Alinghi accuses BMW Oracle of breaking rules
Alinghi president Ernesto Bertarelli accused BMW Oracle of using a French boat amid continued bickering over their upcoming America's Cup matchup, while the Americans say the Alinghi team is "hell-bent" on changing the rules to favor its boat.
Bertarelli, the Swiss team's billionaire owner, said Wednesday that his syndicate was ready to sail the best-of-three series set for Feb. 8. Bertarelli said his yacht club was hoping to avoid any more legal fights, but then sent a shot across BMW Oracle's bow.
"I am in it for the sailing -- I am not in it for the legal fight," Bertarelli said. "Now we are on BMW Oracle's ninth lawsuit ... our boat is Deed (of Gift) compliant, but if BMW Oracle continues to contest our sails, they should consider their own issues, beginning with the fact that 'USA' is a French boat."
The Americans have taken the Swiss to a New York court over its sails, which it contends were made in the United States, which they say violates the rules that stipulate each boat must be built in the team's country of origin.
BMW Oracle has asked the America's Cup jury to "negotiate or revise" the rules, which it contends are "riddled with errors" and "heavily biased" and claims the Swiss team is "hell-bent on making the America's Cup the Alinghi Cup."
Alinghi countered that BMW Oracle is more interested in facing them in court than on the water.
"(BMW Oracle president Larry) Ellison and his team's strategy is to try and gain as much advantage as they can through the New York courts and they have done this quite well so far," Bertarelli said. "What matters is who wins on the 8, 10, 12 February."
The two sides have been haggling over details in court since Alinghi won the 32nd edition in July 2007.
Even though negotiations between the teams over the race rules broke down last week, Bertarelli was confident that racing between the multihulls would go ahead.
"We are ready, we are sailing, the team is in place and the excitement is apparent," said Bertarelli, whose team was unable to sail on Wednesday due to strong wind. "Let's try to get away from the past two years of troubles and discussions and let's see who has the fastest boat.
Alinghi president Ernesto Bertarelli accused BMW Oracle of using a French boat amid continued bickering over their upcoming America's Cup matchup, while the Americans say the Alinghi team is "hell-bent" on changing the rules to favor its boat.
Bertarelli, the Swiss team's billionaire owner, said Wednesday that his syndicate was ready to sail the best-of-three series set for Feb. 8. Bertarelli said his yacht club was hoping to avoid any more legal fights, but then sent a shot across BMW Oracle's bow.
"I am in it for the sailing -- I am not in it for the legal fight," Bertarelli said. "Now we are on BMW Oracle's ninth lawsuit ... our boat is Deed (of Gift) compliant, but if BMW Oracle continues to contest our sails, they should consider their own issues, beginning with the fact that 'USA' is a French boat."
The Americans have taken the Swiss to a New York court over its sails, which it contends were made in the United States, which they say violates the rules that stipulate each boat must be built in the team's country of origin.
BMW Oracle has asked the America's Cup jury to "negotiate or revise" the rules, which it contends are "riddled with errors" and "heavily biased" and claims the Swiss team is "hell-bent on making the America's Cup the Alinghi Cup."
Alinghi countered that BMW Oracle is more interested in facing them in court than on the water.
"(BMW Oracle president Larry) Ellison and his team's strategy is to try and gain as much advantage as they can through the New York courts and they have done this quite well so far," Bertarelli said. "What matters is who wins on the 8, 10, 12 February."
The two sides have been haggling over details in court since Alinghi won the 32nd edition in July 2007.
Even though negotiations between the teams over the race rules broke down last week, Bertarelli was confident that racing between the multihulls would go ahead.
"We are ready, we are sailing, the team is in place and the excitement is apparent," said Bertarelli, whose team was unable to sail on Wednesday due to strong wind. "Let's try to get away from the past two years of troubles and discussions and let's see who has the fastest boat.