SAN DIEGO (AP) America's Cup officials have released the full schedule for the 2017 regatta in Bermuda while continuing to remain silent about an arbitration panel decision that reportedly went against organizers and could cost them several million dollars.
Racing is scheduled to begin May 26 with the double round robin qualifiers. For the first time, the defender, Oracle Team USA, will compete against challengers before the America's Cup match itself.
If the challenger that wins the qualifiers advances to the match, it will begin with a one-point advantage. Likewise, if Oracle, owned by software billionaire Larry Ellison, wins the qualifiers, it will begin the match with a one-point lead.
The qualifiers were pulled from Auckland, New Zealand, leading to an arbitration panel decision that remains clouded in secrecy.
