Two-time America's Cup winner Ernesto Bertarelli is breaking his silence. For a long time, the Swiss has watched from the sidelines the activities of the current Cup organisers, who defeated his team Alinghi in 2010 in an unequal exclusive match enforced by the courts and forced them out of the competition. But now Bertarelli is clearly fed up. In a commentary, he attacks the American Cup defenders. He is not alone in this, as more and more experts are taking a verbal swipe at Larry Ellison's team, which seems to have been bending the most important regatta in international sailing to its whim for some time now.
Bertarelli's original comment can be read on the Facebook page of LX Sailing - here at YACHT online in translation:
"The AC 48 is an interesting boat, but the registration costs for the AC are now higher than those of the boats! It's just a shame that the organisers can't come up with clear and transparent rules. I'm not sure if they intend it that way, but the way they organise it is quite obscure. Today they want to turn it round to smaller boats, tomorrow they might do the opposite.
I am amazed that they have managed to upset Patrizio Bertelli, who has played such an important role in the modern America's Cup. It proves that we were right to withdraw from the America's Cup. Bertelli has spent tens of millions developing a new boat and suddenly they are telling him that he did it all for no reason.
I love the America's Cup. I won it. And it will always be a part of me. So of course I follow the action. But it's disappointing to see what's happening. Just look at the fact that they have decided not to recognise the Isaf rules. That leaves the door wide open for any kind of trouble. That is very disappointing.
There has to be a decent defender and a decent challenger. That is the basis of the America's Cup: two yacht clubs that challenge each other and - together - decide on the rules of the event. Yet in the past two editions, the defender has chosen a challenger who has withdrawn shortly afterwards and left control to the defender alone. So I ask the question: can we still call this the America's Cup if the basic rules of the event are no longer followed?
If I were the defender, I would ask the strongest teams - Emirates Team New Zealand or the Luna Rossa Challenge - to become the Challenger of Record. Today, people like Bruno Troublé say that it has become a beach event that smells of chips. That's his opinion, but when someone like him says something like that, it means there's a problem.
I'm glad I'm not in Patrizio Bertelli's place. I've had my share of setbacks, but the chapter is now closed for me. My story with the America's Cup ended in 2010. It may start again one day. For example, if the Kiwis win the Cup and establish fair rules. But not today!"
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
