America’s Cup: Grant Dalton accuses Mark Dunphy of ‘destroying’ Auckland’s chances

Grant Dalton has accused wealthy New Zealander Mark Dunphy of "destroying" Auckland's chances of hosting the 2024 America's Cup.

Team New Zealand and Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron confirmed their longstanding intentions to take the next defense to the high seas by announcing on Wednesday that the 37th edition would be sailed in the glamorous Spanish city of Barcelona.

Dunphy hoped to prevent that with his Kiwi Home Defense organization aimed at raising funds to provide the New Zealand team with the finances to remain in Auckland.

But in a campaign that began by threatening to sack Dalton if his so-called consortium gained control, Dunphy quickly fell at odds with Team New Zealand, who refused to compromise with Auckland businessmen and their proposal for a cash injection from $40 million, half his original estimate, to boost the $31 million bid from the New Zealand government and Auckland council.

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in a war of words Dunphy even served Dalton and Team New Zealand legal letters."Requesting that certain inaccurate statements be corrected and an apology be made."

The Cup defenders did not back down and accused Dunphy of attempted intimidation.

As the New Zealand team battled through a host selection process that required a six-month extension, they did not rule out Auckland if they could find the appropriate funding.

That never happened and while Barcelona were stumped with a winning bid of $128m from a shortlist of four international options, Dalton couldn't resist another shot at Dunphy, who has instigated an aggressive social media and advertising campaign in recent weeks. , desperate for public support.

“Dunphy pretty much torpedoed Auckland by himself,” Dalton said. Stuff from Barcelona

“He poisoned the well so much with his antics and naivety that no one dared to touch it because of the risk of getting dirty.

“So the irony is that he destroyed Auckland himself.

"We haven't done anything that we didn't say we were going to do a year ago."

Dalton doubled down on this when he introduced himself to international media on a video call later. When asked how he thought Dunphy would react to Barcelona's decision, he said: "I don't really care what he thinks."

Dalton praised the resilience of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron during this lengthy process.

“The squad has held its own under obvious massive pressure. They saw through the games that were being played very early and stood their ground behind the team. We are completely joined at the hips, as we have said many times," Dalton said.

On Wednesday, Kiwi Home Defense said it still believed significant funding from the private sector would be available for accommodation in Auckland, if needed.

"What should have been an exciting platform to showcase New Zealand's reopening to the world is now Spain's opportunity," he said in a statement.

"All New Zealanders will have a strong sense of disappointment at what Mr Dalton and his friends on the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron committee have done."

The oil company's co-owner, Dunphy, is abroad but a spokesman said they could still participate if the 2024 host returns to Auckland, but it was unclear how much cash was available.

"No one did the numbers, until we had a process involving the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and the New Zealand Team," said Charles Finny. Stuff.

Finny said there was more money available, in addition to the $40 million Dunphy personally pledged, but he couldn't give a figure.

Of those early calls for Dalton to be fired, Finny said: "That was Mark (Dunphy) talking about how it would be easier to raise money if there was new leadership."

The unlikely relationship ended after Dunphy confirmed he was in an email chain discussing with the defender's rival, the New York Yacht Club, a scenario in which he could unseat the New Zealand team's chosen challenger, a key element. in the next defense.

The Barcelona hosting agreement includes an organization representing 200 companies, and Stuff asked Finney if a combined public-private deal might have worked better for an Auckland defence.

"I don't know, we engaged very positively with both the central government and Auckland Council," he said.

Finny said: Kiwi Home Defense wishes the New Zealand team all the best.