33rd the Oracle-Alinghi war accelerates
Document Actions
The New York Supreme Court has decided to speed up the legal procedures following the request of the Golden Gate Yacht Club, the Club representing BMW/Oracle, contesting the protocol of the next America’s Cup in Valencia 2009. The judges have fixed September 10th as the date of the first hearing and have asked the Société Nautique de Genève, the yacht club representing Alinghi, to rapidly produce their defense, at the latest date being September 5th.
Since Alinghi’s victory and the publication of the 33rd America’s Cup Protocol published July 5th; it has been a war between the Swiss Defender and BMW Oracle Racing Team. The American’s criticized the Swiss for having tailor written the Protocol to suit themselves in cooperation with a Spanish yacht club allowing them to monopolize the organizational rights.
A “tailored protocol” according to them, is contrary to the Deed of Gift, the “Constitution” of the America’s Cup dating back to 1891! The Californian challenge wants the Société Nautique de Genève, to change their choice of Club Nautico de Vela (CNEV), most recently associated with the Desafio Español, considered as a « proxy challenge », and has presented their challenge directly via a friendly letter placed in the hands of commodore in Geneva on July 11th. Facing predicable rejection by the Swiss, the American’s decided to take their case before the New York Supreme Court on July 20th.
In the middle of all of this, Louis Vuitton announced at the end of July they would not continue as a sponsor, pointing their finger at the arrival of commercialism in the event. The sponsor of Prada, Bertelli, threw in the towel in announcing they would not participate in the 33rd edition. The American’s did not falter and hired Russell Coutts, the helmsman star who has won the Cup three times (two times for New Zealand, once for the Swiss). From their side, ACM and the Swiss have unrolled their scenario, registering with satisfaction new participants for the next edition; English; South Africans, and New Zealanders.
The only hitch, at the beginning of the week; the New York Supreme Court asked Alinghi to quickly present its case, in effort to visibly accelerate the process in the conflict. It is an announcement it seems which to have surprised the defender. From here on out, the scenario for the 33rd edition of the America’s Cup is a legal procedure, which should start during the beginning of October.
In any event, what can be said is that in the great tradition of the Cup, there is suspense not only on the water but also on land. It is a mirror of human spirit!
All of a sudden there are blows from every side … and it isn’t over yet!
Fdb-LH August 28-07
A “tailored protocol” according to them, is contrary to the Deed of Gift, the “Constitution” of the America’s Cup dating back to 1891! The Californian challenge wants the Société Nautique de Genève, to change their choice of Club Nautico de Vela (CNEV), most recently associated with the Desafio Español, considered as a « proxy challenge », and has presented their challenge directly via a friendly letter placed in the hands of commodore in Geneva on July 11th. Facing predicable rejection by the Swiss, the American’s decided to take their case before the New York Supreme Court on July 20th.
In the middle of all of this, Louis Vuitton announced at the end of July they would not continue as a sponsor, pointing their finger at the arrival of commercialism in the event. The sponsor of Prada, Bertelli, threw in the towel in announcing they would not participate in the 33rd edition. The American’s did not falter and hired Russell Coutts, the helmsman star who has won the Cup three times (two times for New Zealand, once for the Swiss). From their side, ACM and the Swiss have unrolled their scenario, registering with satisfaction new participants for the next edition; English; South Africans, and New Zealanders.
The only hitch, at the beginning of the week; the New York Supreme Court asked Alinghi to quickly present its case, in effort to visibly accelerate the process in the conflict. It is an announcement it seems which to have surprised the defender. From here on out, the scenario for the 33rd edition of the America’s Cup is a legal procedure, which should start during the beginning of October.
In any event, what can be said is that in the great tradition of the Cup, there is suspense not only on the water but also on land. It is a mirror of human spirit!
All of a sudden there are blows from every side … and it isn’t over yet!
Fdb-LH August 28-07
Larry Elllison@ACM 2006/photo Carlo Borlenghi