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Wellington - A Dutch team has joined the contest for the 2021 America's Cup in New Zealand, meaning seven syndicates will be vying for yachting's most prestigious trophy, organisers said on Friday.
Holders Team New Zealand (TNZ) said the Dutch team was a joint entry from the Royal Netherlands Yacht Club Muiden and the Royal Maas Yacht Club.
It comes after TNZ recently announced a team from Malta and a second US team had entered the regatta, which will be held in Auckland.
"This is really positive news for the Auckland event in 2021," TNZ chief Grant Dalton said.
"The reality is, the more teams that race in the Prada Cup challenger selection series, the greater the spectacle on the water and the better the economic return off the water for Auckland and New Zealand."
The regatta involves challengers competing for the Prada Cup, with the winner then racing TNZ for the America's Cup, the oldest trophy in international sport.
TNZ earned hosting rights after defeating Team USA in Bermuda in 2017.
The 2021 campaign will see competitors racing hi-tech foiling monohulls, which rise above the surface of the water, rather than the catamarans used in Bermuda.
The Dutch entry is yet to be named.
The five other challengers are: Luna Rossa (ITA), American Magic (USA), INEOS Team UK (GBR), Malta Altus Challenge (MLT), and Stars & Stripes Team USA (USA).
