"The 33rd America's Cup began with Alinghi's finish in the seventh and decisive match." So begins the future article in the America's Cup Special. The moment the Swiss crossed the line as winners, representatives of the Spanish club Nautico Espanol de Vela handed over the first challenge for the next Cup.
As the first challenger, the so-called Challenger of Record, organises the next Cup together with the defender, the Spaniards have a strong match position. The special article explains what this could mean for the next Cup.
But nothing is certain yet. The current situation has been more than tricky since the Golden Gate Yacht Club officially questioned the legality of the challenge by the newly founded Spanish club.
For this reason, the Americans have issued an official challenge to the Swiss. And as they assume that the choice of weapons is up to the challenger, they defined a boat with a length and width of 90 feet. In other words, a catamaran.
Alinghi has yet to respond. Only the Spaniards have come forward to refute the accusation that their club could not have organised a regatta on an estuary as it was newly founded. The foundation charter requires the challenger club to fulfil this requirement. However, the Spaniards explained that nowhere is it written that this must have happened in the past. In the meantime, they are planning two such regattas.
It is difficult to predict what will happen over the next few days. According to unconfirmed reports, negotiations between Alinghi and Valencia are in the final stages. Only ten million euros are still at stake.
However, international criticism of Alinghi and the Spanish challenger, who agreed to a protocol that cedes many of the challenger's rights to the Swiss, is also increasing.
What is certain is that the protocol gives Alinghi plenty of room for manoeuvre to gain an advantage. But it remains to be seen whether Ernesto Bertarelli will really utilise these advantages. In any case, it would go against his previous policy of creating a new, open and fair Cup for everyone. He would then be burying his own product.
It is also certain that a lot of damage has already been done. With every day of uncertainty, the glamour of the "new" America's Cup fades a little more.
BMW Oracle is threatening to sue. Then there could be a mismatch like in 1988, when the New Zealanders were beaten by Dennis Conner's small catamaran with a giant yacht and the legality had to be settled by a court.
But that cannot be in the interests of BMW Oracle either. Larry Ellison's actions are probably to be understood as a threatening gesture. That is why Team Germany also shows understanding for the American position. "We are in favour of the Americans' stance because they are putting pressure on us. The existing uncertainty is not helpful for any team," says Team Principal Michael Scheeren to dpa.
