Alinghi out of next America's Cup

Alinghi pictured during America's Cup racing off Valencia, Spain in 2007. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Yet another major syndicate has pulled out of competing in the 34th edition of the America's Cup.

Two-time winner Alinghi has announced it will not enter a team and instead launch a new programme that will see the Swiss team compete in the Extreme Sailing Series.

A statement by Alinghi says it considers the existing conditions to make it impossible for the team to participate in the next Cup.

The Extreme Sailing Series is a championship raced with 40-feet catamarans.

In September, holders BMW Oracle Racing announced that the next Cup regatta would take place in 2013 in a new class of boat, the AC72, a wing-sailed catamaran.

Alinghi join British syndicate Team Origin and Italian teams Prada and Azzurra in opting out of the next America's Cup.

- NEWSTALK ZB