AC38 Teams respond

Grant Dalton, CEO of the Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand, and CEO of America’s Cup Events, was greeted with enthusiastic applause before explaining how and why the city secured the event.

“In 2012 and 2013, Naples hosted the America’s Cup World Series and we all remember the hundreds of thousands of people that supported the racing. That was in our mind and was a very important factor in the decision-making to bring the America’s Cup to Naples.”

Dalton quoted the Māori phrase “He Tāngata, He Tāngata, He Tāngata” meaning “The People, The People, The People”, conveying just how effective the Italian bid was to merge government and regional departments and secure success.

“The Italian government have been amazing to deal from the very start, setting out a vision that the America’s Cup should be in Italy and we have worked together so effectively. I honestly could not have wished for more and we look forward to the Louis Vuitton Cup and the America’s Cup here in Naples in less than two years’ time.”

Also present were representatives from Italian team, Luna Rossa Pirelli, and French team.

Athena Racing, representing Royal Yacht Squadron Ltd as Challenger of Record for the 38th America’s Cup did not attend.

The warm welcome and positive PR following the event was countered somewhat by the official statements from Teams, including Athena Racing, whose response read:

“The ongoing lack of transparency surrounding the recent announcement of the Host City for the America’s Cup in 2027 and the impact this is having on negotiating a fair sporting protocol are yet to be addressed by the Defender, Team New Zealand, who without consultation with Athena Racing, the Challenger of Record, yesterday announced in Naples: ‘In two years from now the Louis Vuitton Cup will have been sailed in the Gulf of Naples’.

“Athena Racing has been negotiating in good faith for the past seven months and still has serious concerns regarding several key clauses proposed within the protocol, which is far from being ‘final’ as the Defender suggests.

“Furthermore, we acknowledge the concerns raised by Alinghi, a former trustee of the America’s Cup, regarding the administration and governance of the event by the Defender, Team New Zealand. We hope the Defender will respond to these concerns and provide supporting information in a clear and transparent manner.

“Athena Racing is committed to finding a resolution and mutual consent on behalf of all Challengers for the 38th America’s Cup. We will respond imminently with a protocol and partnership framework to the Defender which we hope will allow for a successful event for all stakeholders in 2027 and beyond.”

In April 2025, Swiss Team, Alinghi Red Bull Racing withdrew from AC38 citing concerns about the governance of the event.

Thursday 29 May, Alinghi issued this statement:

“When Alinghi Red Bull Racing withdrew in April from consideration for the 38th America’s Cup, we did so because we had serious concerns about the administration and governance of the Cup by the Defender, Team New Zealand.

“While 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.

“They 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.

“In 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.

“Additionally, 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?

“This is just the latest demonstration of the Defender’s failure to live up to its fiduciary duties as the Trustee of the America’s Cup.

“These growing concerns about the governance of the Cup is why Société Nautique de Genève 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’s responsibilities and duties as Trustee.

“As a two-time winner of the Cup and a former Trustee ourselves, Alinghi will always feel a responsibility to the America’s Cup and believe that those who organise and run the event should always seek to put the collective interest of the Cup above all else.

“Like Athena Racing and American Magic, we believe that a successful America’s 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’s Cup stakeholders.

“If 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’s greatest sailing competition.”

The American Team also released a statement reiterating their support for the British in their endeavours to find a fair protocol and framework – before which they said they could not commit to participating in AC38.

The American Team stated:

“American Magic would like to put on record its support for the issues raised today by former America’s Cup winner Alinghi regarding the governance and administration of Team New Zealand for the 38th edition of the America’s Cup and the Challenger Selection Series, both scheduled to be held in the spectacular Gulf of Naples in 2027 and formally announced in Naples 28 May.

“Ever since the completion of the 37th America’s Cup last year, we have been concerned about the Defender’s unwillingness to commit to the transparency and cooperation necessary to secure a fair Protocol for the 38th running of our sport’s greatest event.

“In particular, we are concerned that Team New Zealand is not faithfully fulfilling its fiduciary duties as Trustee of the Cup. Notably, its decision to unilaterally agree a host venue deal with the Italian government and city of Naples, effectively selling the Challenger Selection Series without the consent of the Challenger of Record, Athena Racing.

“Its consistent failure to provide information relating to its responsibilities and duties as Trustee raise serious doubts over Team New Zealand’s willingness to operate with the necessary openness and integrity.

“We continue to support the Challenger of Record in their efforts to secure a fair and balanced Protocol, a transparent governance model, and an effective America’s Cup Partnership that benefits all stakeholders. Until such a framework is agreed, American Magic will not commit to participation in the 38th America’s Cup Challenger Selection Series.

In response, on 30 May, Emirates Team New Zealand released two statements; the first:

“The Defender, as per the Deed of Gift has the right and responsibility to choose the venue and the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Challenger of Record at the conclusion of the 37th America’s Cup also gives that full right and obligation to the Defender.

“The Defender remains committed to work with the teams to create a partnership for the future America’s Cups.”

This was followed by an updated version:

“Further clarification on today’s earlier statement from Emirates Team New Zealand regarding the agreed responsibility of the Defender on selecting the Host Venue of the 38th America’s Cup across all events including the Challenger Selection Series. The MOU with the Challenger of Record also says: ‘The Venue for the Match and for the preceding CSS will be determined and announced by the AC38 Defender within eight months of the AC37 Final Race. The final dates for the Match and the preceding CSS will be announced within a further two months of the Venue announcement’.”

americascup.com