America's Cup: Coutts - Another Kiwi team could replace Team NZ

Oracle Team USA chief executive Sir Russell Coutts. Photo / Gilles Martin-Ra

Sir Russell Coutts is confident Team New Zealand will contest the 2017 America's Cup but has said if they don't front in Bermuda, another New Zealand syndicate would fill their place.

The America's Cup official website announced yesterday that the entire event will take place off Bermuda, taking away initial plans of Auckland host a pre-regatta - and with it the likelihood of Team New Zealand getting government funding.

Coutts, a five time winner of the America's Cup, told the New York Times that he still hoped to have six challengers in Bermuda and said it was unlikely Team New Zealand would withdrawal.

But if they did he said another team from New Zealand would most likely replace them.
"Others would put a New Zealand team together because frankly they have the components of a very competitive team, more so under this rule," the Oracle Team USA chief executive said.

"They have a great sailing team, and this rule favours a great sailing team."

Team New Zealand and Italian syndicate Luna Rossa have both protested the format change with Luna Rossa withdrawing from the 2017 event. Coutts told the New York Times he is keen for Luna Rossa to change their mind but is confident they'll find other teams to replace them.

"Ideally, no question you'd keep Luna Rossa in the game," Coutts said. "But I think we will definitely see other teams coming in because of the boat change, and I can tell you there's a Japanese team coming in, and when you see who the owner of that team is, you would debate whether it's bigger or smaller than Luna Rossa."

With Team NZ's bid for Government funding hinging on securing hosting rights to the qualifying regatta, there has been suggestion the Kiwi syndicate may be forced to close their doors without a top-up from the taxpayer.

Prime Minister John Key hinted at that on Paul Henry yesterday when asked whether the Government would fund the team now that there's no Auckland regatta.

"I think we're at the end of the road really," the Prime Minister said.

"Of course Steven Joyce will continue to have discussions with Grant Dalton, but the Government's position has been pretty clear.

"With the event being held 100 per cent in Bermuda, that becomes a really challenging issue to go beyond the $5 million we've already put in."

Team New Zealand say they have not agreed on the new format which takes away the Auckland regatta.

"Emirates Team New Zealand would like to clarify we did not agree on the format or location of the qualifier because we have still have our case for the previously agreed qualifier in Auckland pending arbitration," the syndicate said on their Facebook page.

Under the new format, all teams will compete in a double round robin format for the America's Cup Qualifiers. The top four challengers from the qualifiers will advance to the Challenger Playoffs.

The winner of the playoffs will meet the defending champion, Oracle.

The original decision to hold a pre-regatta in Auckland was strongly opposed by the European challengers, who indicated a preference that all of the racing in 2017 be conducted at a single venue, Bermuda.