America’s Cup: Unexpected Announcement from Defender and Challenger of Record
by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com/nz 8 Nov 00:05 PST
8 November 2024
© Ian Roman / America’s Cup
Emirates Team NZ and INEOS Britannia – Race 7 & 8 – Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup, Race Day 5 – October 18, 2024
The Defender and Challenger of Record for the upcoming America’s Cup have announced immediate rule changes for the 38th America’s Cup aimed at preventing teams from sailing or testing before the Protocol for the next Cup is revealed.
The recently issued statement contains the following key points (summarized with our insights):
The AC75 class will remain, but the next America’s Cup will take place no earlier than 2027.
There will be no significant changes to the Nationality rules (some pre-March 2021 provisions and exemptions from the recently concluded America’s Cup will still apply).
There will be restrictions on sailing AC75 yachts for 12 months, along with a limit on sailing days for AC75s. It’s still unclear how this will affect new teams requiring sailing time in existing AC75s.
Development of LEQ12s is banned, but AC40s that remain “in class” may be developed.
Investigation into cost caps and a “carbon cap” is planned.
An aim to increase the number of Preliminary Regattas has been stated; however, it may be too late, given SailGP’s expansion and the movement of America’s Cup sailors to SailGP teams. The private owners of SailGP seem more willing to offer substantial salaries and bonuses to top sailors.
There will be plans to build upon the success of the Youth and Women’s America’s Cups using AC40s, which have established events that can rapidly expand and compete with SailGP.
The statement released by the Defender, Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, and the Challenger of Record, Royal Yacht Squadron, is as follows:
The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS) is pleased to announce that it has accepted a Notice of Challenge for the 38th America’s Cup (AC38) from the Royal Yacht Squadron Limited, represented by INEOS Britannia, who will serve as the Challenger of Record for AC38.
The parties are already collaborating to chart the course for the 38th America’s Cup, building on the success of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup in 2024.
“As the Emirates Team New Zealand’s AC75 crossed the finish line on October 19, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron received and accepted a challenge for the 38th America’s Cup from our long-time British friends at Royal Yacht Squadron Limited,” stated Gillian Williams – RNZYS Commodore. “It’s wonderful to have the RYS involved again, as they were the first yacht club to present this trophy over 173 years ago, which began the America’s Cup legacy. Together with Emirates Team New Zealand, we are excited to build upon the strong foundation created by our collaboration on the 37th America’s Cup and will continue to work on the details of the next event.”
It has been determined that AC38 will be a multi-Challenger event, and with the first challenge submitted, the Royal Yacht Squadron Limited has been designated as the Challenger of Record. Particularly, the following has been agreed:
(a) The yacht class shall remain AC75, and teams will be limited to constructing one new AC75 for AC38.
(b) The existing Crew Nationality rule from the AC37 Protocol will be maintained, with provisions for Emerging Nations set to be reviewed.
(c) The AC38 Match is scheduled to take place within three years of the completion of the AC37 Match, with any necessary adjustments for the sailing hemisphere, and the Defender will announce the Venue within eight months of the final AC37 race and also release a Protocol as soon as possible within that timeframe.
(d) Restrictions will apply to the sailing and testing of AC75 and AC40 yachts:
No sailing of AC75s will be allowed for 12 months following the final AC37 Match, except during any Preliminary Regattas that may be arranged with approval for new teams.
No development on LEQ Yachts, but the sailing of AC40 yachts “in class” will not be restricted.
A limit on the total sailing days for AC75 yachts will be introduced.
The Defender and COR have agreed to review and potentially implement other significant cost reduction measures for campaigns, including budget and carbon caps for teams, and will work on a strategy to further commercialize the America’s Cup.
Plans to increase the number of Preliminary Regattas aim to facilitate more racing throughout the AC38 cycle, incorporating both AC40 and AC75 formats, considering fleet racing and match racing options for both classes.
The Defender and COR are dedicated to enhancing the successes of the AC37 Women’s and Youth America’s Cup events.
Further details on the expected event schedule, venue, and other related matters will be announced in due course.
“We are thrilled to be confirmed by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron as the Challenger of Record for AC38, following our successful collaboration during the 37th America’s Cup,” stated Bertie Bicket, Chairman of Royal Yacht Squadron Ltd. “We are entirely committed to partnering with the Defender to establish a Protocol aimed at encouraging more participating Challenger nations and further promoting and expanding Women’s and Youth’s America’s Cup events.”
“The 38th America’s Cup effectively commenced the moment our team crossed the finish line in Barcelona on October 19,” said Grant Dalton, CEO of Emirates Team New Zealand.
“It is tremendously exciting to maintain continuity with the Challenger of Record, INEOS Britannia, as we seek to grow the scale of the America’s Cup worldwide. The third generation of AC75s, along with the exceptional broadcast reach of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona, has significantly benefited this unique sporting event, and we look forward to sharing future plans soon.”
“The 37th America’s Cup proved to be an enormous success both on and off the water, demonstrating the unique value of the America’s Cup as a global sporting property. We are eager to assist the Defender in fostering the ongoing growth of the Cup for AC38 and beyond,” stated Ben Ainslie, CEO and Team Principal of INEOS Britannia.
