Making the America's Cup more affordable to encourage potential challengers is a key element to emerge from the protocols for Team New Zealand's defence of the 'Auld Mug'.
The Royal New Zealand Yacht squadron and Royal Yacht Squadron - representing challenger of record INEOS Britannia - have released the details of the rules and regulations that will govern the next regatta.
Cost reduction has been a primary focus, with teams now only permitted to build one AC75 boat - the same foiling monohulls used earlier this year in Auckland - which will be maintained for the next two events. There will also be strict limits on how many foils and components can be built.
A multipurpose 'One Design' AC40 class has been introduced for teams to use for testing, development and match-race training. These will then be converted for use in new America's Cup women's and youth regattas intended to create "new accelerated inclusive pathways" into the sport.
Race crews have also been reduced from 11 to eight sailors.
The protocols confirm the event will be held in 2024, despite concerns a clash with the Paris Olympics may cause issues for sailors involved in both. Team NZ stars Peter Burling and Blair Tuke - 49er medallists at the last three Olympics - have delayed re-signing with the NZ boat, until they have a chance to review the protocols.
But a decision on exactly where the event will take place has been further delayed, with an announcement now not expected until March 2022. Cork in Ireland, Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and Valencia in Spain seem to be the current frontrunners.
Although Auckland now seems an unlikely choice as venue, fans may still catch Team NZ in action on local waters, with up to two preliminary AC40 regattas scheduled in the lead-up to the Cup. A third will take place at the match venue.
In another notable change, Team NZ will be allowed to compete in the round robin of the challengers series, but their results will be excluded from the scoring for the finals.
A shared recon programme will give the public more behind-the-scenes access to the teams' testing and development on the water, while a documentary series will take fans even deeper into the sheds.
Each team will also be required to build and operate two hydrogen-powered foiling chase boats for their campaign in a bid to reduce their carbon footprint and promote the use of hydrogen in the marine sector.
"As we saw with AC36, after 170 years, as the oldest trophy in international sport, the America's Cup maintains its unique position of balancing the traditions of the deed of gift, while continuing to push the boundaries of innovation, technology and design in the boats, the event, the broadcast and the commercial aspects of the event," says Team New Zealand chief executive Grant Dalton.
"Maintaining this balance is the ongoing challenge and responsibility of the defender and challenger of record, as we aim to progress into the 37th edition of the America's Cup in the ever-changing environment and demands of global sports, as well as a determination to drive sustainability through innovation, via hydrogen technology for the marine sector, which we both believe is reflected in this protocol."
As previously revealed, the nationality rule has also been modified, with each crew member required to either hold a passport of the country they're sailing for or have lived in that country for two of the past three years.
An exception allows a quota of 'non-nationals' in race crews for competitors from "emerging nations".
