America's Cup teams have voted to reduce the size of boats to be sailed in the 2017 regatta in Bermuda, in a cost-cutting move that could lead to the two strongest challengers dropping out.
In a statement on Tuesday, organisers said a majority of teams favoured the move from the 19-metre catamarans to 14.65-metre cats.
They also said a majority of teams supported having the entire race take place in Bermuda, eliminating a qualifying regatta in Auckland, New Zealand - a move that could cost Team New Zealand its primary funding source.
It's believed Italy's Luna Rossa and Emirates Team New Zealand voted against the unprecedented proposal to change the size of the boats in mid-cycle.
Luna Rossa said last week it "will be obliged to withdraw" if the race boat was downsized. Team New Zealand supported the Italians.
On eliminating the Auckland regatta, Emirates Team New Zealand said on its Twitter account that it has filed for arbitration to reinstate the qualifier based on a signed and accepted bid.
"We are fighting to keep Auckland as a qualifier," Team New Zealand general manager Grant Dalton told New Zealand media on Wednesday.
"This isn't about government funding, this is not the end of Emirates Team New Zealand, it's about enforcing a contract and bringing America's Cup racing to New Zealand as agreed by ACEA (America's Cup Events Authority)."
New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has said if the Auckland regatta doesn't take place, government funding will likely be withheld. That would make it difficult for Team New Zealand to continue competing since it doesn't have corporate sponsorship.
There's some question how much the downsizing of the boats will save considering some teams have already spent several months and tens of millions of dollars designing 19-metre catamarans.
And while smaller boats would mean reduced costs and a smaller crew, they could also mean less excitement for spectators. The 14.65 metre catamarans will be the smallest boats in America's Cup history and aren't that much bigger than other one-design classes sailed in less-prestigious regattas.
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