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by Michael Burgess, New Zealand Herald
Kiwi America’s Cup icon Sir Michael Fay has resigned his 46 year membership of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in protest at the club’s decision to sanction the sale of venue and hosting rights for the next Cup defence by Team New Zealand.
Fay, along with fellow Cup luminaries Alan Sefton and Andrew Johns wrote an open letter to Commodore Aaron Young on Thursday (August 18), detailing the club’s “regretful approach to its obligations as Trustee of the America’s Cup”.
The trio argued that under the terms of the historic Deed of Gift, the squadron has “no license” to relocate the venue offshore, along with the fact that the decision means that New Zealand will miss out on the numerous benefits of a Cup defense.
They highlight the relevant Deed of Gift passage: “It is distinctly understood that the Cup is to be the property of the Club subject to the provisions of this deed, and not the property of the owner or owners of any vessel winning a match.”
The 37th defense of the America’s Cup will be held in Barcelona, after the Catalan capital won the rights in March following an international tender that saw bids from cities in Europe and the Middle East, in a process that commenced before last year’s successful defense in Auckland.
Fay is considered the godfather of the America’s Cup in this country, while Sefton and Johns played prominent roles in New Zealand’s pursuit of the Auld Mug…
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