Alinghi responds to BMW Oracle Racing's refusal

by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World on 9 Dec 2008
Alinghi responds to BMW Oracle Racing's refusal to enter 'Alinghi's Cup'.

Their response, issued by Paco Latorre, Communications Director for Alinghi/ACM is as follows:

'Today's announcement by BMW Oracle and GGYC is not a surprise because they have never shown any interest in joining the competition with the 14 teams which are currently officially entered.

Instead, at every turn, they have chosen to insist on pursuing their selfish legal strategy.

Their latest letter shows a tremendous arrogance and lack of respect for the teams involved in the process of working with SNG and Alinghi to organise the 33rd America's Cup.

Despite never making it to the final rounds of the competition, BMW Oracle disregards the importance and competence of Team Origin, a British team representing the country that first created the competition in 1851; Team New Zealand, a two time winner of the America's Cup; Desafío Español, whose country hosted the successful 32nd America's Cup in Valencia; plus a winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup and a dozen other teams from around the world.

While it's disappointing that BMW Oracle has chosen to proceed with the legal route instead of joining the collective process, SNG and Alinghi are committed to working with all these entered teams to organize a multi-challenge event while waiting for the final ruling from the Court of Appeals.'