The America's Cup teams which voted this week to downsize the catamarans for the 2017 regatta have hit back at unhappy squads Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa Challenge, suggesting hypocrisy.
In a joint statement from cup holder Oracle Team USA, as well as challengers Artemis Racing (Sweden), Ben Ainslie Racing (Britain), and Team France expressed disappointment at Team New Zealand's reaction to rule changes, some of which were "insisted upon by Luna Rossa."
Great Britain's Sir Ben Ainslie says the move to reduce boat sizes for the 2017 America's Cup will make it cheaper and easier for teams to compete.
Teams voted to switch from 62-foot catamarans to 45-footers to cut costs.
Ainslie, who is due to take part with his team BAR, said, "The shipping and logistical costs of sustaining a long-term event (are) much more realistic."
However, Italian team Luna Rossa has withdrawn from the race over the ruling and Team New Zealand could follow suit.
The Italians said they had not agreed to the rule change and that it needed the unanimous approval of all teams before such a decision could be made.
Ainslie, believes the new regulations are a step towards making the America's Cup more appealing and easier to stage on a regular basis.
"We're trying to move away from the days of it being a billionaire's open chequebook - one event every five or six years - to something which is a sustainable, continuous event," he said.
The America’s Cup is disappointed to learn that Luna Rossa intends to withdraw its challenge for the 2017 America’s Cup.
While we have not yet received a formal notice of withdrawal, we take the team’s media statement that they are leaving the America’s Cup as real.
“I know all are disappointed with this decision taken by Luna Rossa, especially based upon their significant history in the America’s Cup,” said Commercial Commissioner Harvey Schiller.
“Since we started the Competitor Forum, I’ve worked closely with skipper Max Sirena on many issues facing the America’s Cup and our teams. We offered a range of solutions for reducing costs by introducing a new America’s Cup Class. Unfortunately Luna Rossa wasn’t prepared to accept the majority decision, as written in accordance with the rules of the event.
“It’s difficult to understand this withdrawal when our shared purpose has been to control expenses, encourage additional entries and build a better future for the Cup. It’s even more puzzling as it was Luna Rossa who insisted on the switch to majority rule on these issues.
“But looking at the bigger picture, the America’s Cup is now more accessible for new teams and with a new generation of people like Ben Ainslie, Nathan Outteridge, Jimmy Spithill, Franck Cammas and Pete Burling we have a strong foundation for a very competitive event.”
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