Late challenges accepted for America’s Cup

The late challenges for the America’s Cup from the Netherlands, Malta and the west coast of the United States have been formally accepted.

This follows meetings between defender Emirates Team New Zealand and Challenger of Record Luna Rossa in Auckland last week that amended the protocol for the 36th America’s Cup to be sailed in Auckland in 2021.

A dispute over the validity of the late entries – centred on deferred payments – posted by Dutch Sail, Malta Altus and Stars & Stripes Team USA was in front of the Cup’s arbitration panel.

There were also suggestions of tensions between Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa who have a long history of amicable association across the treacherous waters of the Cup.

But constructive meetings that saw Patrizio Bertelli, CEO of the Prada Group and chairman of the Challenger of Record, come to Auckland to help sort out the standoff has cleared the air around planning for the event.

‘‘The path is therefore now clear for the late entries to continue building their respective campaigns to try to participate and the Defender and Challenger of Record will give whatever support they can,’’ Team New Zealand chief executive Grant Dalton said yesterday.

The payments involve the US$1m entry fee and an additional late entry fee of US$1m. An expected US$1m performance bond is due by April 30, 2019.

The development sees the three syndicates joining the so called ‘‘super teams’’ of Italy’s Luna Rossa, INEOS Team UK and American Magic from the New York Yacht Club, for the challengers series with the winner going on to battle Team New Zealand for the America’s Cup.