Team NZ Lodge Complaint With America’s Cup

April 2, 2015

Emirates Team New Zealand have filed an application to the America’s Cup Arbitration Panel, saying they believe that ACEA has breached their signed agreement by discarding Auckland, New Zealand as a qualifier host city, and they will be “fighting to keep Auckland as a qualifier.”

This follows after the America’s Cup teams voted by a majority in favour of changes to the 35th America’s Cup Protocol, which included smaller boats and the withdrawal of Auckland as an America’s Cup Qualifier host city.

Yesterday, ACEA said, “A majority of the teams also indicated a preference that all of the racing in 2017 be conducted at a single venue, Bermuda. The America’s Cup Event Authority will consider this in nominating a venue for the America’s Cup Qualifiers.”

Photo of Team NZ in action by Chris Cameron

Emirates Team New Zealand

A statement from the team said, “By the deadline of the 31st March the America’s Cup teams voted by a majority in favour of changes to the 35th America’s Cup Protocol, which included a reduction in boat size to between a 45 and 50 foot foiling catamaran and as a consequence the withdrawal of Auckland as America’s Cup Qualifier host city.

“Under the original Protocol, the Qualifier venue was to be announced by the 15th February 2015. This requirement was fulfilled on this date with the announcement to the teams that Auckland would be the location of the Qualifiers.

“Among the changes to the Protocol voted on, ACEA sought to retrospectively change this date to April and disregard the agreement for Auckland to be the location for the America’s Cup qualifier.

“As a result, Emirates Team New Zealand has now reluctantly filed an application to the America’s Cup Arbitration Panel to reinstate Auckland as the qualifier venue based on a signed and accepted bid, notified to the teams in accordance with the Protocol.

“This needs to be done to satisfy the requirement that all complaints must be filed within 7 days of knowing the facts justifying the complaint.”

CEO Grant Dalton said, “Emirates Team New Zealand have filed an application to the America’s Cup Arbitration Panel in the belief that ACEA has breached their signed agreement and protocol obligations by discarding Auckland.”

“However prior to any hearing Emirates Team New Zealand will continue discussions with all teams and ACEA on the prospect of continuing to bring America’s Cup racing to Auckland.”

“We are fighting to keep Auckland as a qualifier. This isn’t about government funding, this is not the end of Emirates Team New Zealand, it’s about enforcing a contract and bringing America’s Cup racing to New Zealand as agreed by ACEA.” concluded Dalton.

The team said that until the outcome of this is known, Emirates Team New Zealand continues its work in preparing for the next America’s Cup in 2017.

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Comments (13)

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  1. Raymond Ray says:

    As the saying goes: “Ain’t a damn thing funny ’cause it’s all about money.”
    Emirates Team New Zealand, obviously don’t want to put out the money to get their crew/s and boats to Bermuda.

    • Fan says:

      What? Did you even bother to read? They aren’t complaining about Bermuda. They’re complaining about the qualifier in Aukland perhaps being overturned because they voted to push the deadline date from February to April. *crickets* They are fighting to remain in the running to qualify for the America’s Cup IN BERMUDA because they want to come.

      • Raymond Ray says:

        However prior to any hearing Emirates Team New Zealand will continue discussions with all teams and ACEA on the prospect of continuing to bring America’s Cup racing to Auckland.”

        Granted, they haven’t stated they will not partake in the ACEA but they want it to be held in New Zealand…

        “We are fighting to keep Auckland as a qualifier. This isn’t about government funding, this is not the end of Emirates Team New Zealand, it’s about enforcing a contract and bringing America’s Cup racing to New Zealand as agreed by ACEA.” concluded Dalton.
        The team said that until the outcome of this is known, Emirates Team New Zealand continues its work in preparing for the next America’s Cup in 2017.

        • Build a Better Bermuda says:

          Exactly, it is still about the qualifying round that was due to be held there April 2017, not disputing the actual America’s Cup challenge that will be here in June 2017. They are onboard with the America’s Cup here, when they say they they want to bring America’s Cup racing to Aukland, they are talking about the qualifier before, not the main event.

    • MAKE MY DAY says:

      Raymond… They don’t have the same “funding” as multi BILLION $$ companies like the Yanks!! And they also want a piece-of-the-pie!!

      Can you blame them… They have done a LOT for this sport!!

  2. Vote for Me says:

    We see there is continuing unrest in the America’s Cup camp.

    Lets hope there is no reduction in the passion for America’s Cup overall ad the success of 2017.

  3. Lawry says:

    Boys and toys

  4. Lois Frederick says:

    I would seem logical that New Zealand should now take the qualifying races from the Italian venue now that Italy have withdrawn. I think it is coming up very soon, so they would have to really rush to get ready, but having got all the facilities from hosting before, it should be possible. Then they can hold the final qualifiers in Bermuda as the others all want to do, and everyone should be happy.

    • Build a Better Bermuda says:

      It is also a bit about coverage, the Italian leg is the first series this June. As each series gets closer to the Cup challenge, the more coverage increases. These first few series will not carry the same prestige as the last few before the main event.

  5. Unus sed leo says:

    Ok …nothing personal nz…but you have some of the biggest great white sharks in the world….and they do eat people…

  6. Unus sed leo says:

    No one wants to be shark poop…