America’s Cup judgement still stands
A New York judge has again sided with a US yacht club in a legal battle against the Swiss-backed yachting team Alinghi, refusing to hear new arguments on the case.
The judge let stand his November order that San Francisco’s Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) was the rightful Challenger of Record, not a Spanish club that had been chosen by defending champion Alinghi.
As Challenger of Record, GGYC can help negotiate the rules for the next regatta with Alinghi, which is funded by Swiss billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli.
Golden Gate backs BMW Oracle Racing, which is headed by Silicon Valley maverick Larry Ellison.
Following the latest ruling, Bertarelli said he would not appeal and plans to face BMW Oracle Racing in a best-of-three showdown for the trophy.
A BMW Oracle Racing spokesman said his syndicate feels it has the right to hold the regatta in October. Alinghi is pushing for July 2009.
Alinghi gets to choose the venue, which can be anywhere in the northern hemisphere. Valencia, Spain, site of last year’s America’s Cup, is an option, or it could be in another European port.
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