In an interview with Italy’s La Stampa, Matteo de Nora, Principal of Emirates Team New Zealand, revealed that initial discussions between Team New Zealand and INEOS Britannia have started regarding the Challenger of Record for the next America’s Cup.
De Nora suggested that if New Zealand wins the 37th America’s Cup, INEOS Britannia is likely to be the next Challenger of Record, and vice versa. This early planning for the 38th edition emphasizes the strategic importance of this role in shaping future Cup events.
When asked for his predictions of the outcome of the 37th Match for the America’s Cup, de Nora replied [autotranslated from Italian to English]: “I’m partly Italian, my heart tells me Italy. But my mind doesn’t.”
“We’ve already started talking with INEOS Britannia to reach an agreement on who will be the Challenger of Record of the next edition of the America’s Cup.”
“Probably, if we win the Cup, the English will take on that role, while if unfortunately for us INEOS Britannia wins, then the Challenger of record will be Team New Zealand”.
To date little has been said about the 38th America’s Cup. The Protocol signed by the six yacht clubs represented in Barcelona imposes several obligations on the current participants, one of which is “not to challenge for or defend AC38 in any class of yacht that is not compatible with the version of the AC75 Class Rule as at the date of the of the final race of the AC37 Match …..”
The Clubs were also required submit a signed Deed of Participation, confirming their acceptance of several undertakings stipulated in the Protocol, including payment of “liquidated damages of USD$20million…..to be shared between the non-breaching parties to the Deed of Participation.”
