Emirates Team New Zealand and Ineos Team UK have rebuffed an attempted America's Cup Challenge from New York Yacht Club.
With entries for the 37th edition of the America's Cup yet to open, the Americans have drafted a series of suggestions that would assure the future of racing over the next four regattas.
New York Yacht Club has released a 156-page challenge and draft protocol, expressing its interest, as well as listing suggestions for the future of the America's Cup.
The club established the Cup in 1851, after winning the annual Isle of Wight regatta with the schooner America and donating the trophy. NYYC boats dominated the competition for 132 years - the longest winning streak in sporting history - before losing to Royal Perth Yacht Club.
But in a swift response from both holders Team NZ and Challenger of Record Team UK, the latest ploy from New York Yacht Club has been knocked back.
"RNZYS and Emirates Team New Zealand (as the current defender of the America's Cup) welcome the New York Yacht Club's interest in the next America's Cup, but questions their motives for such a presumptuous statement, when entries do not open for some time," says Team NZ.
"There have been some valid points raised by NYYC, a number of which are already being considered in developing a progressive and forward-thinking protocol between the defender, and Team UK and the RYS (as Challenger of Record for the 37th America's Cup), who are the two parties responsible for developing the next protocol."
Team UK have released a similar statement, concurring with Team NZ's stance.
"As the Challenger of Record for the 37th America's Cup, we are working collaboratively with the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and Team New Zealand to write the protocol that will define the rules moving forward," Team UK and Britain's Royal Yacht Squadron say.
"We are delighted to hear that the New York Yacht Club are interested in continuing participation in the America's Cup and we will keep them informed as we move forward."
New York Yacht Club wants to see the next edition of the America's Cup staged in Auckland in 2024, with the Cup's future still up in the air and speculation that the Isle of Wight could host the event.
Its intent to declare itself as Cup challenger is also the first since the confirmation that Team UK would be the Challenger of Record, with fears that the next America's Cup could be limited to two entrants, under a supposed deed of gift from Team NZ.
The Americans' proposal also called for an independent organising committee and the creation of an America's Cup Board of Governors, the confirmation of the AC75 design for the 37th Cup, stricter nationality rules for crews and cost control measures to ensure sustainability for syndicates.
New York Yacht Club entered this year's America's Cup regatta in Auckland as American Magic and were eliminated during the semi-final stage by Italy's Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli.
Former Team NZ stalwart Dean Barker was American Magic's helmsman, steering their boat Patriot to a spectacular capsize on the Hauraki Gulf that crippled them through the remainder of the event.
