America's Cup quits the Gulf
Court rules racing at Ras Al Khaimah not legalThe plans by Swiss syndicate Alinghi, which holds the America's Cup, to have the 33rd defence regatta in the Persian Gulf in February were shattered by the New York Supreme Court on Tuesday.
The court ruled that under the Cup's Deed of Gift any regatta held in February must be in the southern hemisphere or in Valencia, Spain. The decision was welcomed by the Golden Gate Yacht Club whose BMW Oracle syndicate opposed Ras Al Khaimah as a venue.
Alinghi, run by Swiss billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli, built its lightweight catamaran expressly for the very light winds found in the Persian Gulf waters.
Structural experts have expressed doubts over the safety of sailing the catamaran in the conditions found off Valencia in the northern winter.
A move to the southern hemisphere is possible -- if Alinghi can find somewhere south of the Equator where the summer winds blow at less than eight knots.
Venues such as Australia, New Zealand and South Africa would be out of the question.
The challenging syndicate's giant trimaran is thought to be more robust than Alinghi's catamaran and could be sailed off Valencia in February.
Alinghi can still appeal the NY Supreme Court decision but legal experts say that as Israeli passport holders or those with Israeli stamps in their passport cannot enter the Gulf states, the appeals court is unlikely to overturn the decision.
The BMW Oracle syndicate backer, US billionaire Larry Ellison, has Jewish heritage.
Image: plans for Ras Al Khaimah venue - 33rd.americascup.com
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