Auckland (AFP)
Team New Zealand confirmed on Friday that the British team Ineos Team UK, led by sailing legend Ben Ainslie, will be Team New Zealand's official challenger for the next edition of the America's Cup, won this week by the New Zealander.
They also confirmed that the 75-foot (23-meter) AC75 foiled monohulls, which made their Auckland debut for this latest edition of the Cup, will be used again.
The challenger of the edition won this week by Team New Zeland was the Italian team Luna Rossa, beaten seven innings to three.
Although other teams may participate in the regattas, the challenger nominated by the winner participates in the development of the rules and conditions of future events alongside the Cup holder, the famous silver ewer.
Ineos Team UK was eliminated in the final qualifying phase against Luna Rossa (7-1).
According to Ben Ainslie, former Olympic champion, the AC75s, which can reach speeds of over 50 knots (92 km / h) thanks to foils allowing them to rise above the water, have given new life to this competition, one of the oldest in the world.
Team New Zealnd has not revealed the location of the next edition in 2024, but many New Zealanders, starting with Prime Minister Jacinda Arden, want it to take place again in Auckland.
The New Zealand team has already received offers from several cities, ready to pay a high price to host the next edition of the Cup.
© 2021 AFP