America's Cup: Kiwis said to have "An agreement with the English for the next Cup"

Principal of the current Challenger of Record, Jim Ratcliffe at the wheel of his tender - Louis Vuitton Cup Final Race Day 1 - September 26, 2024 © Ian Roman / America's Cup

In an interview published in Italy, Emirates Team New Zealand Principal Matteo de Nora has told Italian newspaper La Stampa that initial discussions between the British and New Zealand teams have already taken place as to their preferences for the next Challenger of Record.

When asked for his predictions of the outcome of the 37th Match for the America's Cup, de Nora replied [autotranslated from Italian to English]: "I'm partly Italian, my heart tells me Italy. But my mind doesn't."

"We've already started talking with INEOS Britannia to reach an agreement on who will be the Challenger of Record of the next edition of the America's Cup."

"Probably, if we win the Cup, the English will take on that role, while if unfortunately for us INEOS Britannia wins, then the Challenger of record will be Team New Zealand".

To date little has been said about the 38th America's Cup. The Protocol signed by the six yacht clubs represented in Barcelona imposes several obligations on the current participants, one of which is "not to challenge for or defend AC38 in any class of yacht that is not compatible with the version of the AC75 Class Rule as at the date of the of the final race of the AC37 Match ....."

The Clubs were also required submit a signed Deed of Participation, confirming their acceptance of several undertakings stipulated in the Protocol, including payment of "liquidated damages of USD$20million.....to be shared between the non-breaching parties to the Deed of Participation."