Alinghi, Oracle edge towards America's Cup compromise
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Swiss holders Alinghi and American challengers Oracle could be edging closer to an end to their interminable row over the staging of the next America's Cup.
The row has taken a new turn with an offer from Oracle to drop its legal action on condition that Alinghi agree to hold the next edition under the same rules as the 2007 Cup.
"This is our position, we just want to have fair rules similar to those of the last edition which everyone agrees worked very well... a very simple solution," Oracle skipper Russell Coutts said.
Coutts added that a meeting was scheduled this weekend in California between the two billionaire owners of Alinghi and Oracle, Ernesto Bertarelli and Larry Ellison respectively, "in order to try to find an agreement" on the next edition of yachting's most prestigious event.
"I'm very hopeful," Coutts said. "It's the first time that they'll meet face to face."
A spokeswoman for Alinghi confirmed that there was a "possibility" of Mr Bertarelli and Mr Ellison meeting up, stressing that the Swiss syndicate was "open to dialogue".
Rules were one area that "needed discussion", she added, saying that Alinghi had also been in contact with other potential challengers including the British Team Origin.
On Wednesday, Oracle wrote to Alinghi with a deal which if accepted would see the next Cup staged as a mono-hull regatta open to all challengers as per the widely acclaimed competition won by Alinghi in Valencia in 2007.
A row between the two boats erupted after Alinghi beat Team New Zealand in 2007 and announced that the next edition, scheduled for Valencia in 2009, would be held under different rules.
Oracle argued that the new format unfairly favoured the Swiss team and took the matter to court.
As things stand a legal victory for Oracle will see it in a head-to-head with Alinghi in Valencia next year.
Oracle Racing's new 90-foot trimaran yacht was launched at Anacortes in Washington State this month.
Alinghi is building its own multihull yacht which should be ready at the start of 2009 in case the duel goes ahead.
-AFP
