According to reliable sources, America’s Cup organizers are said to have given potential challengers a two-month extension in the deadline to enter.
The previous deadline being June 1st, Energy Team, China Team and Team Korea have now until August 1st to find the necessary funding in order to race in the Louis Vuitton Cup next year in San Francisco. If true, this merely reflects the difficulty these three teams have encountered in securing any sponsorship that will allow them to take part in the proper America’s Cup.
A sign of the hardships the least-funded teams are currently going through could be seen in the plain white hulls of the Chinese AC45 yacht during last week’s regatta in Venice, Italy. With the exception of ChinaEquity International Holding, founded by team owner Wang ChaoYong, no other logos were visible on the Chinese boat.
No sponsors for China Team in the America's Cup World Series regatta in Venice. Photo copyright Gilles Martin-Raget / America's Cup