In another sign that billionaire Larry Ellison's vision for the America's Cup is too expensive, organizers say they want to reduce the size of the boats to be sailed in the 2017 regatta in Bermuda.
While intended to help some struggling syndicates, the unprecedented move would also reduce the status and prestige of sailing's marquee regatta, not to mention the sizzle generated when the 2013 America's Cup was sailed in cutting-edge, 72-foot catamarans.
And it could be troublesome. Not all teams are believed to be in favor of going from plans to sail the 2017 America's Cup in 62-foot catamarans to apparently sailing it in 45-foot catamarans.
A news release issued late Wednesday said the changes are being drafted and teams will be asked to vote before the end of March. Normally, a decision like this must be approved unanimously. It's believed Italy's Luna Rossa is against the change.
Harvey Schiller, the America's Cup commercial commissioner, said in the news release that reducing the size of the boat was discussed last year, but only Oracle and Emirates Team New Zealand were in favor.
Now that teams have seen the new souped-up 45s on the water, ''there is a clear majority of competitors who support the idea,'' Schiller said. ''I'd like to be able to say we have unanimous support from all the teams but that is not the case.''
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