Team New Zealand chief executive Grant Dalton presents Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni with a scale model of its 2024 boat, Taihoro, at a function in Rome, 27 May, 2025. Photo: Ian Roman / America's Cup/Photosport
Alinghi have hinted they could rejoin the America's Cup, but have slated Team New Zealand for celebrating the announcement of Naples as the 2027 host city without agreeing on a protocol with the Challenger of Record.
Team NZ have responded saying they had complied with the cup's Deed of Gift' in choosing Naples.
The Swiss syndicate announced in April that they would not compete in Naples, citing a lack of accountability and transparency from Team NZ as Defender of the America's Cup over the future of the event.
Alinghi had now suggested they could take part in Naples, if Team NZ and the Challenger of Record, Britain's Athena Racing, could agree on a protocol that sets out "an equitable sporting framework" for the event.
But the Swiss syndicate called into question Team NZ's consultation with Athena.
At a function in Naples on Thursday, Team NZ celebrated the announcement of the Italian city with local and central government officials.
That drew an angry riposte from Alinghi, who won the cup in 2003 and 2007.
"While we wholeheartedly welcome the choice of Naples as a perfect host venue for the Cup in 2027, our concerns were deepened yesterday when Team New Zealand celebrated the announcement of the host venue at an event in the city,'' Alinghi said in a statement.
"They had no right to do so without first having agreed a protocol with the Challenger of Record, Athena Racing, who were not consulted on the host venue arrangements which critically impact all challenging teams with regards to cost and logistics.
"In signing a commercial deal with the host city that includes the Challenger Selection Series of races for the Louis Vuitton Cup, Team New Zealand have sold something they do not own the rights to. This is not acceptable."
Team NZ race Alinghi in the America's Cup preliminary regatta in Barcelona, 2024. Photo: AFP
In response, Team NZ said they did have the right to choose the venue.
"The Defender, as per the Deed of Gift has the right and responsibility to choose the venue and the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with the Challenger of Record at the conclusion of the 37th America's Cup also gives that full right and obligation to the Defender," Team NZ said in a statement.
"The Defender remains committed to work with the teams to create a partnership for the future America's Cups."
The syndicate then added a further clarification.
"The MOU with the Challenger of Record also says: "The Venue for the Match and for the preceding CSS will be determined and announced by the AC38 Defender within eight months of the AC37 Final Race. The final dates for the Match and the preceding CSS will be announced within a further two months of the Venue announcement."
The Alinghi salvo follows criticism from both Ben Ainslie's Athena Racing and the American Magic syndicate last week about a lack of transparency over the protocol for the next cup.
American Magic cast doubt over its participation in Naples, but Team NZ responded saying the claims made were "unreasonable" and they were working closely with all teams to strengthen the future of the event.
Alinghi said growing concerns about the cup's governance had led to Société Nautique de Genève raising questions with the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron about the administration of the competition.
"Like Athena Racing and American Magic, we believe that a successful America's Cup hinges on openness, trust and a shared understanding among all participants.
"We remain hopeful that a protocol between the Defender and the Challenger of Record can be agreed that establishes an equitable sporting framework for the racing and a commercially viable event for all America's Cup stakeholders.
"If this can be achieved, then Alinghi is ready to explore ways that we can be part of that future, especially in the wonderful city of Naples in 2027, a truly fitting setting for the world's greatest sailing competition."
Team NZ chief executive Grant Dalton had been at functions in both Rome and Naples this week, celebrating the announcement of the host city.
At the Rome function, he presented Italy's prime minister Giorgia Meloni with a scale model of Taihoro, Team NZ's winning boat in last year's edition of the Cup.
In Naples, he referred to Italy's Luna Rossa syndicate as "our dear friends and closest competitors" and said the Italian government had been "amazing to deal with from the very start".
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