America's Cup: Agreement signed three weeks after CEO spat

The America's Cup on display in the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, flanked by the two Challenger trophies won by Emirates Team New Zealand in the 2013 and 2017 America's Cup regattas © Richard Gladwell / Sail-World.com

Three weeks after Emirates Team New Zealand issued a statement accusing then World Sailing's CEO, Andy Hunt of "attempting to circumvent the [negotiation ] process by contacting the New Zealand Government" the parties have announced the signing an agreement which will cover World Sailing's sanction of the event, and the fees paid to the World body for its permission.

Six days after the publication of the ETNZ statement, World Sailing announced Hunt's resignation.

In their statement citing Hunt's interference Emirates Team New Zealand's spokesman advised that negotiations with the "Board of World Sailing for the America's Cup to be a sanctioned event have been satisfactorily concluded on behalf of the Challenger of Record/Defender.

The statement issued on October 31, 2019 by World Sailing confirms that the formal agreement between the world body and CoR/D has been formally signed.

The amount of the Sanction Fee is believed to be in the vicinity of previous Cups which are about USD$1million.

While World Sailing are allowing its certified officials to be used for Umpiring and Race Management, CoR/D will be have appointed and will covering the cost of the three man Arbitration Panel who will have authority over off-the water matters with 13 function points being set out in the Protocol. The Arbitration Panel does not have authority over disputes involving the Racing Rules or the AC75 Class Rule.

Emirates Team New Zealand returns to her base in Auckland after a short training session - October 31, 2019 - photo © Richard Gladwell / Sail-World.com

The official statement issued in Bermuda by World Sailing reads:

World Sailing, the world governing body of the sport, and the Defender and Challenger of Record of the 36th America’s Cup presented by Prada have reached agreement for the next edition of the America’s Cup.

The agreement was signed at the World Sailing Annual Conference in Bermuda, where Emirates Team New Zealand representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron won the 35th edition in emphatic fashion.

Signing the agreement, World Sailing President Kim Andersen said, "As one of the pinnacle events within the sport, it is vital that World Sailing and the Defender and Challenger of Record work collaboratively to ensure a fair competition on the water.

"We have worked closely with Grant Dalton and Laurent Esquier on this agreement which will ensure the America’s Cup is delivered to the high standard the sailing community has come to expect. We look forward to continuing and strengthening our relationship with both the Defender and Challenger to ensure a memorable competition for fans of our sport."

The agreement sees the America’s Cup re-established as a member of World Sailing’s family of Special Events. World Sailing will continue its role in ensuring the fairness and integrity of the America’s Cup through the appointment of Race Officials, the approval of the specialist Racing Rules of Sailing (America’s Cup Edition) and management of the anti-doping programme.

World Sailing, the Defender and Challenger of Record will also work together on implementing sustainability programmes throughout the Cup, Prada Cup Challenger Selection Series and other preliminary events. The organisations will also work closely together on promoting and enhancing the media coverage of the sport globally.

Commenting on the continuing partnership between World Sailing and the Defender, Grant Dalton, CEO of America’s Cup Events said, "For a sailing event of the magnitude of the America’s Cup, there is no end of detail which needs to be organised.

"But one of the most important foundations is to work with World Sailing to put in place the sanctioning agreement to help govern the rules on the water, which we are pleased to have now achieved with them.

"The agreement and terms are in line with previous America’s Cup cycles and we are looking forward to maintaining the long standing and valued relationship with World Sailing."

Laurent Esquier, CEO of Challenger of Record 36 – the organisation responsible for organising the America’s Cup World Series, Christmas Race, and the Prada Cup Challenger Series – thanked the World Sailing President for making the sanctioning agreement possible.

"This agreement is a significant milestone in this 36th cycle of the America’s Cup and we are grateful for Kim Andersen’s unwavering support in bringing it to fruition," Esquier said.

"As a World Sailing Special Event we have access to a vast pool of experience and expertise within the World Sailing organisation. We look forward to working closely with Kim and his team to deliver exciting world class competition at all the events in this 36th America’s Cup cycle."

As part of the agreement, World Sailing has confirmed the appointment of Richard Slater (AUS) as the Chief Umpire of the 36th America’s Cup. Slater continues this role from the 35th America’s Cup and will lead a team of World Sailing International Umpires, afloat and ashore, throughout the next two years as the Cup implements electronic officiating and the well-established High Speed rules edition of the Racing Rules of Sailing.

The first event covered by the agreement will be the first America's Cup World Series Event to be held in Cagliari, Sardinia April 2020 followed by two other ACWS events, before the America's Cup and its preliminaries get underway in Auckland, ahead of the Match on March 6, 2021