying to get this challenge to the start line. We hope they will continue to build on their foundation over the next 18 months with a view to the future and challenging for the 37th America’s Cup.”
“We are wanting the Prada Cup to include as many teams as possible.” Said Laurent Esquier CEO of the Challenger of Record.
“While we have done all we can to support the Malta Altus Challenge, they haven’t been able to bring together all the layers of complexity that are needed to continue with an America’s Cup challenge. We are still guaranteed to have an exciting and highly competitive Prada Cup to select the final challenger to race against Emirates Team New Zealand in the Match.”
The two remaining late challengers, Stars + Stripes USA and DutchSail will confirm their ongoing commitment to the 36th America’s Cup presented by Prada by July 1, 2019.
In a separate statement issued on the Challenger Withdrawal by the funders of the America's Cup base development on Wynyard Edge, Auckland Council and Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment [NZ Government]:
While Malta is unable to mount a challenge for the America’s Cup, Luna Rossa, Ineos and American Magic have reaffirmed they’ll be at the start line in 2021 with Stars + Stripes USA and Dutch Sail due to confirm by 1 July. We have the critical mass of challengers we need for the 36th America’s Cup to be a great success.
Council and government investment in infrastructure for the America’s Cup will deliver a fantastic event for our whole country to enjoy. It’ll take New Zealand's sporting and technological prowess to the world and leave a lasting legacy for the people of Auckland and New Zealand in the form of a more usable and publicly accessible waterfront.