Date for 33rd Cup set

Organising body ACM unveiled the competition format, which will include three pre-Cup regattas to give teams a chance to race against each other and keep raising the sport's profile.

However, the dates still depend on a legal battle between Alinghi and BMW Oracle which is being considered by a New York court at the moment.

If Justice Herman Cahn rules in BMW Oracle's favour, the U.S. team could have to take on Alinghi one-on-one next year and plans for the next multi-team event could be put back by years.

The set-up of the 33rd America's Cup has been changed from the last one in Valencia to give Alinghi, as defender, more chances to test their boat against the challengers because under the new rules, each team may only build one boat.

The yachts that will race in 2009 are a new class -- 90 feet (27.4-metre) rather than the old America's Cup Class boats which were 24 metres. They will also have 50 percent more sail area and 20 crew, three more than were allowed this year.

"The America's Cup has always been the pinnacle of the sport of yacht racing," said Britton Ward, principal designer for Spanish team Desafio Espanol, one of five challengers that have entered the 33rd America's Cup so far.

"This new breed will be visually impressive and promises to show spectacular performance. However, they will be challenging to sail to their full potential."

From May 2, 2009, Alinghi and the challengers will start a series of round robin races in the Trials. The top six will then go through to the three-round semi-finals.

The top ranked boat in the semi-finals will go straight to the Challenger Selection Final while the second and third placed boats will face off again for the other spot. The winner of the

Final will take on Alinghi in the America's Cup match.