America’s Cup: Spithill changes teams

(March 13, 2018) – After reports began leaking about Jimmy Spithill’s America’s Cup plans, Team Luna Rossa Challenge make it official today by announcing the 2-ime America’s Cup winning skipper would be joining the Challenger of Record for the 36th America’s Cup in 2021.

After Spithill declared in September that Oracle Team USA would return to reclaim the trophy they lost in 2017, this latest news would indicate that team owner Larry Ellison has decided to sit out of the next edition.

By Spithill signing with the Italian challenger, he joins again with team owner Patrizio Bertelli for whom he was helm during the 2007 America’s Cup in Valencia, Spain. During that challenge, Luna Rossa Challenge advanced to the 2007 Louis Vuitton Cup Finals before being defeated by Emirates Team New Zealand 5-0.

Following that event, Spithill joined Ellison and enjoyed victories in 2010 and 2013 before losing their defense of the 35th America’s Cup in Bermuda.

ENTRIES: Challenger of Record Luna Rossa claim to be negotiating with six challengers that seek to to wrestle the Auld Mug from the Kiwis in 2021. Aside from the Brits and New York Yacht Club, there is increased speculation about a Chinese challenge, a second USA syndicate, an Australian team and another Italian challenge. Full report.

WARNING: Kiwi team leader Grant Dalton warned Jimmy Spithill to watch his words in order to maintain the strong relationship between Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa. “The relationship between us and them won’t falter via that he keeps his gob shut basically!” Full report.

VENUE: Unlike Oracle Team USA, which leveraged various bidders for the right to host the America’s Cup, new defender Emirates Team New Zealand has been solely working with Auckland to devise the best plan for the team, event, city, and country. Team boss Grant Dalton comments on the latest plan for America’s Cup base location and design. Full report.

Key dates:
✔ September 28, 2017: 36th America’s Cup Protocol released
✔ November 30, 2017: AC75 Class concepts released to key stakeholders
✔ January 1, 2018: Entries for Challengers open
March 31, 2018: AC75 Class Rule published
June 30, 2018: Entries for Challengers close
August 31, 2018: Location of the America’s Cup Match and The PRADA Cup confirmed
August 31, 2018: Specific race course area confirmed
December 31, 2018: Late entries deadline
March 31, 2019: Boat 1 can be launched
2nd half of 2019: 2 x America’s Cup World Series Preliminary Events
February 1, 2020: Boat 2 can be launched
During 2020: 3 x America’s Cup World Series Preliminary Events
December 10-20, 2020: America’s Cup Christmas Race
January and February 2021: The PRADA Cup Challenger Selection Series
March 2021: The America’s Cup Match

Protocol of the 36th America’s Cup
Key Points of the Protocol
Deed of Gift