The Dutch have withdrawn their entry for the 36th America's Cup in Auckland, New Zealand, in 2021. The DutchSail team headed up by sailor Simeon Tienpont has not been able to find a main sponsor.
'We were very close,' the driving force behind the initiative Tienpont told the Dutch Broadcasting Foundation (NOS). 'As a sportsman this is a big disappointment. There was a lot of support from the business community and knowledge centres, but it was not possible to get a main sponsor. The past six months have been too short for that,' reports Tienpont. The team had until the 1 July to get everything in order.
Getting Ready for the Next Edition
As time played a dominant role in the decision to withdraw from the race, the team is now aiming for the next edition. Tienpont: 'This will give us more time, more knowledge and more opportunity to further light up the fire in the Netherlands. And in the meantime we will take the necessary initiatives, all aimed at putting into operation the maritime-technological ecosystem that has now been formed under DutchSail. We continue, on foiling speed!'
Research Projects at the Base of DutchSail
Chairman of DutchSail, Hans Huis in 't Veld said: 'The ecosystem is unique in its size and passion; it is about to start up research projects. Foiling America's Cup machines are appealing research objects for zero-emission shipping, for wind propulsion and other sustainability issues. More than ever before, the innovations in sailing races will be of decisive importance in the world of the maritime economy. We will continue with DutchSail, that much is now clear.'
Picture: Team New Zealand leading Oracle Racing at the first mark in the first race of the 2013 America's Cup (by Donan.raven).
