Michel Bonnefous, CEO of America’s Cup Management, on whether Valencia or another city will be selected to host the 33rd Cup: “Today we have a natural relationship with Valencia and Spain, and obviously we are discussing extensively the renewal of Valencia as a venue, but we haven’t reached an agreement so far. I imagine if we can reach an agreement with Valencia it will happen fairly soon, so we will be able to announce it quickly. If not, we start the process - for two or three months - to select another venue. We have a few cities already who have told us of their interest in hosting the America’s Cup.”

Michel Bonnefous, on discussions taking place with Valencia: “We have an extensive list of things that we have to agree with the city to be sure that we will be happy here. An example is there is some work planned for the port of Valencia. We have to make sure that the work they intend to do for the commercial harbour could live with an event like the America’s Cup, that the kind of things are actually checking with Valencia. Staying here would perhaps give more possibility for ACM to focus on improving the communication aspect of the America’s Cup, changing location perhaps would take the resources to focus on developing a new place. Changing places also however gives the Cup a new flavour - so both are interesting.”

 

Michel Bonnefous, on their vision for the future: “The most important part of this next Cup, as far as vision is concerned, is this new boat. But for the venue we have already worked for the last few weeks and we have considered the fact that a Formula 1 Grand Prix in Valenciau would be a plus and not a minus, we have worked on the detail and the planning for the infrastructure needed for that and its worked pretty well so its not a problem for us to live with F1, on the contrary.”

 

Michel Bonnefous, on interest from the teams in the next Cup:  “In Auckland only two or three teams committed to competing, this time we already have eight or nine teams who have declared that they are willing to continue. Honestly it could perhaps increase but we don’t know. We’ll see.”

Ernesto Bertarelli, President of Alinghi, on whether the prospective British challenger which bought SUI 75 knew the class of boat might change: "Team Origin were made aware of the possibility of the class change before they bought SUI 75 and there is a clause in the contract that states this possibility."

 

Brad Butterworth, Skipper of Alinghi, on the new class and event timing: “Everybody seems to want a new boat that is bigger, more exciting, difficult to sail, and faster, which is the emphasis behind it. So now we have to come up with a rule for it, and that will need a bit of hard work. I think that the timing of the event has got to meet those requirements, so the rule can come out with enough time and everybody can start designing and getting their tools, and designing and building the boat. It will probably take about 20,000 man hours to build a ninety-footer - it all takes it’s time. That is why the window of when the event is has to be a bit flexible, from the sailing point of view.”

 

Brad Butterworth, on what they have envisioned: “Something more exciting. These boats have been fantastic but I think they have got to the end of their life and people are looking for something that is a little bit bigger, a bit more difficult and more exciting. The guys and designers feel they have had their run with these boats and the class rule and they are looking for something else to stimulate them and part of that is to go with a new boat.

The canting keel is a difficult option. We can do it a little bit better with this sliding concept; it is not better, just different. In the end the boats will be bigger, faster, and harder to sail – 90 footers that won’t have hydraulic, electric run winches. The guys will have to be athletic; they will be tough boats to sail. We haven’t written the class rule yet; it will be put together and published over the next couple of months.”

 

Brad Butterworth, on a new class limiting the teams: “I think any of the good teams will take it on. They all have good designers and people. I don’t think the rich will get richer; it will be tough for some to catch up if we limit it to this class. I think the rule will be reasonably tight, like a box rule, but obviously this rule is pretty complicated. It would be nice to open it up a little bit more. It will be encouraged to come up with new innovative ideas. This is a design contest - a technology race. I think that’s the way the Cup has always been, and we are going to keep it that way.”

 

Brad Butterworth, on staying with Alinghi: “I’ve got a lot of mates on the sailing team and we want to stick together. We feel we have a good relationship with Alinghi and it’s been great to sail with Ernesto; over these last two campaigns I wouldn’t change a moment. So yes, we’re sticking here.”

 

Hamish Ross, General Counsel of Alinghi, on the reason for a Competitors’ Commission: “The reason is to involve all the players. Before, there was a Challengers Commission, which didn’t involve the Defender, and didn’t involve the organising authority. The aim is to have a central forum. The object is to have everyone talking rather than sending emails to each other. It’s simply a forum for exchange of ideas and information. The Commission does not have any voting powers to change the Protocol or the rules; it’s simply a forum to allow feedback to come through.”

 

Hamish Ross, on changing the Protocol: “Protocol amendments will require the Challenger of Record and Defender. The sailing jury is appointed by mutual consent between Defender and Challenger of Record. In terms of organising the regatta it is entirely in the hands of ACM.”