Next year's Youth America's Cup in Auckland has been cancelled.
The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron has confirmed that border restrictions caused by COVID-19 have made the Auckland event untenable.
Moved from its original location of China, the regatta was intended as a curtainraiser to the America's Cup and estimated to generate more than $10 million into the NZ economy.
"Despite the event being an official part of the America’s Cup and being fully funded through sponsorship and entry fees, as well as creating dozens of jobs for New Zealanders, it will not be given the same exemption status that other America’s Cup teams have been granted," says the RNZYS.
Many of the 19 entries across 13 countries had indicated they would arrive months before to train.
"We are bitterly disappointed," says RNZYS chief executive Hayden Porter.
"The sailors, boat builders, sponsors, plus everyone who has invested their time and passion into the Youth America’s Cup event, are all devastated by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s [MBIE] decision that this event cannot go ahead."
Porter says the decision is a huge blow, especially given the current financially strained climate, and he's "struggling to understand" the rationale behind it.
"The reasons we were given for not getting the immigration clearance required were that MBIE has not invested directly into this event and that New Zealanders could perform the sailing roles for the international teams.
"We are struggling to understand how that is possible as it is an international event and teams have to represent their country.
"Furthermore, it came at no cost to the Government at a time where New Zealand needs this type of event and investment."
