Alinghi respond to America's Cup Contempt Hearing issues

1:34 AM Wed 15 Jul 2009 GMT

'Societe Nautique De Geneve burgee' Carlo Borlenghi / Alinghi&copy

Soci?t? Nautique de Gen?ve (SNG) statement in reaction to the latest Golden Gate Yacht Club legal action

America's Cup Defender, Soci?t? Nautique de Gen?ve (SNG), statement in reaction to the latest Golden Gate Yacht Club legal action: 'It is again a disappointment that the Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) chooses to pursue its litigious strategy instead of fighting for the America's Cup on the water.

It is now the fourth time the American team goes to court, this time in an attempt to prevent the SNG's legitimate right to use its yacht club rules - as prescribed in the Deed of Gift - and the ISAF rules and regulations to their full extent, as it has been the case in previous editions of the America's Cup and in any international regatta in the world.

While GGYC continues to put pressure on the SNG through the New York courts, SNG continues to wait for the GGYC to provide their yacht's Custom House Registry as soon as possible, as per the Deed of Gift and the New York court decisions.'

Sail-World: Sail-World has spoken with several sources in connection with this matter. None would comment on the record.

It would seem that the 33rd America's Cup will, as with all other sailing events, be sailed under the current version of the ISAF Racing Rules, not the 2005-2008 version sought by BMW Oracle Racing and Golden Gate Yacht Club..

The two areas of specific concern being RRS 51 and 52 relating to Water Ballast and Manual Power.

On the first point it us clear that water tanks are allowed, however the latest rules provide for bilge water only to be bailed out, and that all other water and items are not permitted to be moved to change trim or stability. It would seem that the taking and and jettisoning of water during a race is prohibited. Although a yacht could have significant tankage which could be filled with fresh water before a race, but she must finish the race with substantially the same amount of water aboard (less any consumed by her crew), and in the same position as when she started.

On the second point it is clear that yachts may have their standing and running rigging adjusted using manual power only. Whether sheets attached to sails constitute running rigging may be a moot point.

While both RR 51 and 52 may be changed by the Class Rules, there is not class association in existence for this regatta, and they cannot be changed by the organisers at their whim. It may be that such rules could be changed by mutual consent. The rules and ISAF Regulations do provide for a change mechanism, however this relates to match racing and the ISAF Call Book and Rules 51 and 52 would not normally be part of a call Book, and if they were could only be altered in conjunction with ISAF.

The full list of RRS and the changes between the 2005-2008 and the 2009-2012 editions can be viewed at this link Click Here

by Daphne Morgan Barnicoat

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Alinghi respond to America's Cup Contempt Hearing issues

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