What happens if the Kiwi team win AC37?

Lessons from the 1988 America’s Cup is to have a defense plan before the final result, which Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton has been sharing if the defender is successful in the 37th America’s Cup.

New Zealander Hamish Ross, a legal advisor for America’s Cup teams in the past, notes how the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, as the Cup’s trustee and the only decision-maker, is not mentioned by Dalton, and offers his opinion of the available details:

A Two-Year Turnaround
A record short turnaround in the modern era (the last time there was two-year or less turnround was 121 years ago in 1903 – not counting the 1988 Deed match), which will do nothing for encouraging new competitors to enter a now very high-tech game with any prospect of success.

With the benefit of a design package and more time, the new French team was the first to exit this time. A short turnaround greatly benefits a defender by limiting the ability of the challenger to bridge the gap to catch up. It may save on a year’s worth of salaries, but the competition will pay a price. Of course, it’s another quicker bite at the cherry.

The Same Craft
The AC75 Class Rule is expected to get some degree of an overhaul. The sport generally is divided on the benefits of these craft. There are many fans of the current high-tech craft. Against this, the price has been the loss of a lot of Cup sailing opportunities. We are now down to almost the total number of Cup sailors across all the competing teams to one IACC yacht used up to 2007).

Speed and automation has caused the loss of traditional skills. The gap between the on-water America’s Cup and the e-America’s Cup gaming seems to be narrowing with automation. All we now see of the sailors (the real hero’s of the competition) are the tops of bobbing helmets in their rabbit holes. That’s before we get to ridiculousness of cyclists pumping oil simply to work the hydraulics.

The craft are doing little for the mainstream sport. Speed kills. The America’s Cup is no exception. There are of course many other views on this subject.

Pre-regattas
More pre-regattas have been signaled, but in the larger craft used in the Cup match. Unless they are held at the venue, they are costly in terms of logistics and precious time. These regattas rarely pay their costs and are usually a bit of a jaunt for sponsor exposure. Don’t expect many, and expect they will be mostly at the venue if there is a quick turnaround.

The Venue
Expect the highest (or the only) bidder to win. Dalton has announced that a home venue bid in New Zealand is not being sought or chased, amounting to another bucket of lukewarm or perhaps cold water thrown over New Zealand.

The New Zealand Government is now discussing it, but as much as I would like to see a New Zealand based defense, and I applaud any who helps it happen, there has been a massive loss of public support for the Cup and TNZ, after the abandonment of a New Zealand based defense, making the use of public funds politically more difficult than it was.

It doesn’t sound like Barcelona will be up for another round as local protests escalate. As appalling as some such options are, the smart money is somewhere sandy with date palms.

The key for a venue in making a bid will be the number of competitors and their time in the country. The short turnaround works against more competitors and risks less. Don’t be surprised if pre-regattas require or encourage challengers to set up at the venue early.

In short, its more of the same, just coming more quickly.

Viewing details – Race information – Results – Weather forecast

Following the publication of the AC37 Protocol and AC75 Class Rule on November 17, 2021, the AC75 Class Rule and AC Technical Regulations were finalized on March 17, 2022. The entry period was from December 1, 2021 until July 31, 2022, but late entries for the 37th America’s Cup could be accepted until May 31, 2023. The Defender was to announce the Match Venue on September 17, 2021 but postponed the reveal, finally confirming Barcelona on March 30, 2022. The 37th America’s Cup begins October 12, 2024.

Teams revealed to challenge defender Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL):
• INEOS Britannia (GBR)
• Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI)
• Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team (ITA)
• NYYC American Magic (USA)
• Orient Express Racing Team (FRA)

2023-24 Preliminary Regattas
September 14-17, 2023 (AC40): Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain
November 30-December 2 (AC40): Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
August 22-25, 2024 (AC75): Barcelona, Spain

2024 Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger Selection Series*
August 29-September 9: Double Round Robin
September 14-19: Semi Finals (Best of 9)
September 26-October 7: Finals (Best of 13)

*Team New Zealand competes in the round robin stage only, but the results of their races were not included in the challenger leaderboard.

2024 America’s Cup
October 12-27: 37th Match (Best of 13)

For competition details, click here.

Additionally, 12 teams will compete in the 2024 Youth & Women’s America’s Cup.

Noticeboard: https://ac37noticeboard.acofficials.org/
Event details: www.americascup.com/en/home