Dubai: Former America’s Cup skipper and CEO of BMW Oracle Racing Russell Coutts has urged Defender Alinghi to set up a meeting immediately with the goal of holding the next edition of the sailing regatta in Valencia.
“We again confirm our willingness to sit down immediately with Alinghi for talks to resolve the outstanding issues surrounding the 33rd America’s Cup. There is no reason why they should not ask the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) to appoint an independent, neutral jury with the usual duties and powers of an international sailing jury. In that way any future disputes involving sailing rules and related issues could be referred to the jury instead of needing to go back before the court,” Coutts said in a statement released last night.
He strongly suggested that the teams shift back to Valencia where the America’s Cup was last held in 2007. “Valencia is the best option to get the America’s Cup back on track as soon as possible. This is what sailing fans from around the world are waiting for,” Coutts urged. “Both BMW Oracle Racing and Alinghi still have bases in the Port America’s Cup. The infrastructure created to the specification of the Swiss defender is in place, available and ready to recreate the atmosphere of the previous America’s Cup in 2007,” Coutts said.
Last week, Cristobal Grau, Director of Sport for Valencia City, said it would only take a few weeks to have Valencia back in action. On Wednesday, the Mayor of Valencia, Rita Barbera, said her city would welcome the Cup back with open arms.
Coutts pointed out that in her ruling at the New York Supreme Court on Tuesday, Justice Shirley Kornreich confirmed the primacy of the governing Deed of Gift document for the America’s Cup. “This means that Société Nautique de Geneve (SNG) must choose a Deed-compliant location. Although Valencia is in the Northern Hemisphere, it is possible to hold the 33rd Match there in February because both SNG and Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) had agreed to it by mutual consent,” Coutts said.
Alternately, Coutts asked Alinghi to come up with another venue in the Southern Hemisphere as per the rules. “Were SNG to propose a location in the Southern Hemisphere instead of Valencia, we ask the Defender to name it as soon as possible so that we have the maximum opportunity to make an informed assessment,” he said.
“The GGYC and BMW Oracle Racing are eager to race in the Match, starting on February 8. Our BOR 90 [the boat] is back in the water in San Diego, more refined than ever,” Coutts added.
After the major court verdict on Tuesday, BMW Oracle is now waiting for favourable decisions on two other issues pending before the court later this week. In a statement to Gulf News, the Challenger insisted that they are hopeful of Justice Shirley Kornreich ruling in their favour regarding two additional issues.
“We’re pleased with the court’s decision that Alinghi’s choice of the venue [Ras Al Khaimah] for the 33rd America’s Cup was not allowed under the Deed of Gift. We now look forward to Justice Kornreich’s decision later this week regarding two additional issues,” said Tom Ehman, spokesperson for the Golden Gate Yacht Club.
“First, we hope she [Justice Kornreich] will agree with our position that Alinghi cannot add additional ballast, equipment or sailors to the boat after it has been measured for compliance with the Deed of Gift’s restriction on length along the load water line,” Ehman has said in his statement. “Second, Justice Kornreich understands the need for a fair and impartial jury. Our position is that the sailing jury must have the normal powers to adjudicate,” he added.
