ETNZ and ORACLE Racing AC45s in Auckland. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com
by ORACLE Racing media
The revelation last week of Emirates Team New Zealand as Challenger #2 was a welcomed announcement for the America’s Cup. Although the second team to enter the Cup when the entry period opened last November, Emirates Team New Zealand had remained silent with its intentions while team CEO Grant Dalton worked to raise the necessary funds. Dalton cautions that his work is far from complete and that they have a long way to go, but Team New Zealand is a well-established brand and its entry is good for the America’s Cup community.
The deadline for the first entry period is 10 days away, March 31, and America’s Cup Event Authority now confirms the acceptance of a seventh challenger, as yet undeclared, bringing the total number of teams for the 34th America’s Cup to eight: including defender ORACLE Racing and challengers Mascalzone Latino (Challenger of Record), Artemis Racing, Emirates Team New Zealand, Aleph Racing, Energy Team, Team Australia, plus the one still-private challenge.
The latest entry has hopes at ACEA buoyed for upwards of two additional challengers before the March 31 close of the entry period. Additionally, there’s a late entry period that extends through the end of April.
America's Cup
