America's cup new rules

Am a bit late to this but....

The AC is fundamentally a design race, and good top designers cost $$$$

The AC is also very much about money, and no matter which way you rewrite the rules to appear to make it cheaper, it is about accessing resorces and getting results that you have to pay for somehow.

AC teams are all commercial entities. They're structured around design and sailing teams that (begrudgingly) have to focus on sponsor requirements. Because their sponsors pay the bills and they want some tangible payback as well as the marketing associated payback they get by being involve.

The AC is (has become in the last 20 or so years) a very targetted marketing vehicle that appeals to, and is focused firmly on, those with high net worths. For they have the money and (company) associations to add value to the event and perhaps become future sponsors at some level.
(Most Kiwis have trouble getting their heads around this as boating is very accessible here. In most countries it is a pastime of the elite)

Ultimately though it is about the money of individuals who (could) have anything they want....... that money can buy. Except of course immortality. ..... but getting you name in the history books is one way they'll achive it. And what better way to do that than bring a bigger gun to the duel. (Challanging for a duel is such a very public way of saying 'I'm better at this stuff than you ae')

As for Team NZ. Well firstly lets not forget they're a commercial business, and they've smartly called themselves after the nation. This gives them our implied support and marketing wise it makes the whole AC thing look like a David and Goliath battle; New Zealand versus America; a marketers dream, and one which pays dividends by putting brand NZ in places and infront of monied folk who would otherwise have no interest in New Zealand.
Of course the 'America' in the term Americas Cup is taken from the name of the yatch which won the first match, but most either don't know or choose to ignore that fact. Surffice to say if that vessel had been called 'Black Pearl' or 'Rover' the event would not be what it is today.

And finally Team NZ have 2 key strengths, the first as said is in their brand. The second is in their longevity. They've been a continious AC focused saling team for a number of decades, no ther team has that. (Most AC teams are single event entities). As Dalts has said, if we opt out now we'll never be back.

Batman

oxnsox