Team New Zealand's challenge for the 35th America's Cup in Bermuda is
"back on track as it adjusts to life without Government funding," according to Dana Johannsen of the NEW ZEALAND HERALD. The
team's major sponsor, Emirates, confirmed its "continued
financial support of the team, in the hope they would encourage Team
NZ's other long-term backers to recommit." It will be the third campaign the airline has sponsored. Emirates
Team NZ CEO Grant Dalton said the response to
securing funding for the challenge "had been encouraging." Dalton paid tribute to the many sponsors and suppliers -- including
Emirates -- who have "stood by the team in the hard times" since the end of
the 34th America's Cup in '13 (NZ HERALD, 5/12). The AP's Bernie Wilson reported in a Cup cycle "full of upheaval, this is the most significant commercial sponsor to announce backing of a team." Dalton: "It's a brick in the wall but a significant one." There had been speculation that Emirates "might not return as the team's top sponsor, perhaps forcing the Kiwis to drop out." Emirates does not fly to Bermuda and "thus would have no direct marketing tie-in." Emirates Team NZ is "in danger of losing its government funding because America's Cup officials pulled a qualifying regatta from Auckland during a spat over changing the size of the boats in the middle of the cycle." The Kiwis are seeking arbitration and Dalton said that they will not "back down" (AP, 5/12).
