Tension ramps up over host city announcement for America’s Cup

It should have been a moment of celebration and coming together. But instead this Wednesday’s official ceremony to announce Naples as the host city for the next America’s Cup has kicked off another spate of terse statements around quite what Team New Zealand is up to in Naples.

This time the New Zealand organisation is being accused of selling the rights to something which is does not own.

“In signing a commercial deal with the host city that includes the Challenger Selection Series of races for the Louis Vuitton Cup, Team New Zealand have sold something they do not own the rights to. This is not acceptable,” reads a statement issued yesterday (29 May) from ex-participant Alinghi Red Bull Racing.

The Swiss team alleges that Team New Zealand entered into a commercial agreement concerning the Challenger Selection Series without holding the rights to do so, and without consultation with the Challenger of Record – Athena Racing (led by Sir Ben Ainslie).

Alinghi Red Bull stepped-back earlier this year dues to “serious concerns about the administration and governance of the cup by the defender, Team New Zealand.” Even so yesterday’s missive ended with the thought that it wants “to explore ways that we can be part of that future, especially in the wonderful city of Naples in 2027.” (Read the full statement on the team’s website.)

Despite last week’s to and fro in the public eye about whether Naples could be named as host for 2027 (prior to a series of decisions being taken between the defender and challenger) the official presentation took place at the iconic Castel dell’Ovo. America’s Cup media says the decision followed a compelling bid that combined stunning geography, historical significance, and strong governmental support . . . if not support of the wider teams.

While Italian minister for sports and youth Andrea Abodi noted: “The real work starts now,” he must be less than delighted about the drama which is playing out across the sailing world with his city in the middle. Who would have thought that transparency and governance could be so compelling?

Not content with last week’s statement decrying decisions without consensus, Athena Racing (currently leading protocol negotiations as Challenger of Record), expressed yet more frustration yesterday (the team’s full statement is on its website), supporting Alinghi, over what it continues to describe as a lack of transparency and consultation.

“The ongoing lack of transparency surrounding the recent announcement of the host city for the America’s Cup in 2027 and the impact this is having on negotiating a fair sporting protocol are yet to be addressed by the defender, Team New Zealand,” reads Athena’s statement.

Seven months of negotiations lead to public warring

Athena maintains that key aspects of the event protocol remain unresolved after seven months of negotiation, and that the protocol is far from ‘final’, as implied by the defender.

Responding to criticism via two statements, Emirates Team New Zealand reaffirmed its legal and procedural right to select the host venue under both the Deed of Gift and a Memorandum of Understanding signed with Athena Racing after the 37th America’s Cup.

It says it has the “full right and obligation” as the MOU grants the defender authority to announce the match and CSS venue within eight months of the previous event’s conclusion.

Despite growing tension, Athena Racing has stated its commitment to reaching a resolution on behalf of all challengers, aiming to deliver a successful and equitable regatta in 2027. Meanwhile, Alinghi has written to the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, questioning TNZ’s compliance.

Emirates Team New Zealand says: “The defender, as per the Deed of Gift, has the right and responsibility to choose the venue and the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Challenger of Record at the conclusion of the 37th America’s Cup also gives that full right and obligation to the defender.

“The defender remains committed to work with the teams to create a partnership for the future America’s Cups.”