All AC35 racing to be in Bermuda

AC Qualifiers and Playoffs otherwise to take place as per the Protocol

e remaining teams in the 35th America’s Cup have agreed the format for racing in 2017 with all racing to take place on the waters of Bermuda's Great Sound.

“At our Competitor Forum meeting this week, the teams agreed on the details of our race program in 2017,” said Commercial Commissioner Harvey Schiller.

All teams, including the Defender (as per the AC35 Protocol), will compete in a double round robin format for the America’s Cup Qualifiers, which will be sailed in the new America’s Cup Class foiling catamaran.

The top four challengers from the Qualifiers will advance to the Challenger Playoffs which consist of a match racing Semi-Final and Final. The winner of the Playoffs will meet the defending champion, ORACLE Team USA, in the America’s Cup Match.

Racing will take place in June 2017. A detailed race calendar will be determined by the Commercial Commissioner in consultation with the competitors and Regatta Director and published in due course.

Following the announcement Emirates Team New Zealand issued the statement: "Emirates Team New Zealand would like to clarify we did not agree on the format or location of the qualifier because we have still have our case for the previously agreed qualifier in Auckland pending arbitration."