AC36: NYYC will announce their intention to challenge in a conference call with key media tomorrow

NEW YORK – Yes, it's true. Your Ed. is reliably informed that New York Yacht Yacht Club will hold a presser tomorrow at noon EDT for key media with principals of their fledgling AC36 team to announce their intention to challenge for the 36th edition of the America's Cup, the oldest trophy in international sports – this after a weekend of meetings studying the AC36 Protocol released at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron last Friday NZT.

This is not exactly a surprise, despite other websites trumpeting it as breaking news. Sailing Illustrated has long since reported that the esteemed NYYC was expected to re-enter the AC fray after being away since the 2003 Cup in – tah dah – Auckland. We specifically named the Devos family, Hap Fauth (owner/driver of the Maxi 72 BELLAMENTE) and Terry Hutchinson as key figures. We continue to expect that all will be involved in NYYC's challenge, if not also on the conference call tomorrow with NYYC Commodore Phil Lotz. We also continue to be confident that a NYYC challenge will be a huge shot in the arm for the Cup, same as if Ernesto Bertarelli and his Team Alinghi throw their hats into the 2021 ring.

Your Ed. has been a proud member of NYYC since 1981, and believes this is great news for the Cup, and our sport. More tomorrow.