America’s Cup: Team New Zealand boss reveals Auckland unlikely to host next edition

Team New Zealand bosses Kevin Shoebridge, Grant Dalton, Peter Burling, Matteo de Nora and Glenn Ashby celebrate winning the America's Cup. Photo / Photosport

One of Emirates Team New Zealand’s senior leaders has given the strongest indication yet that the next America’s Cup regatta would not be held in Auckland, if they win this series in Barcelona.

Matteo de Nora, the Canadian billionaire who is the team’s principal and a long-time backer, told Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera that if the next series is held within two years it would either stay in Barcelona or go to the Middle East.

“The Middle East is ready in two years. Barcelona already is. If we were to return to New Zealand, however, and it is a scenario, two years are not enough.”

He said countries in the Arabian Gulf had particular appeal for hosting the America’s Cup. Saudi Arabia would loom as a potential destination, having hosted the preliminary regatta for the 37th edition of the America’s Cup.

“We wouldn’t be innovators, in this sense: motorsports, tennis, golf, football have already been there. And everyone was happy.

“Many have the idea of Arabia as a closed and backward country. Instead, it is opening up too quickly. The Middle East means Saudi Arabia – but also Bahrain, Dubai, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Oman, places that have decided not to focus everything on oil anymore.

“The Americans at Liberty [media rights holders for Formula One] brought the motors to get a return. And the return is in hospitality: they sell packages for the boxes at crazy prices. A new window has opened for that part of the world.”

De Nora said defending the cup away from Auckland did not put Team New Zealand at a disadvantage.

Matteo de Nora: "The Middle East is ready in two years. Barcelona already is." Photo / Supplied

“I don’t think so. You don’t need to stay six months in one place to understand the currents. Nor does the fan base have much of an impact, unlike football. Auckland remains our base but returning to the Mediterranean was too important for the event.”

He said the hydro-foiling yachts would still be used, with some development of the current AC75s likely.

“They will be new-generation flying boats – revised and corrected. It would make no sense to change. To do that, all the teams should be compensated and the event moved forward.”

However he conceded that the yachts have “gone too far, from the point of view of electronics”.

“The idea is to have more sailors on board, and fewer cyclists. Or more batteries for watts. More sailors would also mean creating an environment with more opportunities for women. If we increase the roles, we open up to gender equality.”

De Nora has been a part of the Team New Zealand set up since 2000 and was part of the group who masterminded the rebuilding of the team after Alinghi won the Cup in 2003.

“Rebuilding from scratch is easier. It was an emotional investment, Peter Blake had already left the project, Russell Coutts had gone to Switzerland. Over the years we have become self-sufficient, we have gained the loyalty of sponsors, without any more help from the Kiwi government. It was one of the objectives and I am proud of it”.

In 2011, de Nora was awarded the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for contributions to yachting and medical philanthropy.