Emotion versus money vie for 37th America’s Cup

STUFF media provide the factual feeling of the Kiwi nation:

A new poll shows Kiwis strongly want Team New Zealand to defend the America’s Cup in New Zealand but are split on extra funding from the government.

Team New Zealand will reveal where the next edition of the Cup will be hosted in an announcement on September 17 with Auckland still an outside chance but battling heavyweight funding from three overseas cities with Cork in Ireland, Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, and one other venue reportedly on the short-list.

The poll, conducted by Curia Market research involving 1000 people over the age of 18 drawn randomly from 24,000 telephone numbers from August 12-17, shows 72 percent are in favor of the America’s Cup being in Auckland next time.

Only 14 percent wanted the Cup to go overseas with the rest unsure or refusing to answer the question.

The prospect of Team New Zealand defending the cup overseas came after the champion syndicate couldn’t agree to terms with the New Zealand government over funding for the event after their successful defense in Auckland in March.

Asked if they were aware the government funding offer was $31m compared to $133m for the 2021 regatta, 45 percent replied yes, with 51 percent replying no. But when they were asked if they would like to see the New Zealand government increase their offer from $31m to $100m, it was another close call.

Forty percent of the people polled supported the increased government funding to $100m with 45 percent opposed. Fifteen percent were unsure. Interestingly, 51 percent of Aucklanders involved in the survey supported increased funding, while 38 percent opposed it.

The poll was commissioned by Saunders Unsworth, a Wellington-based government relations and lobbying consultancy.

The next America’s Cup is expected to be held in 2024 and will involve the same 75-foot foiling monohulls though they are set to be modified to increase performance and reduce costs.

All of the teams involved in the 36th America’s Cup in 2021 – Team New Zealand, Team UK, Luna Rossa from Italy, and American Magic have indicated they will continue to be involved while there is the prospect of more syndicates joining them.

Editor’s note: Those are Kiwi dollars listed which translate to about .70 USD, though it is not clear whether the amounts are cash only. The government contribution for the 2021 event included significant infrastructure costs that would not be necessary for the 2024 event. Additionally, the Kiwi team is looking now to fund their team through hosting rights whereas the 2021 hosting rights were based on a value assessment of the event alone.