Yachting New Zealand boss David Abercrombie has slammed the America's Cup class rule for not allocating a specific position for female sailors.
The AC75 class rule, written by Emirates Team New Zealand in conjunction with Luna Rossa, designates a crew of 11 to race on board the radical foiling monohulls.
Although the rule outlines that women can sail if they make the grade, Abercrombie said organisers should have gone further to improve gender equality.
“I'm disappointed. There should have been a rule to have a woman on board the new Cup boats,” Abercrombie told Newsroom.
“I know people will say women can join America's Cup teams as designers, engineers and sailmakers – and they do. But there needs to be a specific position for a woman sailor on the boat.”
“It's short-sighted. It would open up a whole new level of sponsors, and a whole new level of exposure.”
Abercrombie's call comes after Kiwi Olympic silver medallist Molly Meech revealed her interest in entering the America's Cup scene in time for the 2021 Auckland regatta.
Read the full article here.
