Yachting: Teams try to end impasse

Ernesto Bertarelli. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Horse trading will be the order of the day if the Alinghi move to hold the next America's Cup in Australia in February is to succeed.

Both Alinghi and challenger BMW Oracle have agreed to meet over the weekend to see if they can solve the current two-year-plus impasse.

BMW Oracle seemingly hold the whip hand legally - although the New York Supreme Court has yet to rule on several issues which the American syndicate has said stack the deck too firmly in favour of the defender.

Also pending is GGYC's breach of fiduciary duty complaint seeking to remove Alinghi's yacht club, Societe Nautique de Geneve, as Cup trustee.

That's where the horse trading comes in. Perhaps only if Alinghi concede in such areas are Oracle likely to consent to a regatta in Australia - which could, in theory, be better for Alinghi's giant catamaran, said to be more suited to light airs.

The Americans, unless they can be swayed by some Alinghi concessions, are likely to take the matter back to court to enforce the Valencia option - a powerful incentive for Alinghi to do some deals. In February, Valencia's wintry conditions could suit Oracle's giant trimaran better.

No one should hold their breath too long over this. Both syndicates have an appalling record on agreeing on anything. Oracle also know they are better suited by Valencia.

However, Oracle counsel David Boies gave what could be the first hint that the Americans could consider an Australian venue if the event was delayed by "a few weeks" to allow them to prepare.

That could be occasioned by the fact that Oracle are still on a big learning curve - as evidenced by breaking their US$10 million ($13.8 million) mast on their giant trimaran last week.

So, while Valencia may suit them better, it may also pose some problems and the cold, potentially big seas and heavy winds could be difficult; not to mention the wind chill. A key item will be the agreed wind speeds for racing.

Reports suggest a venue in Queensland - some have suggested Southport, a former America's Cup base for Australia One - might be favoured as it would provide the wind and sea conditions best suited for the giant multi-hulls built by both sides for the best-of-three races challenge.

However, Valencia still looms large. The Americans have a base there from the 2007 regatta and the comparatively lumpier conditions should favour their trimaran - so it is not an advantage they will give up lightly.

Both syndicates are to report to Justice Shirley Kornreich on Tuesday and, if they can't agree, Valencia looks to be the shot's eye.

Kornreich ruled last week that the Persian Gulf port of Ras al Khaimah - selected by Alinghi - was ineligible based on the Cup's 19th-century Deed of Gift. Alinghi has appealed. On Friday, the Swiss offered the compromise of sailing in Australia.

The Swiss said that if the Americans dropped their legal proceedings, they would select a specific location within 10 business days.

Meanwhile, in Nice overnight, the first head-to-head races in the inaugural Louis Vuitton World Series were due to begin, with Emirates Team New Zealand, BMW Oracle (skippered by Russell Coutts) and Britain's TeamOrigin (skippered by Ben Ainslie) among eight crews competing.

- ADDITIONAL REPORTING: AP