While most teams have welcomed the proposal to race the 35th America's Cup in smaller (45ft) foiling cats (see Related Content), one team is distinctly not happy! Luna Rossa issued this statement:
Team Luna Rossa Challenge is distinctly opposed to the proposal – announced today on the official web site of the America’s Cup – to change the Class Rule for the 35th America’s Cup and therefore the boat that was previously accepted by all challengers on June 5th 2014.
Luna Rossa does not believe that a sporting event should be disputed in a courtroom and does not intend to initiate a lengthy litigation process that would only bring prejudice to the event.
If the principle of unanimity of all challengers required to change the Class Rule were not to be respected Luna Rossa will be obliged to withdraw from the 35th America’s Cup.
Team Luna Rossa trusts that the Defender will quickly announce a public clarification, also to avoid jeopardizing the organization of the America’s Cup World Series – Cagliari – Sardinia event planned to take place from June 4 to June 7, 2015.
Surprisingly, ETNZ responded this morning by saying: Emirates Team New Zealand agrees with Luna Rossa Challenge . It would be unfair to change the rules at this stage unless all America's Cup teams agree to do so.
ETNZ at present is the worst-funded team and arguably has the best small boat sailors. At first glance it would seem the proposal for AC45s would suit them best of all teams. But there is something happening behind the scenes which they are not telling us about yet. There are more twists to come in this one.
– Roger McMillan, Editor
