Dubai: Dr Khater Massa'ad, the CEO of the Ras Al Khaimah Investment Authority and adviser to Shaikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah, has filed a "friend of the court" brief countering claims made by America's Cup Challenger, BMW Oracle Racing.
Reports appearing in the US media state that Dr. Massa'ad has filed a brief before a New York court countering claims made by BMW Oracle Racing that Ras Al Khaimah is not a safe venue for the America's Cup because of its proximity to Iran.
Massa'ad has insisted that Ras Al Khaimah is safe and has the infrastructure to host powerhouse sailing teams BMW Oracle Racing and defending champion Alinghi of Switzerland and their massive multi-hulled boats as they prepare to face off in the 33rd edition for the world's oldest trophy.
The "friend of the court brief" filed with the New York State Supreme Court is in response to BMW Oracle Racing's motion asking a judge to reject Ras Al Khaimah as the port for the best-of-three showdown beginning on February 8.
"If we perceived even the slightest threat to the security and success of the 33rd America's Cup, we would not have pursued this opportunity, as Ras Al Khaimah stands to lose the most were there to be any disruption to the event," Massa'ad has been quoted in the brief.
Defender Alinghi, owned by Swiss bio-tech billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli, announced Ras Al Khaimah as the venue on August 5.
In its motion filed earlier this month, BMW Oracle Racing cited "grave safety concerns" for its US-based crew that would be sailing a massive trimaran named USA within miles of Iran.
BMW Oracle Racing is owned by software tycoon Larry Ellison of Oracle.
RAK safe venue for America's Cup
Justice Shirley Kornreich has set a hearing for October 27 on the venue issue and ongoing rules squabbles between the bitter rivals.
A convoluted, two-year court fight has led to the rare one-on-one showdown. BMW Oracle Racing wants the races moved to Valencia, Spain, unless the teams mutually consent to another port.
Massa'ad said RAK officials are "surprised and offended" by BMW Oracle Racing's "attacks", and that the Americans are trying to change venues to a site with conditions that better suit their 90-foot trimaran.
The brief said the UAE has hosted high-profile events such as the Dubai World Cup, the world's richest horse race; the Dubai World Golf Championship featuring Tiger Woods; and the World Tennis Championship featuring Roger Federer. "We have gained vast security experience," Massa'ad has affirmed in his brief.
He also noted that Oracle's Middle East headquarters is located within a 45-minute drive of the America's Cup venue, and that BMW Oracle Racing is scheduled to compete in the Dubai RC44 Gold Cup next month, a sailing class founded by Russell Coutts, a three-time America's Cup winner who is BMW Oracle Racing's CEO and skipper.
