Three Challenges for 36th America’s Cup

(July 1, 2018) – The 30th of June 2018 marks the end of the initial challenging period for the 36th America’s Cup presented by Prada, which commenced on the 1st of January 2018.

The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron confirms three Challenges have been received and accepted within the terms of the Protocol of the 36th America’s Cup. The entries are in accordance with the America’s Cup Deed of Gift to challenge the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and its representative team, Emirates Team New Zealand.

The confirmed entries in order of receipt are as follows:

• Circolo della vela Sicilia (Italy), represented by Luna Rossa Challenge, the Challenger of Record
• New York Yacht Club (USA), represented by American Magic
• Royal Yacht Squadron Racing (UK), represented by INEOS TEAM UK

Interest continues from other potential challengers around the world who have until November 30, 2018 to enter, as per the Late Entry period defined in the Protocol. Late entries are required to submit an additional fee of USD 1 million.

“We are thrilled to have three very high quality challengers confirmed for the 36th America’s Cup in Auckland,” said Steve Mair, Commodore of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. “It is going to be a fantastic spectacle with this calibre of teams and the cutting edge yachts that the world has never seen. We welcome any further challengers from the teams that we are currently in talks with.”

“It is a great honour to welcome the best teams in the world to challenge for the Prada Cup. To win the America’s Cup, one will first need to win the Prada Cup,” said Laurent Esquier, CEO of COR 36, the organisers of the America’s Cup World Series, Christmas Race and Challenger Selection Series.

MORE: Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton is in negotiations with four other teams, but has noted the announced budget by Sir Ben Ainslie’s INEOS Team UK challenge of $217 million (NZL) has hurt enthusiasm. Dalton hopes to gain two more challengers which would fill the allotment of facilities available for the 2021 competition. Full story.

Key America’s Cup 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
November 30, 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
AC75 Class Rule (v1.0)

Source: America’s Cup