In 2011, this scenario occurred for the first time in the then 159-year history of the America's Cup: a Challenger of Record who does not last until the Cup races and has to be replaced. Larry Ellison's defence team had chosen the Italian syndicate Mascalzone Lationo as the Challenger of Record, i.e. the challenger that hands over its challenge to the defender first and represents all other challengers in the negotiations for the next edition against the defender. Three years ago, however, the Italians had to give up due to a lack of funds. Their role for the 34th America's Cup was then taken over by the unfortunate Swedish team Artemis.
Now the American defenders have been caught out for a second time - a sad historical record. This time the Australian Challenger of Record from Hamilton Island Yacht Club is throwing in the towel early. The current Challenger of Record has informed the defender that he will withdraw his challenge for the 35th America's Cup!
The arguments in favour of the withdrawal are the same as those that have been heard from the camps of all other challengers for months and which YACHT online last reported on yesterday: it is too hard to prepare for a regatta and win partners for which there are no event dates and no venue.
While the defenders have set the deadline for challenges at 8 August this year and are demanding around three million US dollars in entry fees by the end of the year, they themselves continue to withhold crucial information about the 35th America's Cup. According to the New Zealand Herald, well-known New Zealand television commentator Peter Montgomery has described the tricky situation as "another twist in the preparations for the next regatta" and commented soberly: "Another Challenger of Record bites the dust."
A short press release issued by the Cup defenders on Saturday night said: "The America's Cup organisers have received notification from the Chairmen of Hamilton Island Yacht Club that Team Australia intends to withdraw from the 35th America's Cup."
The press release quotes Russell Coutts, Director of the America's Cup Event Authority (ACEA): "We are very disappointed with this news. We were excited to have Australia as a challenger and we were also looking forward to hosting America's Cup World Series regattas in Australia."
However, the Australians' withdrawal was quickly ticked off and Coutts quickly turned his attention to the future: "Our focus going forward is on the teams that have already submitted their challenges, as well as teams that informed us before the entry deadline on 8 August that they want to enter. In the meantime, ACEA will continue to work on finding a venue for the 35th America's Cup in 2017. The selection process is well underway with the aim of announcing the venue in October."
The organisers' press release also quotes Britain's Sir Ben Ainslie, who presented his America's Cup team Ben Ainslie Racing to the public for the first time last month in London. "We continue to support the Defender's unwavering endeavour to create a more commercial format that will bring a sustainable future to this historic trophy. BAR will bid to host two America's Cup World Series regattas in 2015 and 2016 at our new home in Portsmouth - an important part of our journey to the 35th America's Cup. Whilst the withdrawal of the Challenger of Record is regrettable, it is not unusual. We will continue with our preparations for the 35th America's Cup and look forward to an exciting future."
In view of the news situation, no one has yet been able to confirm whether Ben Ainslie's words were the commentary of the possible next Challenger of Record. But it is not entirely unlikely. After all, they know each other well. Ben Ainslie helped the Americans to win the Cup and completed his masterclass with Oracle Team USA before forming his own Dream Team under the British flag to make a historic bid for the silverware.
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
