“The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron is pleased to announce that it has accepted the challenge of the Royal Yacht Squadron Limited, represented by Ineos Britannia, to be the official challenger for the next America’s Cup”the organizers announced on Friday.
The challenge was launched by the British just after their defeat (7-2) against the Kiwis on October 19, where the competition ended. “The 38th edition began the moment the team crossed the finish line”said Grant Dalton, general manager of Team New Zealand.
As a “challenger of record” (or reference challenger), Ineos Britannia, financed by British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, boss of the petrochemical group Ineos, will be the contact for the title holder to define the date and regulations for the next edition.
This year, five challenges faced each other during the Louis-Vuitton Cup, which determines the challenger who will compete in the America’s Cup against the defending champion.
According to the press release sent to the media on Friday, the teams entered will have to compete aboard the AC75, 75-foot foiling monohulls. Challenges will only be able to build one by the next edition.
Neither the date nor the location of the event have been revealed at this stage, but “it is hoped that the match will take place within three years following the end of the 37th edition”specifies the press release.
The location is to be announced within the next eight months. Team New Zealand won the world’s oldest sporting trophy for the third time in a row in October after 2017 and 2021.
The Englishman Ben Ainslie, quadruple Olympic gold medalist and helmsman of Ineos Britannia, announced to the media his intention to launch this challenge to win the silver ewer as soon as he lost to Team New Zealand.
