Fisher's View: America's Cup - Way To Go

6:26 PM Mon 6 Apr 2009 GMT

'Bob Fisher' Daniel Forster

Top yachting journalist and author, Bob Fisher gives his view in the next moves in the America's Cup:

Recriminations offer solace only to those who make them. Progress is made by those with vision.

The clouds of war are rolling away, or at least there is a break in the sky, so that the America's Cup problems should shortly be resolved.

Both Ernesto Bertarelli and Larry Ellison have publicly stated that their primary wish is for a multi-challenger event as soon as possible. To facilitate that would require compromise on both sides and that, it would seem, could be the sticking point.

Ellison has built, and trialled, a 90-foot trimaran (as per his Deed of Gift challenge) at a reputed cost of $20million. It would be a grand gesture to put it away without a race, but if his primary wish is to materialise, it is a sacrifice he will have to make.

Bertarelli is reported to have a Deed of Gift defender in kit-form in a boatyard in Switzerland, allegedly a 115-foot yawl rigged catamaran. For him too it would be an expensive, but further cost-saving, gesture to shelve this boat. It would, however, clear the way for a sensible outcome.

One other factor stands in the way. A new protocol has to be agreed. The one previously prepared for the 33rd AC is totally redundant as it was made in mutual agreement with CNEV and now the Challenger of Record is the Golden Gate YC. Everything depends on whether or not Ellison and Bertarelli can agree on a suitable set of rules.

For this, Bertarelli and Ellison should meet on a one-on-one basis; just the two of them. No interference from the sailors; no further point scoring; just sound, solid negotiation for the benefit of themselves and the entire America's Cup community. Only they can undo the damage that has been wrought.

Larry Ellison and Ernesto Bertarelli, the future of the AC is in your hands. Please do not miss the opportunity.

by Bob Fisher

Newsfeed supplied by

#News #Sailing

Fisher's View: America's Cup - Way To Go

Sports/News

Weather Forecasts & Live Reports

Buy & Sell/Classifieds