See full version: America’s Cup: End of the dream for Stars Stripes
Deadlines for payments of millions of Euros came and went without any monies being transferred. Understandably, the other teams – who had paid their dues on time – were reported to be unhappy at their continued inclusion on the list of Challengers. here
The news this week that the America’s Cup Arbitration Panel had quashed an attempt by the ailing American Stars + Stripes syndicate to pave the way for it to borrow another team’s first generation AC75 to take part in the Prada Cup Challenger Selection Series can have come as no surprise to anyone – including, I suspect, the team’s founders Mike Buckley and Taylor Canfield.
Having run out of time and money to finish and launch its own AC75, Buckley and Canfield came up with the idea of borrowing a boat from one of the other teams in order to compete in the preliminary events in Auckland. To make that happen they needed the Arbitration Panel to effectively waive the “built in country” element of the America’s Cup protocol. [links]
Since then, however, news on the Stars + Stripes campaign has been sparse. The last story on its America’s Cup web page was posted in March 2019 and the direct address starsandstripesteamusa.com has lapsed and is available for purchase. more
COR36 also requested that the Arbitration Panel exclude Stars + Stripes from further participation in the 36th America’s Cup, something which the panel refused to rule on and suggested would need to part of a separate request to the panel.
Defender:
• Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) here
The America’s Cup Arbitration Panel is called on to settle off-the-water disputes between the sailing teams and so far the panel has issued decisions in 10 cases ahead of the 36th America’s Cup to be held in Auckland next year.
Of the three late entries, only Stars+Stripes USA remains committed, however, it is unclear what entry payments have been made, nor is there knowledge of a boat being actively built or sailing team assembled. [links]
While Tillett would like to see all four challengers – including Italy’s Luna Rossa, INEOS Team UK and American Magic – make the start line, he concedes after the latest ruling it is now unlikely. But when will Stars + Stripes Team USA concede? more
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 ( NOT KNOWN )
✔ February 1, 2020: Boat 2 can be launched ( DELAYED )
✔ April 23-26, 2020: First (1/3) America’s Cup World Series event in Cagliari, Sardinia ( CANCELLED )
✔ June 4-7, 2020: Second (2/3) America’s Cup World Series event in Portsmouth, England ( CANCELLED )
• December 17-20, 2020: Third (3/3) America’s Cup World Series event in Auckland, New Zealand
• January 15-February 22, 2021: The PRADA Cup Challenger Selection Series
• March 6-15, 2021: The America’s Cup Match
The question put to the independent arbitration panel was whether "constructed-in-country requirements" applied to just the America's Cup race against defenders Team New Zealand - therefore excluding the Prada Cup challenger series. more
In the decision the independent arbitration panel confirmed the rule applies for all events. more
American syndicate Stars + Stripes have been denied the request to use a Team New Zealand boat in the Prada Cup challenger series at next year's America's Cup.
In the application, Stars+Stripes pointed out the query over using Team New Zealand's boat was "not a hypothetical question" and said that "The Arbitration Panel's decision in this matter will have direct and immediate implications and could determine the applicant's continued participation in the remaining Events". [links]
In July, the American syndicate were hopeful of being able to purchase the first boat of another team in time to sail in this month's Christmas Cup regatta, but the arbitration panel ruled against it because of the country of origin rule over hull construction in the large and complicated boats. more
A late entry to the 2021 regatta, Stars and Stripes battled financial pressure over the past two years while trying to ready their challenge, missing a series of important deadlines. more
While it has appeared for some time that Stars and Stripes Team USA, sailing out of the Long Beach Yacht Club, would not make the starting line, the syndicate has now officially withdrawn from the 36th edition of the regatta.
The four remaining teams have been active on the Auckland waters this week, going through various practice sessions in preparation for the America's Cup World Series regatta next week, which begins on December 17. While the team have had the opportunity to run through some non-race situations this week, the regatta will be the first opportunity for official, competitive racing in the 75ft foiling monohulls. [links]