America’s Cup event delay expected

The events related to the America’s Cup in Auckland are likely to be pushed out until January next year, reports Newshub.

The Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment, Auckland Council and its economic development arm, Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development (ATEED), were pushing for the America’s Cup World Series event to begin in January 2021, instead of December 2020.

ATEED CEO Nick Hill said a delay due to COVID-19 “made sense. There’s a good argument to push the event out and compress it.”

Compulsory quarantine measures would make it difficult for travelers and international media planning to travel in and out of New Zealand over Christmas, Hill said.

Auckland Council said a delay would need to be approved between the Defender of the Cup, Emirates Team New Zealand, and the Challenger of Record.

“To clarify speculation on movements of America’s Cup regatta dates, the Defender confirms there is no change in the event schedule,” Emirates Team New Zealand said in a statement.

However, a source close to the event told Newshub a one month delay was the “most likely scenario”, which would not be formally announced until July at the earliest.

Current schedule for the the defender and challengers in Auckland, New Zealand:
• December 17-20, 2020: America’s Cup World Series event
• January 15-February 22, 2021: Challenger Selection Series
• March 6-15, 2021: America’s Cup Match

Economic Development Minister Phil Twyford said COVID-19 would probably impact the schedule, but would not confirm the Government’s position on a delay.

“At this stage it is hard to know the extent to which COVID-19 will affect the Auckland events, however there is likely to be some impact,” Twyford said. “Our Government is highly motivated to ensure the 36th America’s Cup goes ahead as it will create massive economic spin-offs for New Zealand.”

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, however, it is unclear what entry payments have been made, nor is there knowledge of a boat being actively built or sailing team assembled.

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 (CANCELLED)
✔ June 4-7, 2020: Second (2/3) America’s Cup World Series event in Portsmouth, England (CANCELLED)
December 17-20, 2020: Third (3/3) America’s Cup World Series event in Auckland, New Zealand
January 15-February 22, 2021: The PRADA Cup Challenger Selection Series
March 6-15, 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