America’s Cup: Up your relaxation game

If we had a dime for every marketing professional that sent us a press release promoting this or that, we’d have a lot of dimes. They’re all looking for free advertising and most go straight to the trash while a few get scanned over before deleted.

It does get tiring to see companies spend money on these door bangers instead of just buying ad space with us, but every once in a while one of these product pimps gets lucky.

Amid the gazillion America’s Cup sponsor promos we receive, there finally was something we could get our hands around… literally. Most of the AC releases are so deep in the weeds of technology to be more befitting of space travel, but this update quenches our thirst for better days ahead:
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Regatta Craft Mixers, a leading producer of all natural craft mixers, is proud to announce the brand has signed as the official craft mixer of New York Yacht Club American Magic, an official challenger for the 36th America’s Cup.

This timely partnership will serve to enhance the on-site experiences of participants at American Magic hospitality programs and events in the chase for the coveted Auld Mug while supporting Regatta Craft Mixers’ ability to showcase its products to sailors and sailing enthusiasts.

In addition, Regatta will sponsor Tucker Thompson’s 24-event speaker series to showcase the partnership.

Thompson, renowned sailing commentator and Host of the 35th America’s Cup, will be sharing favorite America’s Cup stories as well as news from the 36th America’s Cup, a look at the new AC75s and exclusive information specifically from New York Yacht Club’s team American Magic.

Regatta Craft Mixers will be the exclusive mixer brand served at Thompson’s series events throughout the country from Newport, RI to Newport Beach, CA.

“Regatta shares our passion and DNA for this great sport, while offering our fans and associates the opportunity to up their relaxation game by adding Regatta mixers to their cocktail repertoire,” reports Rob Ouellette, Chief Operating Officer for American Magic.
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Finally, an America’s Cup team connecting with something we can relate to.

36th America’s Cup
In addition to Challenges from Italy, USA, and Great Britain that were accepted during the initial entry period (January 1 to June 30, 2018), eight additional Notices of Challenge were received by the late entry deadline on November 30, 2018. Of those eight submittals, entries from Malta, USA, and the Netherlands were also accepted. Here’s the list:

Defender:
• Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL)

Challengers:
• Luna Rossa (ITA) – Challenger of Record
• American Magic (USA)
• INEOS Team UK (GBR)
• Malta Altus Challenge (MLT) – WITHDRAW
• Stars + Stripes Team USA (USA)
• DutchSail (NED) – WITHDRAW

Of the three late entries, only Stars+Stripes USA remains committed, but they still must complete the entry fee payment process before they will be eligible to race. They have allegedly made their initial payment but as a late entry challenger under the Protocol, they also have a liability to pay a US$1million late entry fee due in installments by October 1, 2019. However, it is not yet confirmed if they have paid the fee, nor is there any knowledge of a boat being actively built or sailing team training.

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 (DELAYED)
✔ 2nd half of 2019: 2 x America’s Cup World Series events (CANCELLED)
October 1, 2019: US$1million late entry fee deadline (NOT KNOWN)
February 1, 2020: Boat 2 can be launched (DELAYED)
April 23-26, 2020: First (1/3) America’s Cup World Series event in Cagliari, Sardinia
June 4-7, 2020 – Second (2/3) America’s Cup World Series event in Portsmouth, England
December 17-20 – Third (3/3) America’s Cup World Series event in Auckland, New Zealand
January and February 2021: The PRADA Cup Challenger Selection Series
March 2021: The America’s Cup Match

AC75 launch dates:
September 6 – Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), Boat 1
September 10 – American Magic (USA), Boat 1; actual launch date earlier but not released
October 2 – Luna Rossa (ITA), Boat 1
October 4 – INEOS Team UK (GBR), Boat 1

Details: www.americascup.com