The forecast of the renowned betting company William Hill is clear: according to customer assessments and the corresponding odds, the America's Cup will remain in American hands after the 35th edition. If Oracle Team USA wins, one euro bet will only return 2.20 euros. "Surprise, surprise: Oracle has the best chances. They have everything well positioned," says two-time Cup winner Jochen Schümann, not without alluding to the usual advantages enjoyed by a Cup defender who traditionally organises the next edition according to his own ideas. But Schümann also says: "It will be tight. As always, Emirates Team New Zealand will make it tight. Maybe Sir Ben, if he gets fast enough? He is almost seeded for the semi-finals thanks to the bonus points from the World Series. Groupama goes first. SoftBank doesn't make it through the semis. And Artemis is good for anything. Or not. Hopefully everyone can sail to the end without too much damage..."
The French Groupama Team France is also the clear underdog in the bettors' favour. Anyone betting a euro on the team of Volvo Ocean Race winner Franck Cammas is likely to receive a payout of more than 100 euros from one bookmaker in the unlikely event of a French victory - as the odds reveal just a few days before the start of the qualifiers, in which the defenders are also taking part for the first time, although they are seeded for the 35th Cup match.
And this is how all teams are ranked by three exemplary selected betting agencies:
William Hill:
Oracle Team USA: 2.20
Emirates Team New Zealand: 3.50
Land Rover BAR Racing: 4.50
Artemis Racing: 7.00
SoftBank Team Japan: 13.00
Groupama Team France: 81.00
Bet365:
Oracle Team USA: 2.10
Emirates Team New Zealand: 3.25
Land Rover BAR: 4.50
Artemis Racing: 7.00
SoftBank Team Japan: 34.00
Groupama Team France: 101.00
Sportsbet:
Oracle Team USA: 2.00
Emirates Team New Zealand: 4.00
Land Rover BAR: 4.33
Artemis Racing: 5.00
SoftBank Team Japan: 21.00
Groupama Team France: 51.00
"We have the fight of our lives ahead of us. It will be the toughest Cup ever," predicts two-time Cup winner and Oracle helmsman Jimmy Spithill. The sailing battle for the America's Cup begins on Friday at 10 p.m. German time in the Great Sound off Bermuda's capital Hamilton. In the qualifying round, the favoured defenders and five challengers from New Zealand, Sweden, Great Britain, France and Japan will each face every other team twice. Each win is worth one point. Sir Ben Ainslie's British team Land Rover BAR will start this preliminary round as winners of the preceding World Series with two bonus points, the Americans with one bonus point. Among the challengers, Emirates Team New Zealand, the Swedish team Artemis Racing and Land Rover BAR are regarded as the strongest teams.
The best four challengers from the qualifiers will advance to the Challenger Playoffs on 4 June. The winner of the qualifier can choose their own opponent. "This rule is known in sailing circles as "pick your own poison". The semi-final winners ("first to win five") compete in the final of the Challenger Playoffs ("first to win five") from 10 June for the right to challenge the defenders in the duel for the oldest sports trophy from 17 June. The Cup match will be won by the first team to reach seven points.
YACHT online asked other German sailors for their favourite tip. It was striking that most of them found it difficult to come up with a clear favourite. Which also shows how exciting it could be. Laser vice world champion Philipp Buhl said: "Artemis made a strong impression in the training races. Insiders say that the Swedes are very strong. In terms of tactical ability - see double Olympic champion and tactician Iain Percy - and foiling expertise - see Olympic champion and helmsman Nathan Outteridge - the team lacks nothing."
Paul Kohlhoff, 2016 Olympian and helmsman of SVB Team Germany in the Red Bull Youth America's Cup on Bermuda's picture-book stage in June, agrees with Buhl: "Artemis has made the strongest impression recently." Tim Kröger, who has raced in the America's Cup twice himself, has a different view based on his experience: "The Kiwis have always pushed things forward in the last few Cup cycles with technological developments and good ideas. This is especially true for foiling. If only they could hold their nerve... But that's where helmsman Peter Burling could be better compared to his predecessor Dean Barker." Dragon World Champion Markus Wieser is also counting on the Kiwis - for the challenger round and the Cup: "They are experienced and I just like them. So I hope they win the race."
The 35th America's Cup duel begins on 17 June. This will show which challenger has prevailed and whether this team is strong enough to really put the excellently prepared Americans under pressure.
The big Cup guide: In the America's Cup special in YACHT 12/2017 you will find all the information and background to the sailing event of the year. From 24 May at the kiosk or digital here.
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Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
