DutchSail withdraws as a challenger for the 36th America’s Cup
by DutchSail Media 2 Jul 2019 00:59 NZST
2 July 2019
DutchSail Skipper and CEO Simeon Tienpont (left ) with Managing Director Eelco Blok, former KPN Chief Executive Officer and top-level regatta sailor © Sander van der Borch
Despite tireless sponsorship and fundraising efforts, the DutchSail team has not meet its financial objectives to participate in the 2021 America's Cup race in Auckland, NZ.
Notwithstanding the many commitments from Government, R&D centres, the business community and many private individuals, the DutchSail foundation board concluded that it was financially unfeasible to actually continue the campaign.
As indicated in earlier phases, timelines played a key role in the board's decision. Pressure to secure crucial sponsorships throughout the year were unfortunately not met on time. "Time's up" was Eelco Blok announcement to Team New Zealand, the defender of the America's Cup. But not without acknowledging the patience and cooperation brought by the organizers in Auckland to allow a "late entry" from the Netherlands.
DutchSail is humbled by the overwhelming support from home and abroad for the daring initiative. From Government to private individuals, from ambassadors to builders, from volunteers to the world's top competitive Dutch sailors.
Simeon Tienpont, the driving force behind the initiative, remains militant: "We will continue. In recent months, a wonderful foundation has been built by DutchSail and participation in the America's Cup. We will follow the 36th edition very closely and then be ready for the next edition. Then we have more time, more knowledge and more opportunity to further ignite the fire in the Netherlands. And in the meantime, we will take the necessary initiatives, all aimed at activating the ecosystem that has now been formed under DutchSail. We will keep going on foiling speed!"
Chairman of DutchSail Hans Huis in 't Veld: "The scale and the dynamism of the ecosystem is unique; it is initiating research projects. Foiling America's Cup vessels are appealing breakthroughs for zero-emission shipping, wind propulsion and other sustainability issues. More than ever, innovations in competitive sailing will be crucial in the maritime economy world. We will continue with DutchSail, that much is now clear."