Three challenges received by New Zealand for 36th America’s Cup in 2021

AUCKLAND, New Zealand (LOG NEWS SERVICE) — On June 30, the end of the initial challenge period for the 36th America’s Cup, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS) confirmed that three challenges had been received and accepted.

The confirmed entries in order of receipt include:

• Circolo della vela Sicilia (Italy), represented by Luna Rossa

Challenge, the Challenger of Record;

• New York Yacht Club (USA), represented by American Magic and
• Royal Yacht Squadron Racing (UK), represented by INEOS TEAM UK.

“We are thrilled to have three very high-quality challengers confirmed for the 36th America’s Cup in Auckland. It is going to be a fantastic spectacle with this caliber of teams and the cutting edge yachts that the world has never seen. We welcome any further challengers from the teams that we are currently in talks with,” Steve Mair, commodore of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron said.

RNZYS said interest continues from other potential challengers around the world who have until Nov. 30 to enter, as per the Late Entry period defined in the Protocol. Challengers who enter between June 30 and Nov. 30 are required to pay a late entry fee of $1 million.

New Zealand defeated the defender, Larry Ellison’s Oracle Team USA 7-1 during the last America’s Cup, which was held in Bermuda in 2017 – the first time a U.S. defender held the America’s Cup outside the United States.

A series of warm-up regattas, The America’s Cup World Series, will be scheduled at various locations in 2019-2020 to help determine standings for the America’s Cup qualifiers in January and February of 2021.

The 36th America’s Cup match, which will be sailed in the new AC 75 Class fully foiling 75-foot monohull racing yacht, is scheduled to be held in Auckland during March of 2021.