Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo 2023 S-Series LEADERBOARD

America's Cup: ETNZ Board Chair hits back at false allegations

by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World NZ 14 Jun 2021 09:24 UTC 14 June 2021
Prime Minister Jacinda Adhern (cetre) with Sir Stephen Tindall (right) ETNZ Chairman, Emirates Team New Zealand launch the world's first AC75, Auckland, September 6, © Richard Gladwell / Sail-World.com

Sir Stephen Tindall, the recently resigned Chairman of the Board of Emirates Team New Zealand has responded angrily to media claims that his retirement is "proof positive" that he does not agree with the direction the team is taking for its fourth Defence of the America's Cup.

The claims first surfaced in the international media over a week ago, and were repeated prominently in a leading and usually authoritative New Zealand business publication in a report on the defence plans for the America's Cup.

Late Monday afternoon Sir Stephen, who took over the Chairmanship when the restructured Team New Zealand Ltd Board was put in place in 2013, issued a written statement which was circulated by the team.

“I can categorically confirm that my retirement from as Director of Emirates Team New Zealand has absolutely nothing to do with the whereabouts of venue for the 37th America’s Cup. I am offended that [person's name redacted], without speaking to me would represent my retirement in such an uninformed manner to suit his own agenda and it would appear that of the [entity's name redacted].

"As a long term director of the team I completely understand the commercial realities of keeping the team operational and funded to be able to defend the America’s Cup and this is the number one priority for the team. The challenges of funding the team are even greater in a Covid 19 ravaged world."

"The decision on venue is related directly to the need to keep the team financially viable but of course it is mine, and everyone else at ETNZs preference to hold the 37th Americas Cup in New Zealand."

"But if the team aren’t able to defend the Cup due to lack of committed funding then the staging of the event becomes something of a moot point.”

Sir Stephen joined as a Director on October 2013, and resigned on June 3, 2021. He has been replaced by leading commercial lawyer and corporate adviser, Greg Horton who was a Board member prior to the 36th America's Cup Defence, when he switched across to be on the Board of America's Cup Event Ltd. Horton is a nominal shareholder of Team NZ Ltd. Grant Dalton has replaced Sir Stephen Tindall as the other nominal shareholder.

A much-publicised meeting will be held at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron Tuesday. It is one of several that have been held from time to time to update the RNZYS membership on the progress of the team as it prepared for AC36. The main topic of the upcoming meeting is expected to be the teams negotiations with the NZ Government and Auckland Council over the financial aspects of the 37th America's Cup and those two parties possible involvement.

In a separate issue some RNZYS members, unhappy with the perceived direction being taken by Team New Zealand, are attempting to garner enough support from the RNZYS members to call a Special Meeting of the club. A special meeting may be called by a group of 25 members, 18 days notice must be given of a special meeting, and it must have a quorum of 50 members.

Related Articles

Bulwarks and Bulldust – watch Episode Three
Episode Three - Greg Haines, Princess Yachts Australia - is now up and running Episode Three - Greg Haines, Princess Yachts Australia - is now up and running Posted today at 1:09 am
Maritimo S60 Sedan Motor Yacht - Global launch
Enhancements to both the exterior and interior deliver great appeal Leading Australian luxury motor yacht manufacturer, Maritimo, will proudly display the first S60 Sedan Motor Yacht at the 2025 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. Posted on 21 May
Maritimo M50 Flybridge Motor Yacht - Global launch
Setting the benchmark in long-range cruising motor yachts Maritimo, Australia's world-class luxury motor yacht builder, expands its next generation model line-up with the global launch of the all-new M50 Flybridge Motor Yacht at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, May 2025. Posted on 21 May
Top 10 baits from Lake Guntersville
Classic, main-river ledge fishing was good, pros slurped fish up off shallower places The Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Central Division event on Lake Guntersville was a great tournament, where all sorts of patterns worked. Posted on 21 May
Evolving an icon - Yellowfin's new video series
Building boats that deliver unmatched performance and unforgettable adventures on the water We're excited to introduce Evolving an Icon, a new video series that gives you a behind the scenes look at our process. The goal? Building boats that deliver unmatched performance and unforgettable adventures on the water, season after season. Posted on 20 May
Navigating in unfamiliar waters
When it comes to navigation, most of us simply rely on our Global Positioning Systems (GPS) There was a time when every car had a map and every boat had a chart. As Global Positioning System (GPS) displays became a standard feature, maps and charts have become somewhat obsolete. Posted on 19 May
Riviera's 72 Sports Motor Yacht Series II Premiere
Part of Riviera's 12 yacht showcase at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show Riviera celebrates two World Premieres at this year's Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. The new generation 72 Sports Motor Yacht - Series II joins the exciting new 4300 Sports Express as part of Riviera's spectacular 12 yacht showcase. Posted on 18 May
Washington state river restoration project
Reviving salmon habitat, supporting local jobs This spring, NOAA partner the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership broke ground on a large-scale salmon habitat restoration project on the lower East Fork Lewis River in Washington State. Posted on 17 May
Now is a great time to inspect your life jackets
BoatUS Foundation shows you how Every year National Safe Boating Week (May 17-23) helps remind boaters to make safety a priority all summer long, and of the need for having serviceable, right-sized life jackets for everyone aboard the boat. Posted on 13 May
Priority sportfishing legislation introduced
The bill would help level the playing field for U.S.-based companies Last week, Senators Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) introduced the Sporting Goods Excise Tax Modernization Act. Posted on 13 May
Palm Beach Motor YachtsMaritimo 2023 M600 FOOTER