France support for America’s Cup entries

French Sports Minister Chantal Jouanno said she supported the three French teams who have entered the 34th America’s Cup in San Francisco in 2013, but stressed their financing was not assured.

Jouanno “supports the initiative of these French challenges (and) in the event that the participation of one or more teams flying the French flag is confirmed, the sports ministry will be by their sides to accompany them in their adventure”, the ministry said.

“However, participation will only be assured when their financing is eventually finalised.”

America’s Cup organisers an-nounced last week that 15 teams had applied for entry into the oldest sporting event in the world.

Oracle, of the US, are the America’s Cup “defender” while Italians Mascalzone Latino are the official “challenger of record”, who have the right to help organise the event.

The event starts with the July 13-September 1 Challengers Series Louis Vuitton Cup, the winner going on to compete one-on-one against the American yacht in the September 7-22 finals.

Financing is always an issue, however, with only Oracle, Team New Zealand and Artemis seemingly safe in an environment where a minimum budget of at least $50m is required to compete.