Dutch Withdraw America’s Cup Challenge

The 2021 America’s Cup regatta suffered another blow with a syndicate from the Netherlands withdrawing their challenge today, citing a lack of time to raise funds for their campaign.

The withdrawal of the DutchSail syndicate from the 36^th America’s Cup presented by Prada follows that of a challenge from Malta in late May.

However, the other late challenger from the Long Beach Yacht Club- Stars + Stripes Team  USA 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 paid 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.

Stars & Stripes were one of three late challengers, along with Malta and the Dutch, for sport’s oldest trophy, but have had to fend off suggestions since April it may withdraw.

Four challenging syndicates — from Britain, Italy and two from the United States — remain in contention to challenge holders Team New Zealand at the 2021 regatta in Auckland.

The photo shows work in progress on the America’s Cup base in Auckland.