Soon after the defending Swiss team Alinghi announced that the venue for the 33rd America’s Cup would be at UAE’s Ras al-Khaimah, America’s BMW Oracle has put out a conflicting statement.The Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) issued this brief statement from San Diego (August 5, 2009):
“Golden Gate Yacht Club believes Société Nautique de Genève’s choice of this venue, without our mutual consent, is contrary to the Deed of Gift and the decisions and orders of the New York courts. We are reviewing our options.”
Don’t take the champers off the ice yet (non-alcoholic champers in the Emirates). The process leading up to today’s announcements has been fraught with long, expensive legal battles that have taken much joy out of the build up. Too much time in court has alienated sponsors and spectators.
Hopefully the competitors can get out of the courts and onto the Persian Gulf where the real battle should be taking place.
Dr Geoff Pound
Geoff can be contacted by email at geoffpound(at)gmail.com on Facebook and Twitter.
Image: BMW Oracle.
