News Around the World
Out of equilibrium but still upright during Emirates Team New Zealand’s training camp ahead of the forthcoming International Moth worlds in Melbourne. Emirates TNZ flew in foiler Moth ‘Godfather’ Andrew McDougall from Australia to run their training sessions. Added piquancy will be lent to the 2015 worlds with strong representations also from both Oracle Team USA and Artemis Racing
announcement that New Zealand was being considered for a ‘major event’ – immediately taken to mean a part in hosting the challenger selection series early in 2017.
Meanwhile, the fact that a US Defender chose New York City – home of the America’s Cup for 132 years – to announce it would stage its defence in a small British-held island in the middle of the Atlantic was almost beyond irony. Some media referred to a ‘bombshell’, but there is a sense in the Cup community that almost nothing would come as a surprise. Certainly, the carefully stage- managed announcement steered clear of controversy, with all the players well rehearsed and on their best behaviour. Bermuda as a tax haven plays well with the billionaire teams, but for commercial operations like Emirates Team New Zealand it holds less attraction. Team managing director Grant Dalton once described Bermuda as a deal-breaker, but subsequently modified that position. ‘When it became apparent that Bermuda’s bid was favoured we stepped up our analysis of it as a venue both in operational terms and for the opportunities it might provide for our sponsors, suppliers and New Zealand Inc to leverage their involvement,’ he said.
‘We were encouraged by what we learned. Operationally, Bermuda is by far a better place to sail. Unlike in San Diego, there’s usu- ally a good sea breeze, plenty of space for the racecourse and more waterfront space is available for teams to set up bases.’ And, even though the New Zealand government had clearly indicated Bermuda presented a less compelling basis for support, Dalton appeared confident the team would survive. That was not always assured, with insiders confirming that around mid-year in particular the team came perilously close to closing its doors. On the day of the Bermuda announcement Dalton said: ‘At this stage we will be there. It is a day-to-day moving target, but it is my job to make sure the legacy of 29 years and the dynasty of Emirates Team New Zealand continues.’
He added, ‘We have talked with our sponsors and they are 14 SEAHORSE
not particularly venue-dependent.’ Omega, for example, apparently liked the Bermuda option for its unique and exclusive image. Working with PriceWaterhouseCoopers, the team had already prepared a business case, which would be presented to the government within the following 24 hours.
It has also become clear that the atmosphere between Emirates Team New Zealand and Oracle Team USA has recently improved from the open hostilities that raged earlier in the year to a more conciliatory footing. The official announcement referred to a proposal from ETNZ to host a major event.
The protocol provides for the double round robin phase of the challenger selection series to be held at a venue separate from the America’s Cup venue, and in conversations earlier in the year Dalton signalled ambitions to host that event in New Zealand. With the America’s Cup set for mid-year 2017, the timing plays into a southern hemisphere challenger series, strengthening New Zealand’s case. It could stage the regatta over the local summer, leaving plenty of time to ship the final four contenders to Bermuda for the semi-finals and finals leading into the Cup itself, as per the official format.
According to the protocol, the America’s Cup qualifiers, which will be raced in AC62 catamarans, ‘shall have a duration no greater than 30 days and shall commence no earlier than four months prior to the scheduled start of the America’s Cup Challenger Playoffs’. This would suggest round robins in February/March, Auckland’s best sailing period.
If the bid is successful it would significantly help the case for public funding. Having an expected seven teams based in New Zealand over the summer would be a major fillip for the local economy.
The timeline for launching AC62s is September 2016, which could mean the northern hemisphere teams come to New Zealand for their summer training and work-ups – possibly basing them- selves here for several months leading up to the regatta.
HAMISH HOOPER
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