The former Swiss challenger for the America's Cup has spoken out against an "ongoing lack of transparency" following the announcement that Naples would be the regatta's host city. Alinghi Red Bull Racing has joined a chorus of challengers – including the British and American teams – criticising the conduct of the current title Defender, Team New Zealand.
"When Alinghi Red Bull Racing withdrew in April from consideration for the 38th America's Cup, we did so because we had serious concerns about the administration and governance of the Cup by [Team New Zealand]," read a statement from Alinghi Red Bull Racing. "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."
The statement continued, citing growing concerns around the governance of the Cup and calling the decision a "failure" on the part of Team New Zealand, who have "fiduciary duties" as the Cup's Trustee. It concluded by suggesting that Alinghi Red Bull Racing would be open to rejoining the Cup once a "shared understanding" and protocol had been reached.
This follows the initial statement released by the Royal Yacht Squadron's representative, Athena Racing, last week (22 May) which raised concerns about the impact the "premature announcement" would have on negotiating a fair sporting protocol.
Athena Racing explained that, as the Challengers of Record, their Group had been negotiating a protocol with Team New Zealand – the current defenders of the title – for the past seven months, aiming to deliver a fair and "commercially viable event for all America's Cup stakeholders". An agreement had not been reached at the point of the host city's announcement.
"Typically a host agreement has only followed the publication of an agreed protocol," the statement read. "In the absence of an agreed protocol, it is therefore difficult to understand what exactly has been agreed between Team New Zealand and the Government of Italy, as the sporting framework and details of the event do not yet exist."
Athena Racing noted that any hosting agreement would bind challengers to "financial and organisational obligations", as well as "potential liabilities", making its preemptive disclosure fundamental to the teams' "participation and commitment to the Cup".
The statement concluded: "While we have every confidence that Naples can be a magnificent host for the America's Cup, we believe that transparency and cooperation between the Defender and all Challengers is vital for the Cup's future. Therefore, the recent announcements from the Defender are premature, at best."
American Magic released a statement shortly after, urging Team New Zealand "to work in good faith". It also claimed that it would be "difficult to see how [New York Yacht Club] could participate" in the Cup without the "meaningful change" advocated for by Athena Racing.
"[Team New Zealand] has been unwilling to commit to the transparency and cooperation necessary to secure a fair protocol," the statement from American Magic read. "Without the structural framework necessary for challengers to pursue viable campaigns, it will remain extremely difficult to unlock the America's Cup's potential as a modern, globally relevant sports property."
This follows the news that former British challenger INEOS Britannia had withdrawn from the upcoming America's Cup following unsuccessful negotiations.
Read More/INEOS Britannia withdraws from 38th America’s Cup after failed talks with Athena Racing