America’s Cup Postponed Over Venue Row

The 2009 America’s Cup in Valencia has been postponed because of a legal row over the legitimacy of the venue at which the prestigious sailing race was to be staged.

The BMW Oracle Racing team has registered a complaint questioning the manner in which rival team and current champions Alinghi went about picking the venue for the 2009 America’s Cup.

The San Francisco-based BMW Oracle say the Swiss defending champions chose an illegitimate yacht club to help set rules which are unfairly weighted in Alinghi’s favour.

Alinghi last week rejected the latest proposal from BMW Oracle which included changes to the umpiring of the regatta.
The dispute has led to America’s Cup Management issuing a statement delaying the race.

‘The ongoing uncertainty leaves the organisers no choice but to delay the event. Many indicators demonstrate a lack of viability to stage the event in 2009 to the same standards as the 2008 race.’

Alinghi said they understood why ACM had taken their decision adding they were ‘considering various scenarios for a Cup held in Valencia in either 2010 or 2011 and the implications for the team’.

However the BMW Oracle team criticised the move by ACM, with a spokesman saying: ‘There have been many opportunities to resolve this without taking this step. It’s unfortunate and unnecessary.’

The news also delays the debut of the UK’s TEAM Origin boat in the America’s Cup.