37th America’s Cup
boost what the team themselves was likely to be able to raise, and so they walked away. Dalton’s solution is to host the Cup overseas. While not without precedent in Cup history, this move has been met with bitter objection by a group led by Kiwi businessman Mark Dunphy who maintain that sufficient funds can be found. Allegations of mis-information have created a maelstrom that Dalton could certainly do without. While Dalton maintains that a successful defence is central to his – and his nation’s – interests, questions have naturally been raised as to his decision to look for a venue overseas. So if not Auckland, then where could the Cup be held? Several venues have put themselves forward. Dalton insists it’s not simply a case of selecting the highest bidder, but if money is indeed the deciding factor, the Red Sea port of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia seems a tantalising – though perhaps controversial - prospect, while the Irish government has been enthusiastic in its proposal to bring the pinnacle event to its second largest city, Cork. Meanwhile, a multi-city bid could see racing go to Spain with support from the government there.
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Until that final piece of the puzzle fits, it makes it difficult for any team – existing or new – to progress in earnest as the likely conditions of the Match Venue go a long way towards determining boat design.
Team recruits
In between developing the Protocol and juggling the venue debacle, ETNZ has also endeavoured to progress its team. The legendary double act of Pete Burling and Blair Tuke have played to their rock-star status, holding back on re-signing while they awaited clarity on the fundamentals of the event. In the meantime, the team have snatched up ex-Artemis Racing Cup helm, Nathan Outteridge who was, bizarrely, left on the bench for AC36; the Australian swerves the new 100 per cent crew nationality rule for this Cup, not under the emerging nations provision, but as he is married to a New Zealander. He joins ETNZ’s returning core of Glenn Ashby, Andy Maloney, Josh Junior, and Ray Davies. The Kiwi's revived rival Alinghi unites their team principal Ernesto Bertarelli with Red Bull's principal Hans-Peter Steinacher and F1 team chief Christian Horner. On the water,
FEBRUARY 2022 Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting
ABOVE LEFT Pete Burling lifts sport's oldest trophy for a jubilant ETNZ after winning the 36th America's Cup ABOVE RIGHT Ainslie will once again lead the British team on and off the water BELOW Hydrogen powered chase boats; it is hoped tech developments will benefit the wider industry
a new generation of young sailors will be led by Arnaud Psarofaghis of Extreme 40 and GC32 fame, directed by Cup legend Brad Butterworth signing as skipper. For the Brits, Ainslie is set to once again take charge on and off the water, also re-signing right hand man, tactician Giles Scott. The team are yet to reveal more, the focus meanwhile being on their tech team links with Mercedes, led by F1 design guru, James Allison as chief technical officer. Allison has described the challenge ahead as a “mouth watering prospect” and of the Protocol he said, “it’s a big fat old book full of opportunity”.
Clean tech
Green credentials are being put to the fore for AC37. Most notably in aiming to advance technologies for the wider marine industry, each team is required to operate two 10m hydrogen powered foiling chase boats capable of a cruising speed of 25 knots and a top speed of 50 knots. Teams can develop their own, or purchase them (at a cost of $2m NZD each) from the Defender, who says a prototype is already in build, due for trials in early 2022.
