Sir Ben Ainslie's Team Ineos Britannia has earned a lot of respect in Barcelona over the past few weeks. However, the Brits have not - yet - been able to win the oldest and most important silver jug in sailing. The America's Cup remains a Kiwi Cup for the time being. Emirates Team New Zealand won the "Auld Mug" for the fifth time after 1995, 2000, 2017 and 2021. Historically remarkable: they were the first team to win the America's Cup for the third time in a row.
37th America's Cup: New Zealand wins 7:2
The ninth run took 26 minutes and 43 seconds. Taihoro" crossed the finish line with a lead of 580 metres and 37 seconds. The seventh winning point on the sixth day of racing meant triumph for co-pilots Peter Burling and Nathan Outteridge, their trimmers Blair Tuke and Andy Malone and cyclists Louis Crosby, Marius van der Pol, Hamish Bond and Dougal Allan. "It was an incredible battle and I'm proud of the whole team," said Peter Burling on the water.
"They are the best team in America's Cup history," the beaten British boss Ben Ainslie paid ultimate respect to the winners shortly after the triumph of the New Zealand "Taihoro". The eight-man Kiwi crew had shown once again in the last race in the 37th America's Cup match why they were unbeatable in this cycle.
On Saturday evening, Ben Ainslie's assessment in Barcelona was even more detailed: "Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli are the teams that have been in the America's Cup the longest. Every time you take part in the America's Cup, you become more efficient, better at using your design tools. This is our third time (ed.: under the British flag). We're getting closer and closer. We're not quite there yet, but we're determined to finish the job."
Kiwis better in all areas
How to beat Kiwis in the future? Ainslie says: "They are brilliant in series, but every time we face them we get one step closer. It's about development within the team. They were a touch quicker. They manoeuvred a bit better. They were a bit better at finding the first spin after the start. They sailed flawlessly. That is the level. When you get beaten by a team at that level, you can only take your hat off."
The former and possibly future "Challenger of Record" clearly emphasised the promise of the British Cup comeback: "We set out ten years ago to win the America's Cup. I'm not a quitter. We will see this through." The 47-year-old reminded us once again: "The America's Cup is a gigantic team task over three and a half, four years. I am very proud of our team!"
While Emirates Team New Zealand did not initially reveal its future Challenger of Record or the venue for the 38th America's Cup on Triumph Day, it was announced during the course of the evening that the British Royal Yacht Squadron had once again handed over a challenge to the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. This was reported by Sail-World magazine. The partnership between Emirates Team New Zealand (Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron) and Ineos Britannia (Royal Yacht Squadron) as Challenger of Record had, according to mutual statements, worked well in the past Cup cycle.
38th America's Cup: in proven partnership
The usual procedure for an agreement between defender and challenger of record: The official challenge is handed over to a representative of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron with the last finish of the winner. For this purpose, the representative of the defending yacht club and the representative of the challenging yacht club usually sit together on a boat at sea or in another secret location that is not accessible to others - well protected from any competing challenges. Negotiations on the key points of the upcoming Cup cycle have already taken place.
Although the Cup winners and defenders determine the future venue, the regulations and the format, they need the fundamental support of the Challenger of Record in order to be able to organise a regatta that is attractive and relevant for both sides. The Challenger of Record assumes the role of representative of all other challengers.
Ben Ainslie confirmed on the final day of the 37th America's Cup that Sir Jim Ratcliffe will continue to support his team in the future. At the same time, Ainslie pointed out that additional partners may be needed, but that he will lead the team into the future. "I am committed to the team going forward and to the task of winning the America's Cup."
Will entry barriers for new teams be lowered?
There is no doubt that the America's Cup class of the speedy AC75 foiling yachts will experience at least one more Cup cycle. As part of the existing protocol, all participating and signing teams have also committed to continuing the America's Cup on AC75 yachts if they win. However, changes are to be expected, as confirmed not only by "Taihoro" chief designer Dan Bernasconi in the evening in Barcelona. How difficult will it be for completely new teams to enter the next Cup cycle?
Dan Bernasconi said: "That's a really good question! I think these are very complex boats. The barrier to entry for a new team is quite high. I think that's especially true for the mechatronics, electronics and hydraulics. It's very complex. That's another argument in favour of looking for simplification options in this area. Or to share a few more parts (ed.: as OneDesigns) between the teams." Dan Bernasconi is not the only one who knows that "the teams' interest in cost containment is high".
Where the next America's Cup will be held and when remains an open question for the time being, so soon after the decision in the "Battle of Barcelona". In view of the different interests that New Zealand's winners have to take into account, there are many different ways of thinking and playing the game: One could stay in Barcelona because everything is now set in the Spanish Mediterranean metropolis. Other European ports could also be considered based on this Cup edition.
Quo vadis, America's Cup?
There were also repeated rumours in the camps that the Kiwis could set course for Jeddah in Saudi Arabia for the upcoming America's Cup. However, the US team American Magic NYYC, which was eliminated in the semi-finals of the Louis Vuitton Cup, had raised safety concerns about the venue when the teams there were asked to take part in the second pre-regatta for the America's Cup on AC40 foiling boats at the end of 2023. Team main sponsor Emirates is based in the United Arab Emirates.
It is also not impossible that the domestic pressure on the defenders will grow and a return to New Zealand will be considered. Emirates Team New Zealand had turned its back on Auckland as the venue for the 37th America's Cup because there was too little financial support from the government and other sources for a promising campaign, while Barcelona is said to have invested around 70 million euros in the Cup in its city, from which the defenders benefited as a team and as the organisers of the America's Cup.
One thing is certain: the America's Cup will remain exciting in the future. Further answers to the many question marks - as announced by the old and new Cup defenders on the evening of their victory - can be expected in the coming weeks and months. A timetable will be published shortly.
