If Team NZ win the Cup, many commentators are suggesting that they will take the event back to the dark ages.

After many teams expressing concerns as to whether they could mount a campaign if the 33rd America's Cup were to take place in Auckland, Kiwi boss Grant Dalton has accepted that going on and winning the America's Cup would not be popular.

"A lot of the other teams don't want the Cup to go back to the other side of the world and the middle of night", he said about the fact that a Cup down under offers nothing like the same commercial opportunities that Europe has opened up.

The first Cup in Europe has seen a sea-change in marketing. Many teams have had up to 30,000 guests on 48-hour hospitality trips, a visit lasting less than the time needed for a return flight to New Zealand.

The second major concern is the fact that the kiwis will re-establish strict nationality rules by reversing the relaxation made by the Swiss.

"A fundamental corner-stone to a win environment would be take the Cup back to a contest between nations", Grant Dalton said, adding this would "play to Kiwi strengths".

So if the cup did come back to Auckland and Team New Zealand were to impose some sort of nationality rule, who would we expect to see join the challenge?

Despite the fact Keith Mills has said he would review his challenge were the Cup not to stay in the major markets of Europe or USA, New Zealand Herald journalist Julie Ash count on the British to be there.

"A possible challenger of record could be the new British Challenge Origin", she wrote, underlining the fact that Sanderson has said that Origin would be mostly British.

"South Africa's Shosholoza, Spain's Desafio Espanol, Italy's Mascalzone Latino and Luna Rossa also have strong nationality links and provided they find the money could take the total to five", she added, forgetting the reservations they expressed about their involvement if the America's Cup were to take place in New Zealand.

"In the last cup in Auckland three American teams lined up", remembered Julie Ash. "There are plenty of good American sailors around and enough money within the United States to see one, perhaps two, teams come to Auckland".

As "Oracle boss Larry Ellison is sure to keep chasing his cup dream" and with the second American team, the total is rounded up to seven.

"China Team have said they are keen to go again and in this cup have introduced a number of Chinese sailors, which could be enough to see them mount a challenge on their own", she continued. "That makes eight".

Germany and France both competed in Valencia. Both were multi-national teams and underfunded.

"So it is difficult to see them competing in Auckland", she said. "But France have a long history in the event and plenty of good sailors. Maybe the lower cost of living in Auckland could see them return. That's nine teams".

Finally, "the cup's return to New Zealand could spark Australia's interest. They have sat out the last two America's Cups, but with a cluster of quality talent around, including James Spithill, Grant Simmer and Adam Beashel, and a wealthy backer, they could make a welcome return to the game".

"The inclusion of an Australian team and one other country in which there may be interest (Korea, Malaysia and the Middle East) would take the total to 11. Which is plenty."

New York Times yachting writer Christopher Clarey believes the regattas may be vital if the cup does return Downunder.

"The concept might also help boost the commercial prospects of another cup in New Zealand, because it would allow sponsors a larger shop window before the cup returned to the purer, remoter waters of the Hauraki Gulf."

There could be a series of regattas in Europe, Dubai and the United States, leaving the challenger series and America's Cup for Auckland.

"So with 11 potential challengers, pre-regattas around the world, the cup returning to Auckland doesn't sound unrealistic", concluded Julie Ash, maintaining the faith for the America's fans.