Alinghi is the latest to issue a rebuke to America’s Cup Defender Team New Zealand, following the announcement of the 38th America’s Cup venue on 15th May 2025Swiss America\u2019s Cup team Alinghi Red Bull Racing issued a statement today, Thursday 29th May, as the latest war of words among various interested America\u2019s Cup teams escalates.
\nThat statement was followed by another from the official America\u2019s Cup Challenger of Record, the Royal Yacht Squadron\u2019s Athena Racing.
\nThe first indication that something was (once again) amiss in the world of the America\u2019s Cup came when Team New Zealand announced Naples as the venue for the 38th America\u2019s Cup, seemingly out of the blue \u2013 though rumours of an announcement had been circulating.
\nThat venue announcement was followed days later by Ben Ainslie\u2019s Athena Racing, and US team NYYC American Magic, both issuing co-ordinated team statements. The Athena Racing statement revealed the British frustration that six months of negotiation with Team New Zealand, headed up by Grant Dalton, had failed to result in a Protocol agreement stating that:
\n\u2018For seven months Athena Racing has been in negotiations on a protocol for the 38th America\u2019s Cup with the Defender, Team New Zealand, on behalf of all the Challengers \u2013 with the aim to deliver a fair sporting framework and commercially viable event for all America\u2019s Cup stakeholders. Despite recent progress being made, significant barriers remain.
\n\u2018Typically, a host agreement has only followed the publication of an agreed protocol. In the absence of an agreed protocol, it is therefore difficult to understand what exactly has been agreed between Team New Zealand and the Government of Italy as the sporting framework and details of the event do not yet exist.\u2019
\nBen Ainslie. Photo: INEOS Britannia
\nThese opening salvoes then saw Team New Zealand biting back against charges of a lack of transparency, calling the challengers \u2018unreasonable\u2019 and taking the unprecedented step of releasing the America\u2019s Cup Protocol draft apparently without full consultation with Challenger of Record Athena Racing.
\nGloves-off America\u2019s Cup statement from Alinghi
\nThe statement released today by Alinghi takes aim squarely at Team New Zealand and goes as far as claiming that \u2018Team New Zealand have sold something they do not own the rights to.\u2019 And additionally reveals they have contacted the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron \u2018raising questions about the administration of the competition by Team New Zealand.\u2019
\nIn what was another clearly co-ordinated effort from the Challengers, the Alinghi statement was quickly followed by another from both Athena Racing and NYYC American Magic, both giving full-throated support to the sentiments expressed by the Swiss team.
\nAlinghi Red Bull Racing had previously announced that they would not compete in the 38th America\u2019s Cup. Photo: America\u2019s Cup
\nIn full the Alinghi statement reads:
\n\u2018When Alinghi Red Bull Racing withdrew in April from consideration for the 38th America\u2019s Cup, we did so because we had serious concerns about the administration and governance of the Cup by the Defender, Team New Zealand.
\n\u2018While we wholeheartedly welcome the choice of Naples as a perfect host venue for the Cup in 2027, our concerns were deepened yesterday when Team New Zealand celebrated the announcement of the host venue at an event in the city.
\n\u2018They had no right to do so without first having agreed a protocol with the Challenger of Record, Athena Racing, who were not consulted on the host venue arrangements which critically impact all challenging teams with regards to cost and logistics.
\n\u2018In signing a commercial deal with the host city that includes the Challenger Selection Series of races for the Louis Vuitton Cup, Team New Zealand have sold something they do not own the rights to. This is not acceptable.
\n\u2018Additionally, the lack of transparency over the terms of the venue deal struck by Team New Zealand begs the question: How can a venue be agreed without either the host city or any of the challenger teams knowing what form of regatta will take place?
\n\u2018This is just the latest demonstration of the Defender\u2019s failure to live up to its fiduciary duties as the Trustee of the America\u2019s Cup.
\n\u2018These growing concerns about the governance of the Cup is why Soci\u00e9t\u00e9 Nautique de Gen\u00e8ve has written to the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron raising questions about the administration of the competition by Team New Zealand and requesting information relating to RNZYS\u2019s responsibilities and duties as Trustee.
\n\u2018As a two-time winner of the Cup and a former Trustee ourselves, Alinghi will always feel a responsibility to the America\u2019s Cup and believe that those who organize and run the event should always seek to put the collective interest of the Cup above all else.
\n\u2018Like Athena Racing and American Magic, we believe that a successful America\u2019s Cup hinges on openness, trust, and a shared understanding among all participants. We remain hopeful that a protocol between the Defender and the Challenger of Record can be agreed that establishes an equitable sporting framework for the racing and a commercially viable event for all America\u2019s Cup stakeholders.
\n\u2018If this can be achieved, then Alinghi is ready to explore ways that we can be part of that future, especially in the wonderful city of Naples in 2027, a truly fitting setting for the world\u2019s greatest sailing competition.\u2019
\nAlinghi are no strangers to Cup controversy themselves having been taken to court by Larry Ellison\u2019s BMW Oracle after their succesfull defence of the America\u2019s Cup. the resultant fall out saw several years of battle in the courts before a Deed of Gift match between the two teams in 2010.
\nCould the Cup be heading back to the courts once again?<\/p>\n
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Alinghi is the latest to issue a rebuke to America’s Cup Defender Team New Zealand, following the announcement of the 38th America’s Cup venue on 15th May 2025Swiss America\u2019s Cup team Alinghi Red Bull Racing issued a statement today, Thursday … <\/p>\n