Team New Zealand Announces … Something

On Tuesday, Team Emirates New Zealand announced . . . that they’ll be making an announcement soon regarding the protocol for the 36th America’s Cup. The Kiwis have hinted at what we might expect their wish list to look like.

" . . . Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa Challenge are pleased to announce that the protocol establishing the parameters for the 36th America’s Cup will be released in September," a press release on the Kiwis’ website said. Team New Zealand offered a "proposed" date of early 2021 for the next Match, which would be summer in the Southern Hemisphere.

"The Protocol will contain a ‘constructed in country’ requirement for competing yachts and a nationality requirement for competing crew members," the press release went on to say. No other details were offered, and the sailing world will be left in suspense for a few more weeks wondering exactly what type of boats will race for the Auld Mug the next time around.

As we suggested satirically last week — but seriously now — strong nationality rules could give the Kiwis an advantage for years to come. Or conversely, it could inspire a new generation of sailors from other countries to contest one of the world’s greatest sailing nations for supremacy.

But let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves. The Kiwis have only recently reclaimed the Cup, and some celebration is in order (not to mention our taking as much of a break as possible from reporting all things AC).

"It’s fantastic to be home, we’re just so proud of being New Zealanders," Grant Dalton was quoted as saying on the Emirates TNZ website on July 5. The next day, Team New Zealand marched through Auckland with the Cup, and celebrated as only the Kiwis can.