28. AMERICA’S CUP CHALLENGER PLAYOFFS
28.1. Overview: The America’s Cup Challenger Playoffs shall comprise a Semi-
Finals stage and a Final stage, each of which shall include the following
agreed principles:
(a) the winner of each race scores one (1) point, the loser scores no
points;
(b) no Competitor shall compete in any more than three (3) races on
any one (1) day. An abandoned race is not a completed race;
(c) crew substitutions shall be restricted to two (2) crew for each
Competitor between each race on any day; and
(d) Competitors shall race in yachts that comply with the AC62 Class
Rule.
28.2. Semi-Finals stage: Only the top four (4) placed Challengers in the
America’s Cup Qualifiers shall qualify to compete in the America’s Cup
Challenger Playoffs. The top placed Challenger in the America’s Cup
Qualifiers shall choose its opponent in the Semi-Finals stage of the
America’s Cup Challenger Playoffs. The remaining two (2) Challengers
shall race each other. The winner of each Semi-Final shall be the first
Challenger to score at least five (5) points after applying any penalties.
28.3. Final stage: The winner of each Semi-Final shall compete against
each other in the Final stage. The winner of the Final stage will be the
first Challenger to score at least five (5) points after applying any
penalties. The Challenger that wins the Final stage shall qualify to
compete against the Defender in the Match. If for any reason the
winner of the Final stage is ineligible or unable to compete as the
challenger against the Defender in the Match, then the next highest
placed Challenger that is eligible and able shall be the challenger in the
Match.