Four America’s Cup Teams Respond To NZ Team
Four of the five remaining America’s Cup teams said they are “disappointed to see how Team New Zealand are characterizing the rule changes that reflect the collective will of the America’s Cup teams.”
The statement — signed by Jimmy Spithill from Oracle Team USA, Iain Percy from Artemis Racing, Ben Ainslie from Ben Ainslie Racing and Franck Cammas from Team France — follows after Team New Zealand commented on the withdrawal of Italian team Luna Rossa.
Team New Zealand’s Comments
Following the news that the Italian team would withdraw, Emirates Team New Zealand said they are “deeply saddened by the news of the withdrawal from the America’s Cup of Luna Rossa, one of the most established, respected and admired brands in the history of the event.
“Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa are close allies and share common values of fair play and integrity.”
Team CEO Grant Dalton said, “We are quite frankly in disbelief that the continued actions of the America’s Cup Event Authority have lead to the withdrawal of our great friends Luna Rossa.
“It sends a clear and unmistakable message that the self-serving manoeuvring of rules within sports oldest trophy has consequences for not only the America’s Cup but also all of sailing. “
“Emirates Team New Zealand have filed its case on the illegal withdrawal of Auckland as the qualifier regatta venue with the America’s Cup Arbitration Panel and will be making no further comment at this time.”
Four Teams Respond
In response, the four teams said: “We are disappointed to see how Team New Zealand are characterizing the rule changes that reflect the collective will of the America’s Cup teams.
“During discussions last month, all six teams, including Team New Zealand, agreed on the need to change to a smaller boat to reduce costs.
“While Luna Rossa supported a less dramatic change, a majority of teams agreed on what has become the America’s Cup Class, a new rule written in consultation with all teams, with drafts of the rule sent to all teams for comment and feedback.
“Each team that voted for this new America’s Cup Class made compromises and sacrifices to get this done for the betterment of the America’s Cup.
“Taking these important decisions by a majority vote is something that was insisted upon by Luna Rossa and written into the rules of the event.
“Regrettably, abiding by the results of the majority vote appears to be something neither they, nor Team New Zealand, are willing to do… unless they are part of the majority.
“We hope that Team New Zealand can see a way forward, as we all have, and look forward to racing them in the Americas Cup World Series later this year.”
The statement was signed by Jimmy Spithill from Oracle Team USA, Iain Percy from Artemis Racing, Ben Ainslie from Ben Ainslie Racing, and Franck Cammas from Team France.
The answer to everyones question/s: ““During discussions last month, all six teams, including Team New Zealand, agreed on the need to change to a smaller boat to reduce costs.
“While Luna Rossa supported a less dramatic change, a majority of teams agreed on what has become the America’s Cup Class, a new rule written in consultation with all teams, with drafts of the rule sent to all teams for comment and feedback.
“Each team that voted for this new America’s Cup Class made compromises and sacrifices to get this done for the betterment of the America’s Cup.”
AHHH…new zealand….what happend to old zealand…wher did that go…they were so much more amicable and aimiable in agreeable endeavors….and truly…i must ask…what the kiwi has your knickers in such a damn twistification….you are unhappy about something…please tell us what it is so that we…and anyone else…everyone else that feels the same way…need to know what is os that would calm your sensibilities…we can’t help you if we don’t know what it is?….what would appease you?
The Kiwi’s are NOT stupid… If they are this agitated by what is happening – then there is good reason for it!! I think the other teams are jealous of NZ – because of what they have achieved in the event over the years and the fierce competition they pose!!
PS: They are NOT “whiners”… They just want “fair play” – which ALL teams should be entitled to!! The Americans have a nasty habit of always trying to change things – ultimately to “suit themselves”!!
From SimonN on Sailinganacharchy forum
“The exclusivity of the AC was what made it and without it, the event will die. And it was that exclusivity that attracted the likes of LV.
Throughout the history of the AC, one thing holds true. It was a rich man’s game. There are a few exceptions, such as when DC managed to get rich backers, but in recent times there has only been one team that has really managed a credible challenge without a very rich patron, namely ETNZ, who instead had a government and a whole nation taking that role. The real problem we have now is that the Cup doesn’t appeal to the super rich (or those aspiring to be seen as such) as it used to. It was the ultimate non business challenge, because it was probably the most difficult to win of all sporting trophies. It was a ‘holy grail” that so many wasted so much on. For a number of reasons, the appeal has been lost and it isn’t because of the economic climate, because over the last 10 years the rich have got richer. For whatever reason, the Cup as it is now structured doesn’t appeal to the guys who could make it happen, either completely with their own money or using their money as seed capital and their contacts to get the rest. What we have now is sailors trying to take the role of those mega rich, with the likes of Ainslie and Cammas leading the teams.
To date, there is zero evidence that the total sponsorship model for teams is one that will work and that the event can succeed without mega rich team owners. Yet what we are seeing is a rush towards a format that appeals less and less to the very people they need to attract while at the same time, getting closer and closer to other “products” that are already out there. On this forum, we think there is a big difference between, say, the ESS and the new AC with the AC48′s, but what I believe that sponsors see is boats of a similar size. I wouldn’t be surprised if you can get 80% of the exposure for 10% of the budget from the ESS. Or is you are mega rich, you can do what EB is doing and get a GS32 which you can actually sail yourself and which will give you 90% of the thrills for 5% of the cost.
Seriously, how can anybody think that a near one design 48′ foiling cat is the “ultimate” is beyond me.”