And the winner is: the 36th edition of the America's Cup! At least that is how the defender and Challenger of Record (first challenger and negotiator of all challengers against the defender in a respective Cup cycle) assessed the outcome of their negotiations last week in Auckland, New Zealand, in a joint press release. Patrizio Bertelli, CEO of the Prada Group and Chairman of the Italian Challenger of Record, and representatives of the New Zealand America's Cup defenders met in the "City of Sails" to discuss and clarify a number of points of contention, some of which had already ended up before the arbitration tribunal.
In particular, it concerned an arbitration case that had become official on 12 February regarding the validity of the late challengers. The settlement reached between Defenders and Challenger of Record now allows the three last-minute challengers from Holland (DutchSail AC36), Malta (Malta Altus Challenge) and America (Stars & Stripes Team USA) to accept the postponement of the payments they were required to make under the original protocol, thus at least improving their chances of raising the necessary budgets and actually reaching the starting line of the challenger series. The settlement reached between defenders and challengers of record should pave the way for the 36th America's Cup presented by Prada and its prelude with as many challengers as possible.
Grant Dalton, CEO of Emirates Team New Zealand, said on behalf of the Defenders: "We have welcomed Mr Bertelli to New Zealand and appreciate his positive commitment to the event. We share an overarching desire for this event in 2021, as well as all the events leading up to it, to be remembered as the best America's Cup ever." Mr Dalton continued: "It's no secret that there were some outstanding issues that needed to be resolved. But the fact that Mr Bertelli has taken the time to come to Auckland in person is testament to the mutual respect that exists between us, which also applies to the event as a whole. Therefore, the way is now clear for the late starters to build their campaigns for the launch attempt. Defenders and Challengers of Record will give them all the support they need."
Patrizio Bertelli said: "The time spent in Auckland was very important for my understanding of how we can best integrate our event into New Zealand culture. It all sends a strong signal of friendship and co-operation for the coming months." More facts about the pre-regattas will be announced shortly. The first new Cup yachts will be allowed to take to the water from 31 March 2019. The Prada Cup Challenger Series will be held in February 2021 after the as yet undetermined regattas of the America's Cup World Series 2019/20. The 36th America's Cup duel will take place in March 2021.
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
