INEOS Britannia, the British Challenger of Record racing for the Royal Yacht Squadron Ltd, saw its campaign to win the 37th America’s Cup come to an end last weekend after a 7-2 defeat to the defender, Emirates Team New Zealand. But no sooner had the 37th America’s Cup reached its finale, Emirates Team New Zealand’s chief operating officer, Kevin Shoebridge, confirmed that a challenge had been accepted by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron for the next America’s Cup.

“We’ve accepted a challenge this afternoon but we’ll leave that for another day,” he said.

While Emirate Team New Zealand were keeping the identity of the challenger under wraps, Cowes Royal Yacht Squadron has revealed it has submitted a formal challenge to the winners.

Bertie Bickett, chairman of the Royal Yacht Squadron, spoke to Planetsail’s Matt Sheahan: “We made a formal challenge to the defender Emirates Team New Zealand / Royal New Zealand yacht Squadron as they crossed the finishing line to take the cup, and our challenge has been accepted, so here we go again.”

See the video interview below.

What’s next: 38th America’s Cup

As far as the shape of the competition moving forward, for the future, it’s widely agreed that the 38th America’s Cup will be in AC75s and Bickett confirms they want to keep the wraparound events of the youth and women’s cups and expand upon them.

Bickett says: “So just to confirm, yes, absolutely AC 75s – obviously they will evolve further just as they evolved from AC36 to AC37. I’m sure we’re going to see even more evolution next time around. Also the AC 40 is absolutely here to stay and the youth cup and women’s cup are 100 per cent here to stay. What we really want to do and what we have in common with the defender, is to increase the amount of sailing that’s going to be taking place between cups and to expand – where we can – our youth programme and our women’s programme.”

Bickett reflected about both Emirates Team New Zealand and the challenger were very much on the same page, which he deems as good for the sport and its future.

He notes continuity as incredibly important, in terms of investment and success. “It’s probably no huge great surprise that the three top teams in the Challenger Series were the three teams that competed in the last cup.”

The defeat concluded a historic campaign for Britain, which saw INEOS Britannia become the first-ever British team to win an America’s Cup Challenger Series, the first British team to race in the America’s Cup Match in 60 years, and the first British boat to score points in the Match in 90 years. These achievements combined set a new standard for British sailing in the America’s Cup.

Venue for the 38th America’s Cup?

Now comes a period of rumours and debating with regards to where the America’s Cup will be held next.

When asked whether Barcelona could provide a venue again, Kevin Shoebridge said “As a venue? I hope so, but no decisions about that stage. Hopefully in the next week or two we’ll put out a timetable when decisions like that will get made.”

Other locations being touted about have included Jeddah. And, of course, the Defenders could choose to take it home.

Emirates Team New Zealand concluded a historic chapter, winning the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup after an epic final showdown in Barcelona against the Challenger of Record, INEOS Britannia, in a single race that ebbed and flowed from the outset but ultimately saw the Kiwis secure victory by 37 seconds.

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