Tuesday 29 March 2011

America's Cup: Cup Field Swells to Ten Entries


The America's Cup, San Francisco Bay. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/www.americascup.com

by Tim Jeffery

The field of entries for the 34th America’s Cup increased to 10 last week with two additional entries, which at the time were both private.

After this morning’s announcement revealing China Team as Challenger No. 8, seven of the nine challengers are public: Mascalzone Latino (Italy, Challenger of Record), Aleph-Équipe de France, Artemis Racing (Sweden), China Team, Emirates Team New Zealand, Energy Team (France) and Team Australia.

The field also includes ORACLE Racing, the defense team candidate.

“We are very pleased to welcome our eighth challenger, China Team, to the 34th America’s Cup,” said Richard Worth, Chairman of the America’s Cup Event Authority. “China Team makes a wonderful addition, bringing another continent of athletes into our international field of strong competitors, as well as a very powerful market to add to the commercial strength of the 34th America’s Cup.”

With the initial entry deadline just three days away, Thursday, March 31, the field for the 34th Cup is shaping up nicely. The 10 entries are equivalent to the recent history of the America’s Cup, which averaged 11 entries for the three events between 2000 and 2007.

34th America’s Cup Entries


ALEPH sailing team mock-up. Image copyright Team Aleph.

There are currently eight teams (the defender and seven challengers) entered in the 34th America’s Cup:

Defender: ORACLE Racing/USA
Challengers: Aleph-Équipe de France
Artemis Racing (Sweden)
China Team
Emirates Team New Zealand
Energy Challenge (France)
Mascalzone Latino (Italy, Challenger of Record)
Team Australia
Challenger #7 – Confirmed/Confidential
Challenger #9 – Confirmed/Confidential

ORACLE Racing
America's Cup