Where next for the America’s Cup?
The future of the 37th America’s Cup has been thrown wide open after a $99million funding offer from the New Zealand government was turned down by Emirates Team New Zealand.
The New Zealand Government and Auckland City Council had a three-month exclusivity period to agree terms to host the 37th America’s Cup with the Cup holders. However, the two parties failed to strike a deal, leaving the options wide open for where and how the 37th running of the America’s Cup might take place.
A statement from Emirates Team New
Zealand read: “During the three-month exclusive negotiating period between New Zealand agencies and ETNZ, they have not been able to reach a conclusion that works for all parties.
All three parties have worked through these discussions with the best of intentions to see the AC37 hosted in Auckland, and they have not been able to reach agreement.
“Emirates Team New Zealand will now commence discussions with other nations to look into options regarding hosting AC37 events.”
It was openly known that the Cup holders had been exploring options to run the Cup overseas – sparking condemnation from some ardent Kiwi fans, and seen as gamesmanship on behalf of team boss Grant Dalton by others, in an effort to increase the financial support levied by the New Zealand government.
Potential venues to host the 37th America’s Cup being discussed range from Cork in Ireland, home to the world’s oldest yacht club, to the glittering metropolis of Singapore. Bids from Middle Eastern venues potentially include Doha in Qatar, famously associated with the controversial Oryx Quest race; Dubai, the UAE city that has positioned itself as a key venue for massive sporting events; Jeddah in Saudi Arabia – not a country known for its widespread adoption of sailing but another building its profile as a major sports host; and Oman, home of the successful Oman Sail programme for over 12 years.
Likely favourites as alternatives to Auckland will include Valencia, Spain, host to the highly successful 2007 and 2010 events, and the Solent, UK, home to the original America’s Cup back in 1851, and Challenger of Record INEOS Team UK.
Organisers have a deadline of September 17 to name the next host venue.
‘It was openly known the Cup holders had been exploring options’