Has the Defender overplayed their hand?

No entries have yet been submitted for the 38th America’s Cup as Defender New Zealand works with the Challenger of Record from Great Britain to organize the event. Anticipated to be held in 2027, the two teams have agreed on some details with the venue to be confirmed by June 2025 after Barcelona declined hosting another edition.

One team that’s not liking the uncertainty is Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI) with Kiwi media confirming that the Swiss team won’t compete in the next regatta. After sitting out previous events for a 14-year stretch, they made a comeback last year, but will now return to the sidelines.

Headed by Swiss-Italian billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli, the syndicate first claimed the Cup in New Zealand in 2003, with Sir Russell Coutts and Brad Butterworth leading the team. They successfully defended four years later in Spain, before losing a Deed of Gift Challenge in 2010 to Larry Ellison’s USA team.

The timeline for the 38th edition is daunting. Until the defender reveals the venue and confirmed AC75 class rule, designers are handcuffed. Then with the yacht build time at 18+ months, the odds for challenging teams to catch up aren’t good. Bertarelli’s team was playing catch up for the 2024 event, and now the pace has quickened.

So who will challenge Team New Zealand? The British are allegedly in, though they lost their funding and design resources. The other 2024 teams – Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team (ITA), NYYC American Magic (USA), and Orient Express Racing Team (FRA) – aren’t saying much. Has the defender overplayed their hand? Standing by…

Details: https://www.americascup.com/