BMW-Oracle with mast, photo by Gilles Martin-Raget

Geneva, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) - Team Alinghi has suggested a venue for the 33rd America’s  Cup race with challenger BMW-Oracle off the coast of Australia, in order “unlock” the race and “return the competition to the water”. The announcement 5 November comes a day before a  hearing in the New York Supreme Court scheduled to determine whether Alinghi’s favoured venue in Ras al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates will be upheld by the court.

Justice Shirley Kornreich had ruled 27 October that Alinghi must choose a southern hemisphere location or Valencia, Spain for the race in February. The ongoing legal battle between the two teams threatened to postpone the actual race. Alinghi appealed that decision.

Alinghi says that a specific course can be decided on by the two teams if the Golden Gate Yacht Club, represented by BMW-Oracle, accepts the venue in principle, and adds that the Pacific Ocean off the coast of eastern Australia provides several ideal locations for the race.

BOR-90, BMW-Oracle’s boat, lost a mast during sea trials off the coast of San Diego, California, its home base, Tuesday 3 November. None of the crew was hurt and the team is investigating the causes.

Link to other site: Alinghi, BMW-Oracle,NZZ, TSR

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