America’s Cup: When will Stars + Stripes Team USA concede?
Published on September 2nd, 2020
The America’s Cup Arbitration Panel is called on to settle off-the-water disputes between the sailing teams and so far the panel has issued decisions in 10 cases ahead of the 36th America’s Cup to be held in Auckland next year.
But while an earlier ruling gave cash-strapped Stars + Stripes Team USA a lifeline by extending entry payment terms, the panel’s latest decision could have landed the biggest blow yet.
Earlier last month the panel chaired by Australian lawyer David Tillett, with retired New Zealand lawyer Graham McKenzie and Switzerland-based lawyer Henry Peter, ruled that the constructed-in-country clause would prevent this challenging team from borrowing a boat from the other challengers or the defenders – Team New Zealand – to go racing.
Despite this defeat, and despite showing no other sign of activity, Stars + Stripes Team USA has yet to officially withdraw from their pursuit of sport’s oldest international trophy. However, without a boat of their own, they are quickly running out of options with the first required race now three months away.
While Tillett would like to see all four challengers – including Italy’s Luna Rossa, INEOS Team UK and American Magic – make the start line, he concedes after the latest ruling it is now unlikely. But when will Stars + Stripes Team USA concede?
Event details – Facebook – Instagram
Source: RNZ, Scuttlebutt
Details: www.americascup.com
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• Malta Altus Challenge (MLT) – WITHDRAWN
• Stars + Stripes Team USA (USA)
• DutchSail (NED) – WITHDRAWN
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
Youth America’s Cup Competition (CANCELLED)
• February 18-23, 2021
• March 1-5, 2021
• March 8-12, 2021
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