Editor’s note: There is no doubt that American Magic (USA) and INEOS Team UK (GBR) will present formidable challenges capable of winning, but confidence is wavering for the final team, Stars & Stripes Team USA (USA). We hope we are wrong, but it is notable how the beginning of construction for their base coincides with when their US$1million late entry fee is due.
In addition to Challenges from Italy, USA, and Great Britain that were accepted during the initial entry period (January 1 to June 30, 2018), eight additional Notices of Challenge were received by the late entry deadline on November 30, 2018. Of those eight submittals, entries from Malta, USA, and the Netherlands were also accepted. Here’s the list:
Defender: • Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL)
Challengers: • Luna Rossa (ITA) – Challenger of Record • American Magic (USA) • INEOS Team UK (GBR) • Malta Altus Challenge (MLT) – WITHDRAW • Stars & Stripes Team USA (USA) • DutchSail (NED) – WITHDRAW
Of the three late entries, only Stars+Stripes USA remains committed, but they still must complete the entry fee payment process before they will be eligible to race. They have already paid their initial payment but as a late entry challenger under the Protocol they also have a liability to pay a US$1million late entry fee due in installments by October 1, 2019.
Key America’s Cup dates: September 28, 2017: 36th America’s Cup Protocol released November 30, 2017: AC75 Class concepts released to key stakeholders January 1, 2018: Entries for Challengers open March 31, 2018: AC75 Class Rule published June 30, 2018: Entries for Challengers close August 31, 2018: Location of the America’s Cup Match and The PRADA Cup confirmed August 31, 2018: Specific race course area confirmed November 30, 2018: Late entries deadline March 31, 2019: Boat 1 can be launched (DELAYED) 2nd half of 2019: 2 x America’s Cup World Series events (CANCELLED) October 1, 2019: US$1million late entry fee deadline February 1, 2020: Boat 2 can be launched April 23-26, 2020: First America’s Cup World Series event in Cagliari, Sardinia. During 2020: 3 x America’s Cup World Series events December 10-20, 2020: America’s Cup Christmas Race January and February 2021: The PRADA Cup Challenger Selection Series March 2021: The America’s Cup Match
Details: www.americascup.com
