Athena Racing Statement on the 38th America's Cup - 29 May 2025
by Athena Racing 29 May 16:14 BST
Athena Racing (GBR) - Group A - Puig Women's America's Cup - October 10, 2024 © Ian Roman / America's Cup
The ongoing lack of transparency surrounding the recent announcement of the Host City for the America's Cup in 2027 and the impact this is having on negotiating a fair sporting protocol are yet to be addressed by the Defender, Team New Zealand, who without consultation with Athena Racing, the Challenger of Record, yesterday announced in Naples: "In two years from now the Louis Vuitton Cup will have been sailed in the Gulf of Naples."
Athena Racing has been negotiating in good faith for the past seven months and still has serious concerns regarding several key clauses proposed within the protocol, which is far from being 'final' as the Defender suggests.
Furthermore, we acknowledge the concerns raised by Alinghi, a former trustee of the America's Cup, regarding the administration and governance of the event by the Defender, Team New Zealand. We hope the Defender will respond to these concerns and provide supporting information in a clear and transparent manner.
Athena Racing is committed to finding a resolution and mutual consent on behalf of all Challengers for the 38th America's Cup. We will respond imminently with a protocol and partnership framework to the Defender which we hope will allow for a successful event for all stakeholders in 2027 and beyond.