The protocol for the 36th America's Cup presented in Auckland on Friday night does not harbour any major surprises. The most important question remains unanswered: What will the 75-foot monohulls on which the most famous trophy in international sailing will be sailed in 2021 look like? Will they foil or not? The defenders do not want to comment on this until 30 November this year. Nevertheless, the presentation of the protocol brought some new insights.
Two boats per syndicate will be allowed in the 36th edition of the Cup. It is certain that pre-regattas for the America's Cup will be held in New Zealand in 2019 and 2020. As expected, the Kiwis have established a nationality rule. At least 20 per cent of the sailors on a Cup team must have a passport from the country or have their main residence in the country for which the team is competing. All others must have spent at least 380 days in the country between 1 September 2018 and 1 September 2020. The defenders want to check this on a random basis. International professional sailors are usually travelling for more than 190 days a year and will not find it easy to comply with this regulation. However, Grant Dalton explained: "We don't want this rule to stop professional sailors from earning money, but to encourage countries to grow their own talent."
The New Zealanders are preparing for up to eight challengers as planning for the America's Cup harbour gets underway. As a detail, it was revealed on enquiry that "cyclists" instead of grinders will not be banned in the future either. The new defenders also announced that they would not be taking part in the America's Cup challenger round - as Oracle Team USA recently did off Bermuda. Here, too, they will again adhere more closely to the Cup foundation charter.
(Note: We have subsequently supplemented this article with a more detailed explanation of the nationality rule and a comment by Grant Dalton)
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
