A big loss has been tipped for the next America's Cup.
1News can confirm Swiss syndicate Alinghi won't compete in the next regatta, with European sources saying the former Cup winners are not entering the 2027 event.
Alinghi made a comeback to the America's Cup in Barcelona last year, after sitting out previous events for a 14-year stretch.
Headed by Swiss-Italian billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli, the syndicate first claimed the Cup in New Zealand in 2003, with Sir Russell Coutts and Brad Butterworth leading the team. They successfully defended the Auld Mug four years later in Spain, before losing to American outfit Oracle in a straight match racing series in 2010. That one-off match racing series was fought in and out of the courtrooms.
Aside from Alinghi's now tipped no-show in two years time, the total number of challengers for 2027 still remained unclear.
Sir Ben Ainslie is predicted to front a new English team as lead challenger or "challenger of record". However, his campaign will no longer be funded by global petro-chemicals giant INEOS, following a falling out with billionaire owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
The Italians and Prada were expected to compete, especially if the regatta were to be held off Italy — but it was not yet known whether any American or any other syndicates would enter.
Team New Zealand has been approached for comment regarding the developments with Alinghi.
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