Alinghi yacht team face more legal problems

Team New Zealand filed two lawsuits against America's Cup champion Alinghi of Switzerland on Thursday, demanding compensation for delaying the next yachting regatta.

The Kiwi syndicate filed suit in the New York State Supreme Court under a breach of contract argument since the team signed up for the 33rd challenge with the promise that it would be raced in Valencia, Spain, in July 2009.

The other suit was filed in a federal court under United States antitrust legislation, stating that Alinghi abused its power “to stifle competition” by accepting a Spanish yacht club’s invalid challenge to “gain an unfair competitive advantage”.

Alinghi has already lost one court case, to San Francisco’s Golden Gate Yacht Club. A New York State Supreme Court judge ruled in November that the GGYC, which backs Oracle Racing, is the Challenger of Record, meaning it can help negotiate the rules for the next regatta with Alinghi.

Alinghi has appealed, but faces the prospect of a one-on-one series against Oracle Racing later this year for the oldest trophy in international sports.

“We are disappointed to learn of this legal action by Team New Zealand, given their previous public acceptance and commitment to the competition,” commented Lucien Masmejean, a legal representative of Alinghi.

These actions are totally without merit, wildly miss the target and will be defended rigorously. We share the sailing community’s frustration in the delays affecting the America’s Cup but Alinghi, as trustee, is duty bound to defend its position in the current legal action and to preserve the integrity of the America’s Cup.

Alinghi, backed by Swiss billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli, beat Team New Zealand 5-2 in the America’s Cup match off Valencia last year.