SAN DIEGO — America's Cup teams have voted to reduce the size of boats to be sailed in the 2017 regatta in Bermuda, a cost-cutting move that could lead to the two strongest challengers dropping out. In a statement late Tuesday, organizers said a majority of teams favored the move from 62-foot (19-meter) catamarans to cats in the 45- to 50-foot (13 1/2- to 15-meter) range. They also said a majority of teams supported having the entire race take place in Bermuda, eliminating a qualifying regatta in Auckland, New Zealand — a move that could cost Team New Zealand its primary funding source. It's believed Italy's Luna Rossa and Emirates Team New Zealand voted against the unprecedented proposal to change the size of the boats in mid-cycle. Luna Rossa said last week it “will be obliged to withdraw” if the race boat was downsized. Team New Zealand supported the Italians. On eliminating the Auckland regatta, Team New Zealand tweeted it has filed for arbitration to reinstate the qualifier based on a signed and accepted bid. “We are fighting to keep Auckland as a qualifier,” Team New Zealand general manager Grant Dalton told New Zealand media Wednesday. “This isn't about government funding, this is not the end of Emirates Team New Zealand, it's about enforcing a contract and bringing America's Cup racing to New Zealand as agreed by ACEA (America's Cup Events Authority).” New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has said if the Auckland regatta doesn't take place, government funding will likely be withheld. That would make it difficult for Team New Zealand to continue competing since it doesn't have corporate sponsorship. The decision by two-time defending champion Oracle Team USA to contest the America's Cup in Bermuda rather than in the United States has also made it difficult for some teams and the event itself to raise sponsorship money. There's some question how much the downsizing of the boats will save considering some teams have already spent several months and tens of millions of dollars designing 62-foot (19-meter) catamarans. As it was, the larger cats were said to be a cost-saving measure over the 72-foot (22-meter) catamarans used in the 2013 America's Cup. And while smaller boats would mean reduced costs and a smaller crew, they could also mean less excitement for spectators. A boat in the 45-50-foot (13 1/2-15 meter) class would also be the smallest in America's Cup history. If Italy and New Zealand drop out, Oracle Team USA would conceivably have an easier shot at retaining the Auld Mug. — AP
