Ayre Challenge, Mascalzone Latino accepted into America’s Cup
VALENCIA, Spain: Italian team Mascalzone Latino and Spanish syndicate Ayre Challenge will sail in the next America's Cup.
Both teams announced their participation Tuesday. America's Cup Management said in a statement that two other teams would also announce their entry into the competition shortly.
Mascalzone Latino, which finished sixth in the last race, launched its bid out of the Reale Yacht Club Canottieri Savoia to compete in the next edition, to be sailed in Valencia in 2009, the team said in a statement.
Ayre Challenge, based out of the Royal Yacht Club of Denia, was the seventh challenger accepted by Alinghi and will give Desafio Espanol competition for Spanish affections.
“Ayre was already a reality, but with the official entry we have now become a fully fledged challenger,” team head Pedro Perello said. “We believe that the 33rd edition is going to provide yet more fantastic moments and now just hope that we can get on with the competition.”
The America's Cup could still be postponed depending the outcome of a court case.
Golden Gate Yacht Club, home of BMW Oracle Racing, sued Alinghi's home yacht club, Societe Nautique de Geneve, for accepting the challenge from Desafio Espanol, which it labeled an “invalid” challenger. The Americans are looking to remove the Spanish syndicate and negotiate the format of the rules with two-time champion Alinghi.
A decision in the case, which is being heard in New York State Court, is expected any day.
Shosholoza of South Africa, Team Origin of Britain, Team New Zealand and United Internet Team Germany have already entered.