America's Cup: Hope that issues will be sorted in Singapore?

8:05 PM Sat 9 Jan 2010 GMT

Golden Gate Yacht Club

Tom Ehman, Head of External Affairs for BMW Oracle Racing, has issued the following statement on behalf of its club the Golden Gate Yacht Club:

'Golden Gate Yacht Club has received the draft Sailing Instructions and revised Notice of Race Soci?t? Nautique de Geneve.

'Golden Gate Yacht Club is hopeful that the remaining issues will be solved satisfactorily in talks with SNG to be held next Tuesday in Singapore.

'These talks will be in the presence of the Chairman of the International Jury, David Tillett and, International Sailing Federation representative, David Kellett.

'GGYC does not expect to make any further comment until after the Singapore meeting.

'The 33rd Match starts February 8, 2010, in Valencia, Spain'

Issues still believed to be on the table is the requirement inserted into the Notice of Race by SNG for BOR90/USA to moor in the outer Darcena, which BMW Oracle Racing are believed to be disputing on grounds of bring too restrictive for their wingsailed challenger.

There may be issues raised when BOR90/USA is presented for measurement (although the Notice of Race has been modified to correctly state that the measurements 'shall not exceed..'

The vexed issue of Constructed in Country, particularly over the used of sails by the Defender which BMW Oracle Racing claim are made in USA (Alinghi have stated they are made in Switzerland) is expected to be tested before the regatta starts - possibly by another direct approach to the New York Supreme Court rather than via the International Jury, which has now been constituted.

by Golden Gate Yacht Club and Sail-World