New Zealand

Team NZ challenges Akl regatta decision

14:05 pm on 2 April 2015

Team New Zealand chief executive Grant Dalton says it could be weeks before they get a response to their complaint against the move to scrap Auckland as a qualifying regatta for the America's Cup.

Emirates Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton Photo: Photosport

Listen to Grant Dalton

A majority of cup teams indicated they want all racing to be in Bermuda, during a debate about the rules of the competition this week.

The America's Cup Event Authority said it would now consider nominating a single venue for the qualifiers.

Team New Zealand filed an application to the America's Cup Arbitration Panel over the move.

Dalton said this was the first time it had happened, and he was not sure how long it would all take.

"There hasn't been an arbitration panel formed, in anticipation of this a few days ago we have requested - and I think Luna Rossa has too - for that arbitration panel to be formed.

"It's going to take a few weeks, there's no doubt about that, it's not an overnight procedure."

Prime Minister John Key reiterated today that the Government was only willing to help fund Team New Zealand if a regatta was held in New Zealand.

"If there's no regatta in New Zealand, I think there's virtually no chance for us putting in any more money," he said.

"The reason for that is, to justify the taxpayer expense of helping fund Team New Zealand, there would have to be some payback for New Zealand.

"And it's very unlikely there'd be much of a payback if it is entirely held in Bermuda."

Meanwhile, America's Cup teams have also voted to use smaller boats in the historic sailing contest to save money.

For the 2017 contest, boats will be shrunk from 19 metres to between to between 13.7 and 15.2 metres.

Emirates Team New Zealand battled it out against Oracle Team USA in 2013 but lost the series. Photo: AFP