Alinghi make another move
ByReuters
Published 10/10/2007 at 14:39 GMT
Alinghi have taken another step to try and persuade BMW Oracle to drop a law suit that could delay the next America's Cup and pitch their billionaire owners against each other in court rather than on the water.
SAILING Alinghi and BMW Oracle - file photo
Image credit: Imago
BMW Oracle, bankrolled by software mogul Larry Ellison, is suing Alinghi for rules they say would give the Swiss team an unfair advantage in the 33rd America's Cup, due to be sailed in Valencia in 2009.
Alinghi, owned by biotech billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli, accused Ellison of holding the Cup hostage but last week tweaked the protocol to try and persuade BMW Oracle to drop the case.
However, the US team continued to argue that the rules Alinghi have set give them a head start on designing the new boat to be used in the next America's Cup.
On Wednesday, Alinghi offered the challengers the right to pick a key parameter of the design rule that could effectively set back anybody who had already started drawing up plans.
"Is there a deal? No," said Michel Hodara, chief operating officer of ACM, the group organising the event for Alinghi.
"But there's been an offer and that offer is addressing what we gather is the last remaining hurdle for BMW Oracle to drop their case and enter," he said.
BMW Oracle and the five challengers who have already entered the next Cup met to discuss the proposal on Wednesday evening but agreed to keep their talks confidential.
"We did attend the meeting but that's all we can say at this time," said a spokeswoman for BMW Oracle.
"We're always happy to try to progress this."
If BMW Oracle and Alinghi cannot settle their differences, a New York court is due to hear the case on October 22. It could then drag out for months.
Last week ACM said it was considering putting off the 2009 event because of the uncertainty surrounding the court case, which is also making it hard for ACM and the team to sign up sponsors.
"It's business as usual and we're having meetings here and there," said Hodara.
"But nobody will get into a deal of that magnitude without some certainty."
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