Italian syndicate Luna Rossa has withdrawn from the 2017 America’s Cup in protest at what it dubbed the “illegitimate” decision to use smaller boats in the historic contest to save money.
For the 2017 contest, boats will be shrunk from 62 feet (19 metres) to 45-50 feet (13.7- 15.2 metres).
The new foiling catamarans will be cheaper to design, build and operate and race organisers hailed the decision as “a revolutionary cost-saving measure.”
But Luna Rossa said: “Following a careful evaluation of the serious implications of this unprecedented initiative, Team Luna Rossa confirms that it will withdraw from the 35th America’s Cup.
“Team Luna Rossa indeed considers illegitimate the procedure adopted and founded on an evident abuse of process by surreptitious use of procedures to modify the Protocol in order to overturn the Class Rule, which instead requires the unanimity of the teams entered.
“This is an attempt to introduce boats that are substantially monotypes and in total contrast with the ultra-centennial tradition of the America’s Cup, not to mention a two-month extension period to introduce further modifications to the rules, decided by the majority.
“All of the above contributes to a lack of credibility and uncertain technical grounds for what should instead be the most sophisticated sailing competition in the world.
“This radical change also implies a waste of important resources already invested based on the rules that were sanctioned in June last year. This means that the claim to reduce costs reveals itself as a pure pretext aimed to annihilate research and development achievements of some teams, and to favor instead preconceived technical and sporting positions by means of changing the most important element in the competition, the boat.”
Luna Rossa’s team principal Patrizio Bertelli said he had been left “frustrated by this manoeuvre that is unprecedented in the history of the America’s Cup”.
“However, in sports, as in life, one cannot always go for compromise, after compromise, after compromise; sometimes it is necessary to make decisions that are painful but must be clear cut, as only these can make everybody aware of the drifts of the system and therefore set the basis for the future: respect of legality and sportsmanship.”
Rivals Alinghi said they were sorry to see Luna Rossa throwing in the towel.
“Today is a black mark in the history of the America’s Cup,” said a team statement.
“Passion, talent and determination are qualities that characterise Luna Rossa and are needed in this competition.
“Luna Rossa gave us the desire to participate in 2000, and to win! The Cup is losing some of its appeal without you, cari amici (dear friends)!”