America’s Cup 2021: Jimmy Spithill says he would be ‘surprised’ if the Cup was not defended again in New Zealand

Despite suggestions that the New Zealand team could bring the America’s Cup to shore for their next defense, Luna Rossa’s co-helmsman Jimmy Spithill said he would be “surprised” if the Auld Mug did not defend themselves again. in New Zealand.

Ineos Team UK owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and head defender Grant Dalton are understood to have been in negotiations for a one-off defense on the Isle of Wight next year, returning to the site where the Cup was first played. America in 1851.

The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron has confirmed that it has already received and accepted a challenge for the 37th America’s Cup, but has not disclosed any information on who that challenger is and whether it will be a single match or a full regatta involving multiple teams. . They are expected to do so later this week.

Speaking after America’s Cup match 36, in which the New Zealand team beat Luna Rossa 7-3, Spithill said it would be a surprise to see the cup defended elsewhere after yesterday’s boardwalk scenes. .

“I mean, if you look at the amount of time and money that the average taxpayer and the Kiwi have invested in this team, I would have thought it would be absolutely obvious to hold the America’s Cup here,” Spithill said.

“You just have to look at the crowds, the people who have been here and the investment New Zealand has made in the New Zealand team. I would be surprised if it weren’t in New Zealand.”

Speaking to Mike Hosking of Newstalk ZB, four-time America’s Cup winner Brad Butterworth said he had heard suggestions that the next cup could be played outside of New Zealand, but “the ball is always bouncing in the America’s Cup. “.

“They are talking about Ineos, I suppose they would finance everything. Both teams would go to the Isle of Wight and play an America’s Cup like 200 years ago.”

NZME understands that the single match between the two is one of two options on the table, the other a full regatta in New Zealand in 2024.

Speaking to the Early Edition of Newstalk ZB, former America’s Cup sailor Dan Slater said he imagined there would be a crackdown on the nationality of the crew for the next challenge.

He told Kate Hawkesby that Ineos Team UK, like Team New Zealand, had a crew made up largely of local sailors and this could be reflected in the new residency rules.

Rumors were circulating that several teams wanted to be part of the 37th America’s Cup. It included Alinghi, Prada, and American Magic.

“The billionaires are going around thinking that the New Zealand team is probably, on paper, vulnerable.”

Slater said there were problems between the New Zealand team and the government over taxes and financing, and that sponsor Emirates likely suffered a cash hemorrhage over the past year due to the pandemic.

“So Emirates on the outside looks pretty vulnerable, so who knows? The people who really want to get their hands on the America’s Cup are probably spinning like sharks right now.”

Slater dismissed claims that the cup would leave New Zealand waters.

“I think it probably won’t happen,” he said.

But if the home team were struggling to get cash, “they might not have a choice.”

“I think the New Zealand team, given the history, it is much easier to race at home than on the high seas, so in general, there is a bit of give and take and money talks in the America’s Cup game,” Slater said.

The government has confirmed that it will commit funds for the New Zealand team’s upcoming defense, however the funds will be on the condition that the defense take place in New Zealand.

For the 36th Cup, Luna Rossa was the Challenger of Record and skipper Max Sirena echoed Spithill’s comments, saying it would be disappointing if the 37th Cup were simply a match with only two teams involved.

“I hope it’s just rumors of a Deed of Gift match between the two, it would be a shame for our sport and for the Cup. But I’m sure the people involved are smart enough to think of something better for the future of the cup “.