America’s Cup row continues with new lawsuit 14/01/2010 |
|
| |
| |
Alinghi has accused BMW Oracle of trying to win the America’s Cup in court, rather than on the water, after the challengers filed another lawsuit against the Swiss team.
BMW Oracle has asked the New York Supreme Court to decide whether Alinghi is allowed to defend its America’s Cup title with sails it claims were made in the United States.
The ‘Deed of Gift’ rules for the competition state that competitors’ yachts must be constructed in the country they represent.
Alinghi, which sails under the colours of Societe Nautique de Geneve (SNG), is based in Switzerland, while BMW Oracle, sailing under the Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) colours, is American.
Two days of talks between the two sides in Singapore to settle various issues ahead of the 33rd America’s Cup, due to start in Valencia on February 8, broke up on Wednesday (Jan 13).
Alinghi skipper Brad Butterworth said: “Clearly they are not ready to race. They have completely disregarded the jurisdiction of the ISAF America’s Cup Jury, which they sought so hard to have instated, and have instead reverted to the New York courts where they clearly feel they have a greater chance of success.”
But chief executive of BMW Oracle Racing, Russell Coutts, hit back: “Once again SNG is showing total disregard for the Deed.
“First, SNG claimed that sails were not part of the yacht. Then it claimed that Alinghi’s sails were built in Switzerland, not the USA. Now, SNG is saying that ‘constructed-in-country’ is not relevant until it announces its yacht for the match.
“Our aim is to make sure the Deed of Gift is upheld, and that the result of the match on the water is beyond question.”
Alinghi says BMW Oracle’s claim that the holders will be using US-made sails is wrong.
“The sails for the match have been constructed in a sail loft in Villeneuve, Switzerland,” Alinghi said in a statement.
Fred Meyer, SNG vice-commodore, added: “We won the right to defend the America’s Cup on the water by winning the 31st and 32nd editions. We want to go racing – we do not want the outcome of the America’s Cup determined in court.”
The two sides have been locked in a legal dispute for more than two years over the terms of the race.
|
| Back |
| |
| |
|
|
 |
Advertisement
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
