Oracle (USA) and Alinghi (Switzerland). Photo / Getty Images
America's Cup organisers (ACM) have demanded US team BMW Oracle withdraw a lawsuit that is holding up plans to stage the 2009 yachting event in Valencia.
BMW Oracle has taken holders Alinghi to court in New York, arguing that the Swiss defenders chose an illegitimate yacht club to
be the lead challengers for the next America's Cup.
Justice Herman Cahn heard the case last month and the teams expected him to rule in a few weeks.
If he decides in BMW Oracle's favour, Alinghi could have to race the US syndicate one-on-one in catamarans next summer, forcing other teams to wait to challenge the winner.
ACM said Alinghi's home club SNG had demanded BMW Oracle's club GGYC withdraw its lawsuit by November 16 and "clarify its position with regard to its participation in the 33rd America's Cup".
Any teams wanting to race Alinghi in the 2009 America's Cup must lodge their challenge by December 15, organiser ACM said today.
BMW Oracle said they would respond to the statement later.
Alinghi have said BMW Oracle will be welcomed to the field of challengers for the next Cup as long as they drop the case.
Teams and ACM have said the lawsuit is creating uncertainty that makes it hard for them to sign up sponsors for an event which last time ran at over US$60 million ($81 million) for most teams.
So far five syndicates have signed up to challenge Alinghi for sailing's most prestigious prize - Spain's Desafio Espanol, Team New Zealand, Britain's Team Origin, South African Shosholoza and United internet Team Germany.
All teams are due to hold warmup races next year with the knockout rounds for the America's Cup scheduled to start in May, 2009. The Cup match is due to start on July 18, 2009.
- REUTERS
