DutchSail, the late challenger from the Netherlands, have advised the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron that they are withdrawing from the 36th America’s Cup.
Despite having received such strong backing from the local marine industry and interest from a number of commercial entities they have decided the clock has wound down for them to launch an effective challenge in 2021.
However the other late challenger, Stars + Stripes from the Long Beach Yacht Club, yesterday confirmed their ongoing commitment in a press statement. The Long Beach Yacht Club Commodore, Camille Daniels said: “Long Beach Yacht Club is committed to making the start line at the first America’s Cup World Series Event in Cagliari, Italy, our membership is excited and we are all working hard to achieve our goal of bringing the America's Cup to Long Beach.”
Mike Buckley, Co-Founder and Skipper of Stars + Stripes USA said, “We appreciate the continued support of LBYC and its membership, and the assistance of Emirates Team New Zealand and the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, over the past few months as we have reorganized our team. We continue to make progress with corporate partners, and believe we will have what it takes to be competitive in Auckland.”
As part of their commitment, Stars + Stripes Team USA will have to complete the entry fee payment process before they will be eligible to race. They have already made 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 instalments by 1 October 2019.
