Simon Van Velthoven talks to Martin Tasker ahead of race day 2 in the America's Cup final. Video / ETNZ
British sailing legend Ben Ainslie says it would be "astonishing...a huge shame" if the 2021 America's Cup was staged outside of New Zealand.
In the wake of revelations that Team New Zealand's demand for a massive hosting fee could see the event held in Abu Dhabi or Russia, Ainslie weighedin with his support for a New Zealand venue. He has also revealed there are significant issues to be dealt with, particularly in driving the costs down for the teams.
He personally didn't care if it was held elsewhere, but told Newstalk ZB's Tony Veitch that New Zealand deserved to be the hosts and it would be crazy to turn down the economic benefits.
"It would be a great shame given Team New Zealand's recent history and the support they've had from the country, to come back after 2013 with an amazing performance earlier this year.
"the history of support for the event in Auckland and New Zealand...it would be an amazing event and a real shame if that didn't go ahead.
"...the history of America's Cup in New Zealand, the marine industry development around that, $100m coming in through tourism, industry. I'm clearly not on the inside what those costs are to host the event and other areas of concern in the New Zealand economy and budgeting...(but the AC has) a significant economic impact."
Olympic superstar Ainslie was vital to Oracle's brilliant turnaround in 2013 and was a controversial figure as his BAR team battled away in Bermuda this year.
He overwhelmingly endorsed the new AC75 design, but said cost is a problem.
America's Cup sites Wynyard Wharf, Option B that sees the bases distributed. 12 November 2017 New Zealand Herald Photo by Greg Bowker.
"I was expecting something extreme, where we've come from with foiling multihulls. From sailors to spectators and fans, people like the speed and excitement.
"This is an extreme design and it will really push the designers and engineers to find ways...that this boat sticks together. STructurally it is a real challenge.
"It is definitely really appealing from a competition standpoint. But the one thing I would say about this boat is it will be very expensive. It won't be a cheap campaign to be successful, to beat Team New Zealand.
"As it stands, that will limit the number of teams who come down. Our intention is to enter once the window opens, and we've discussed it with partners and investors.
"We need to discuss some of the clauses in terms of the cost of the event, the World Series events and the cup match itself...challenging teams are up for funding a certain amount of those costs and that's not necessarily that well defined.
"There are a few areas which need clearing up before we entered but we are certainly working towards an America's Cup in New Zealand. But there is a fair way to go in negotiating class rules and details around the event...the location itself is going to be a big discussion item."
