Coutts warns Alinghi to play by rules
Source: Agencies |
January 19, 2010, Tuesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
FORMER Alinghi skipper Russell Coutts has warned the America's Cup holders to "play by the rules" as the war of words between the Swiss team and bitter rival BMW Oracle intensified on Sunday.
Both teams have blamed each other for the break-up of talks in Singapore last week aimed at ending their long-running dispute before their head-to-head showdown for the 33rd America's Cup in Valencia on February 8. BMW demanded Alinghi apologize and retract comments accusing the Americans of withdrawing from an offer to settle.
In a letter published on Alinghi's Website, the Societe Nautique de Geneve (SNG), under the colors of which Alinghi sail, accused their rivals of "bad faith conduct".
SNG said the Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC), under whose colors BMW sails, had filed a "factually and legally baseless motion with the New York Supreme Court".
But BMW Oracle Racing chief executive Coutts said it was the Cup holders who pulled out of an agreement. "It should have ended in Singapore. An agreement, drafted by Alinghi, was signed by BMW Oracle Racing and the International Sailing Federation, acting as witness, but Alinghi did not sign it," New Zealander Coutts said.
BMW Oracle has asked the New York Supreme Court to rule on the validity of Alinghi's sails on its giant catamaran, believing it contravenes nationality rules under the Deed of Gift document which governs the event.
"All we are asking (Alinghi president) Ernesto Bertarelli and Alinghi to do is play by the rules. It is as simple as that. Constructed in country is one of the fundamental rules of the America's Cup," said Coutts.
"Bertarelli has said that 'Should the American justice system outlaw their (the sails) use, it would be like asking Roger Federer to defend his title without using his tennis racket.' To that I would say they do not allow players to play with illegal tennis rackets at Wimbledon."
Both teams have blamed each other for the break-up of talks in Singapore last week aimed at ending their long-running dispute before their head-to-head showdown for the 33rd America's Cup in Valencia on February 8. BMW demanded Alinghi apologize and retract comments accusing the Americans of withdrawing from an offer to settle.
In a letter published on Alinghi's Website, the Societe Nautique de Geneve (SNG), under the colors of which Alinghi sail, accused their rivals of "bad faith conduct".
SNG said the Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC), under whose colors BMW sails, had filed a "factually and legally baseless motion with the New York Supreme Court".
But BMW Oracle Racing chief executive Coutts said it was the Cup holders who pulled out of an agreement. "It should have ended in Singapore. An agreement, drafted by Alinghi, was signed by BMW Oracle Racing and the International Sailing Federation, acting as witness, but Alinghi did not sign it," New Zealander Coutts said.
BMW Oracle has asked the New York Supreme Court to rule on the validity of Alinghi's sails on its giant catamaran, believing it contravenes nationality rules under the Deed of Gift document which governs the event.
"All we are asking (Alinghi president) Ernesto Bertarelli and Alinghi to do is play by the rules. It is as simple as that. Constructed in country is one of the fundamental rules of the America's Cup," said Coutts.
"Bertarelli has said that 'Should the American justice system outlaw their (the sails) use, it would be like asking Roger Federer to defend his title without using his tennis racket.' To that I would say they do not allow players to play with illegal tennis rackets at Wimbledon."
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