“Now I’m not very popular in New Zealand”

At the age of 65, New Zealand sailor Grant Dalton proved last Wednesday in Barcelona that he is the undisputed leader of the New Zealand team and president of the America’s Cup Events Institute, organizer of the 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona 2024, he pointed out, “It wouldn’t have been possible without the essential support of all the institutions in the city and the country. Now I’m not popular in New Zealand, outside of that there are opinions for and against defending the title, but we had strong reasons. Take this decision.” He points.

“We had few opportunities for corporate support, and the government was very critical of us because of various pressures. Our country is small, the big supporters are in Europe, and the funding we need is in Europe. It’s true. It was disappointing for our fans, but I think they understand now.” Concrete.

The New Zealand team lacked the backing of big fortunes such as INEOS Britannia (Jim Radcliffe), ‘Alinghi Red Bull Racing’ (Ernesto Bertarelli) or ‘Luna Rosa Prada Pirelli Team’ (Patricio Bertelli) and had to obtain their sponsorships through other means. than them. recognizes that, “We haven’t looked at the team’s budget yet. One is the sporting issue, the team is already defined, and the other is the financing, which is never finished. That’s why you’re always looking for new markets and sponsors.” .

On Prada’s exit as a sponsor in Barcelona, ​​the New Zealand leader explains, “In the last edition, Prada was the sponsor of a team that was the ‘Challenger of Record’ (expanding the protocol with the first challenger and defender) and the sponsor of the event. It was a very complicated one and it caused some conflict. .”

“Consequently and to avoid recurrence of these issues, I have decided that the Challenger Tournament (Challengers Selection Series), the Youth and Women’s America’s Cup and the finals of the 37th edition should each have their own sponsor and not. Something like what happened in the previous one”.

According to him, Barcelona was ready to host the 37th edition of the cup. “It’s not surprising because we know the work that companies and private initiative do together, which is important to me.”

“Another reason is that we know very well the reality of the city and its population and the respect that is held here for big events, which can help us a lot” It’s done.

Apart from the Swiss ‘Alinghi’ who have been training daily in Barcelona since August, the challenging teams in this edition have been training intensively in their respective countries. With defending champions Emirates New Zealand seen in some quarters as underdogs to retain the title in their home ground of Auckland, it is thought to be an open version.

“I think it’s good that they think so.” Dalton says, “The problem of defending the title outside our country and far away affects the families, the fans, etc. It’s very different from doing it there, it’s difficult, but we know it’s very important to do it in Barcelona. With the finances for the team and the only illusion that we’ll all face it here in our country. We are

As with the last editions of the America’s Cup, Barcelona will have some preliminary regattas in which defenders and challengers can participate. This version will have three.

These regattas will be held in the second half of 2023 and the first half of 2024. The first two AC40 (monohulls with ‘foils’ 12.20 meters long) and the third, AC75 (monohulls with ‘foils’ 22.90 meters long), will play the penultimate stage and final of the 37th America’s Cup. This third regatta will be held in Barcelona at the same regatta as the Cup.

The first one will take place in Cagliari (Sardinia) and is led by the head of the event, “It won’t be in Auckland, that’s ruled out, or it won’t be in Malaga. It will be in Catalonia, maybe in Tarragona or Sitges or other cities near Barcelona.”

The Youth America’s Cup will be held in Barcelona for its third edition after San Francisco in 2013 and Bermuda in 2017, but for the first time in the 172-year history of the Women’s America’s Cup event, there will be a complete revolution.

According to Grant Dalton, “Both competitions are high-performance, and all participants will compete under the same conditions, something that has never happened before, and Olympians will combine the safety and skill of their teams and teams in high-level groups, especially encouraging female sailors. . This is a program that excites us.”

The deadline for team registration is May 31, 2023, and the possibility of a sixth challenger, a French team, is on the table. “The problem is almost over. The New Zealand team will help him with the design problem, and although there will be an AC75 (they are talking about ETNZ’s ‘Te Kahu’ ex-AC75), I can’t put a time frame on when it will be ready. .”

Citizens of Barcelona, ​​Grant Dalton believes, because Spain will not have a team in the cup “They consider us the ‘home’ team, we are grateful to Barcelona and we will do everything possible to be worthy of their support.”

Seven times around the world

Born in Auckland (New Zealand), Grant Stanley Dalton is 65 years old and has four children. Like many children in the so-called ‘City of Sails’, he was going to be a sailor. He studied accountancy at the University of Auckland and started sailing at a young age, deciding that his place was at sea when he finished his studies.

He made this decision in 1977 when he saw the Whitbread ship ‘Heath’s Condor’ with Peter Blake from his grandparents’ home in Auckland.

He has circumnavigated the world seven times; The first six were part of the Whitbread Circuit World Race, later named the Volvo Ocean Race. He won the 1985-86 edition aboard ‘Lion New Zealand’ captained by Peter Blake, and Maxey returned again in the 1993-94 edition captaining ‘NZ Endeavour’. In 1995, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire for his contribution to sailing.

In 2000, in command of the maxi catamaran ‘Club Med’ around the world, starting from Barcelona, ​​together with Guillermo Altadil, he broke the current world record (62 days and 7 hours).

After New Zealand’s humiliating defeat in the 2003 America’s Cup final against Swiss ‘Alinghi’ in Auckland, he was called upon to restructure and revitalize the team.

In 2007 in Valencia, again in the final, they again lost to ‘Alingi’ in Valencia and won in 2013 after an incredible loss in the final in San Francisco (ETNZL won 8-1 and lost 9-8 to ‘Oracle’. Also in Bermuda in 2017 , Cup also in Auckland in 2021. With ETNZ he won the TP52 Audi Met Cup circuit in 2009 and 2010.

Passionate about motorcycle and car racing (he has participated in over 150 races) and owns racing motorcycles and cars. In 2017 he nearly lost his life in a race on the Isle of Man. He still races today.

“I’ve done seven rounds around the world and a few America’s Cups, but motorcycle racing is the most intense thing I’ve ever done.” Explain.