Photo, ©Ivo Rovira, 2008 for Alinghi

Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – “Tremendous arrogance and lack of respect for the teams involved” is the way Geneva-based Alinghi is referring to the announcement Monday by Oracle BMW that it will not participate in the 33rd America’s Cup sailing race but will instead continue to fight Alinghi in the courts.

The legal battle over the next America’s Cup began shortly after Alinghi won the last one in Valencia, Spain in July 2007. It has pitted the Swiss-based team, owned by Ernesto Bertarelli, against the US team that is part of the Golden Gate Yacht Club in San Francisco, and it focuses primarily on where the race should be held, the rules and what kind of boats will run the race. Fourteen teams are now registered for the race.

Alilnghi’s comments were part of an open letter published on its web site. Oracle BMW has posted its reasons why it feels that the rules made by Alinghi are not fair.

The America’s Cup has a long and curious history whereby the winner traditionally sets the rules for the next race.

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