During the dark hours that America's Cup must live through, some seem to continue to advance.

According to usually well informed Sport Economy, the new Fuxia Challenge is in "advanced talks" with a first partner which could fund the first million dollars to launch the project.

It would be a partner "interested by sport and sail", said Massimo Lucchese, Financial Director for Fuxia. "They intend to use the operation as a framework for a wide-ranging communication campaign".

"We only need €1 million at early stage of the project", he added. "50,000 euros must be paid no later than December 15 and the 950,000 euros remaining during the next month."

"This is not an extravagant sum but it's true that it's harder to convince a partner in such a short period time", he said. "It's our greatest difficulty, and the only serious one, as we have a team ready, a yacht club partner and some professionals who are ready to join us".