Interviewed on CNBC in late October 2014, Ben Ainslie indicated that his America’s Cup challenge has a bigger budget than Oracle Team USA’s. Once again confirming that his budget is £80 million – approximately $128 million – he also said about OTUSA, “I know that their budget next time around is under $100 million.”
Asked “How many contenders have we got for 2017?” he replied, “Seven or eight.” This implies he knows of one or two more challengers who have not yet been announced. Remember that even though the Entry Period for challenges closed 8 August 2014, the Protocol for the 35th America’s Cup gives defender Golden Gate Yacht Club the flexibility to accept late challenges.