Swiss billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli will not be challenging his opponent, US billionaire Larry Ellison, to a rematch. Meanwhile, his BMW Oracle Racing team lost to New Zealand in the last final of the IACC class.
At the Louis Vuitton Trophy off Dubai, BMW Oracle Racing was beaten 2-0 by Team New Zealand. The Franco-German team All4One had previously been defeated by the Americans in the semi-final. The end of the Louis Vuitton Trophy season also marked the end of the IACC class, which was introduced for the 1992 Cup. 100 boats were built according to the design rule.
However, the sponsor remains in business. The fashion label Louis Vuitton will also host the elimination of the challengers at the 34th defence, the Louis Vuitton Cup.
However, probably the most important team will be missing - Alinghi. The Swiss team lost to the American trimaran with their catamaran "Alinghi V" in February of this year. "After carefully analysing the protocol and based on initiatives taken by Cup defender BMW Oracle, Alinghi is convinced that the current conditions make participation impossible," it said in a press release.
The Swiss team, which helped the America's Cup to a new surge in popularity in Europe with victories in 2003 and 2007, wants to take part in the international Extreme 40 catamaran series and compete in regattas on Lake Geneva instead. At the same time, Alinghi spokesman Patric Latorre emphasised: "Alinghi is still interested in the America's Cup and will keep a very close eye on future developments."
Since the start of the five-month entry period for the 34th America's Cup on 1 November, only the Swedish team Artemis has entered alongside defending champion BMW Oracle Racing from the USA and the leading Italian challenger Mascalzone Latino.
Lars Bolle
Chief Editor Digital
