America’s Cup: New Italian team surfaces
“Dear Santa,” reads the note by the new defender of the America’s Cup, “All I want for Christmas is more challengers in 2021 than we beat in Bermuda.” That may be a present St. Nicholas can deliver, albeit belated.
Entries don’t officially open until January 1, and despite the self-imposed deadline of June 30, 2018, anticipate a rush to the gate. Success in the America’s Cup involves an early start.
While teams from New Zealand and Italy will fill the classic roles of Defender and Challenger of Record, Santa is also counting on campaigns from the United States and Great Britain to follow through on their publically declared intentions.
And now a second Italian syndicate has revealed their plan to challenge for the America’s Cup.
Sardinia-based Adelasia of Torres announced their hope of being in Auckland in 2021. They are fronted by Renato Azara who runs the Mediterranean island’s major freight company as well as a maritime agency that services the needs of super yachts.
He will have Duccio Colombi at his side. Colombi has won 11 Italian championships in different sailing classes, two European championships and four world championships.
The search is now on to find backers for the ambitious project with Azara mixing excitement with prudence.
“We will participate in the America’s Cup and the boat, all in carbon, will be built in Olbia,” revealed Azara. “The consortium is ready and we are already putting together the sponsors. This is an open consortium, because around the project of Adelasia we hope to bring the whole of Sardinia.
As for who else will be in Santa’s sled, the elves are pushing along Cup winner Tom Slingsby’s effort to organize an Australian challenge and Team France have also indicated they will again be involved.
Key dates:
✔ 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
December 31, 2018: Late entries deadline
March 31, 2019: Boat 1 can be launched
2nd half of 2019: 2 x America’s Cup World Series Preliminary Events
February 1, 2020: Boat 2 can be launched
During 2020: 3 x America’s Cup World Series Preliminary Events
December 10-20, 2020: America’s Cup Christmas Race
January and February 2021: The PRADA Cup Challenger Selection Series
March 2021: The America’s Cup Match
Protocol of the 36th America’s Cup
Key Points of the Protocol
Deed of Gift
Source: Stuff.co.nz, lanuovasardegna.itScuttlebutt
