America’s Cup World Series: Covid-19 wins

America’s Cup World Series Sardinia-Cagliari: Covid-19 wins

A decision made due to “force majeure”. And, in this period, there is no cause of force greater than Coronavirus. The pandemic is, in fact, forcing the organizers of each sector to cancel events, congresses and all sports competitions of any competitive discipline.

All moments of great public gathering must be avoided in order to contain contagion from Covid-19 as much as possible, including the America’s Cup World Series Sardinia-Cagliari which would have taken place in Cagliari from April 23th-26th.

Due to the worsening international situation with the Coronavirus and following the restrictions imposed by the different governments, the event organizers declared it was impossible to organize the races and therefore canceled the long-awaited event, relieving both the organizer and competitors from the obligations under the protocol.

The Arbitration Panel can’t postpone the event to a new date

Following the proposal submitted by the New York Yacht Club/American Magic to the America’s Cup Arbitration Panel with regard to the its participation to the America’s Cup World Series Sardinia-Cagliari and following the subsequent responses from the COR 36, the Defender and the INEOS Team UK, the Arbitration Panel formalized its decision (click here to read the press release).

The Arbitration Panel, in fact, was called to examine the proposal made by the organizing committee of the event, which would have been joined by all teams, the Defender Emirates Team New Zealand, Ineos Team UK, Luna Rossa and American Magic.

The Panel also established that it cannot decided the ACWS Sardjnia-Cagliari be postponed to a new date, additional ACWS be organized and any sailing blackouts not provided for in the Protocol should occur since the Arbitration Panel has no power to amend the Protocol.

Great disappointment for the Sardinian people, the call of the major of Cagliari

A postponement of the ACWS Sardinia-Cagliari to a new date would therefore only be possible through a possible agreement between the Challenger of Record and the Defender. However, as the Defender is not willing to accept a new date for the ACWS Sardinia-Cagliari, the event is definitively canceled.

The major of Cagliari Paolo Truzzu invites the Sardinian citizens and all sailing enthusiasts not to lose heart and to look at the future of the city with renewed confidence. ” I want to reassure everyone: the cancellation of such a long-awaited event which would have resulted into thousands of visitors, important business initiatives and therefore great visibility for our city will not make us be discouraged – the major says – We will continue to work on a further improvement of our city. I’m convinced that, at the end of the Coronavirus emergency, our city will have the necessary energies, ideas and strength to start and compete with the great capitals. It’s our project and we will pursue it with determination”.