Team NZ: We Did Not Agree On Format, Location
Following the organisers saying that the “America’s Cup competitors have agreed the format for racing in 2017,” Emirates Team New Zealand released a statement saying they “did not agree on the format.”
A statement the organisers released a few days ago said, “The America’s Cup competitors have agreed the format for racing in 2017 with all racing taking place on the waters of the Great Sound in Bermuda.”
“At our Competitor Forum meeting this week, the teams agreed on the details of our race program in 2017,” said Commercial Commissioner Harvey Schiller.
However a statement posted on social media by the New Zealand team said, “The America’s Cup Event Authority announced over the weekend that the America’s Cup event format was agreed by competitors and that all racing will take place in Bermuda.
“Emirates Team New Zealand would like to clarify we did not agree on the format or location of the qualifier because we have still have our case for the previously agreed qualifier in Auckland pending arbitration.”
Photo of Team NZ in action by Chris Cameron
Right now there are five teams scheduled to compete: defending champion Oracle Team USA, Artemis Racing from Sweden, Ben Ainslie Racing from Great Britain, Emirates Team from New Zealand, and Team France.
There were originally six teams slated to compete, however the Italian team Luna Rossa withdrew earlier this month in protest over rule changes.
Following the Italian’s withdrawal, New Zealand said they were “deeply saddened by the news of the withdrawal” adding they and Luna Rossa are “close allies and share common values of fair play and integrity.”
New Zealand 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.”
Politics and MONEY.
Shalom.
This is getting like the $18 Million CoH fiasco, embarrassing.
Also embarassing for the PLP who also signed off on the $18 million…forgot about that?!
Mockingjay and yes, countless others, “fail to see the trees for the forest”
Their motto: “Bermuda for Bermudians”… Yeah, sure you’re right 
While “we’re seeking answers to unanswered questions; what happen to “toeing the line / the legalities surrounding them bies’ smuggled here under darkness?
Need I say more? Ok. They now hold down numerous jobs that Bermudians should been holding…Also occupying homes that our fellow Bermudians should’ve been living in…They are taking money out of our Bermudians babies mouths to feed not only them that came from Cuba but, now they have wives and children.
Indeed, thanks to the Progressive Labour Party
Bailing .
Sour Grapes.
that is where the 18 million is gone to this junk, that it not going to help the avg. bermudian. OBA, **** HEADS.
Everybody wants everything to stay the same,but it does not.
The Americas Cup is evolving,for example 100 years ago all boats were
MONO-HULLS and made of wood.
With the smaller size and less exspence it is anticipated that we will get more teams involved.
Bermuda is a very good location because it is between where all the money is and all the participation comes from.
Hopefully if we can make a success of the whole thing there is possibility that it could stay longer,which would be to Bermuda’s benefit.
Tean NZ is the only one that is Government Subsidized.
Wake up! The deck is stacked! Still hope to make some dough of the event no matter what……..