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MADRID - The racing has not even started but already Alinghi are working on how they will run the next America's Cup if they retain the Auld Mug this time around.
One of the idiosyncrasies of the world's oldest regatta is that the winner takes all and decides where, when and how to run the next event.
So while Alinghi's sailors warm up for next week's America's Cup showdown against Team New Zealand, the Swiss team's lawyer Hamish Ross has his eyes set on 2009. Or whenever Alinghi might race again.
"I think everyone would like to see the cycle be quicker this time and two years is the cycle people are talking about," Ross said.
The last events were in 2003 and 2000.
Timing partly depends on bigger sporting events which will compete for sponsorship and viewers, particularly the 2008 Olympics and the 2010 soccer World Cup.
It also depends on whether the Cup stays in Valencia or moves to a new venue where teams would need to build new bases, study new weather patterns and so create new boats and crews.
Alinghi, based in the Alps, cannot defend the America's Cup at home because it must be raced at sea.
Their decision to sail off Valencia has put Spain's third largest city on the map and authorities here are desperate to host the Cup again although the rumour mill suggests Alinghi could move to Dubai or Lisbon if they win.
"Valencia is a fantastic venue and in fact exceeded our expectations. Is it a hot prospect for next time? Absolutely," Ross said, looking out over Valencia's swish new port.
"But (we) have a duty to look at other possibilities," he added, suggesting a final decision could take some months.
Team New Zealand have always said that if they win, the Cup will go straight back to Auckland -- good for their huge fan base but bad for sponsors who are delighted by the America's Cup returning to Europe for the first time since 1851.
"Europe is a market of 800 million people, New Zealand is 4 million and very remote. Naturally the opportunities are more valued here," Ross said.
The 32nd America's Cup has also heralded more expensive challenges with many teams fielding two boats and two crews, paying for them all to live in Valencia with their families for three years during a new series of pre-match regattas.
More inter-Cup racing helps smaller teams get up to speed but Ross said costs could be cut by stopping two-boat campaigns, limiting the number of people per team or capping training and testing time so sailors do not have to move to the host city.
If Alinghi successfully defends the America's Cup, it will have to take those sorts of decisions with the team it chooses as challenger of record, in effect the rival with the most say.
This time, Alinghi worked with BMW Oracle, who Ross said had helped anchor the Cup in a new era. Many Cup insiders expect the Swiss will choose new British challenger Team Origin as their partner next time as the two already have close relations.
"The main thing is to have a common philosophy," Ross said.
"We made big changes this time round. We're looking to build and consolidate on that, not make massive changes."
- REUTERS
