The America's Cup has never been as controversial as it is today. Never before has it divided fans and observers so much. The only thing everyone can agree on is one frightening realisation: nobody wanted it to be like this.
This America's Cup can no longer be a crowd-pleaser. Embedded in a series of court hearings, held at the wrong time in the winter off Valencia and bitterly contested, this 33rd edition lacks the sporting value and fascination of an international competition with teams from many countries. The monstrous high-tech multihulls of defender Alinghi and challenger BMW Oracle Racing are certainly providing new superlatives in the 159-year history of the Cup. But strife and anger have robbed the old silver jug of its magic.
"Obscene event, waste of time, insult to the sport of sailing." Bruno Troublé has nothing but contempt for the current duel for the world's most coveted sailing trophy. The former skipper of the legendary Baron Bich, who added a new dimension to the Americas Cup in the 1970s by opening it up to several challengers from many countries, can hardly believe what has become of "his" Cup. Troublé had left his mark on the new America's Cup for over three decades as the front man of the luxury brand Louis Vuitton with esprit and commitment. But in 2007, the familiar world that Troublé himself had helped to build collapsed. Two and a half years ago, not only did Louis Vuitton pull out as his main sponsor. The endless struggle between the Swiss and the Americans to find the right course for the future also began.
In the meantime, the dispute between Alinghi and BMW Oracle Racing has long since got out of hand. A century and a half after its premiere, the America's Cup is no longer characterised by sport and excitement, but by bitter disputes and difficult conditions. Because the opponents were unable to agree on a format, the outdated rules of the Cup's foundation charter from 1887 apply, although several passages of the so-called "Deed of Gift" are very general and allow for conflicting interpretations. Inspired by this and by their own ideas for the future of the Cup, the Americans took their wave of lawsuits against the Swiss to the competent New York court.
The judgements handed down in New York so far are individual pieces of a puzzle that form a cup with many flaws, from which everyone suffers. Even the plaintiffs from America. Although they have been proved right more often than the Swiss defendants. For example, no professional sports team would ever have thought up the fact that the first day of the sailing duel fell on a Monday morning. The fact that even the shorter of the two old-fashioned courses to be completed covers an area of 644 (!) square kilometres and therefore fair races under largely consistent conditions will hardly be possible would be unthinkable under the direction of modern and neutral sports management. However, the Cup has no such management, even though all parties are said to want it so much. That is why the America's Cup is sick. Diagnosis: inability to adapt to today's world without giving up its own identity.
Now the Cup entourage has landed in wintry Valencia against its will. The same place where a thrilling 32nd America's Cup took place in 2007. A now retired judge named Herman Cahn caused this error with an imprecisely worded judgement in November 2007. "We never wanted to sail off Valencia in February," said defending champion and Alinghi boss Ernesto Bertarelli on several occasions, "we should be skiing at home at this time of year."
The outdated rules of the foundation charter also have a ludicrous effect on the regatta schedule. After the opening race on Monday was cancelled due to a lull, it was not repeated on Tuesday in the best wind conditions, but may only be started on Wednesday. It's just bad luck that, according to the weather experts, it might be calm again by then. Common sense has long since lost its place in the Cup theatre. "It's a good thing there's no TV coverage today," said Bruno Troublé in the busy press centre on Tuesday, "people would kill us if they could see the beautiful sailing conditions here - but unfortunately without sailing."
An American sports journalist wistfully recalls the acclaimed 32nd edition of the Cup three years ago in the same region with eleven teams from ten countries: "The summer of love modelled on the sixties - that was once upon a time." In fact, it's ice age in Valencia. The two rival teams have set up shop as far away from each other as possible in the less lively Cup harbour. Their protagonists refuse to make public appearances together, and not a day goes by without verbal attacks on the opposition. The frustration runs deep in both camps.
The abandoned headquarters of former Cup teams, which were excluded from the action for this cycle due to a lack of agreement between defender and challenger, have the air of sad memorials. Fans, journalists and even sailors are struggling with the Cup's imbalance. The two different imposing racing machines of the rivals, Alinghi's catamaran and BMW Oracle's trimaran, may make high-tech hearts beat faster, but they will hardly make for an exciting sporting duel. "One team will win 2:0 here," says Jochen Schümann in Valencia. As a precaution, the two-time America's Cup winner, who is keeping his fingers crossed for his former employer Alinghi, left it open as to which team that will be.
It could be weeks before the duel on the water is decided. According to the foundation charter, the winner will be the first to record two victories. But even with a final sporting result in hand, it will be a winner without certainty. This is because the Americans still have a lawsuit pending in New York, which will not be heard until 25 February. So far, only Ernesto Bertarelli has publicly declared that he accepts the purely sporting result. This results in the following scenario: If Alinghi loses, the Cup leaves Switzerland. If Alinghi wins, there will probably be further court battles. Months or even years. Bertarelli insiders even believe it is possible that the 44-year-old Genevan will resign as defence lawyer if the legal dispute continues, even if he wins, because he can no longer bear the legal spectacle. Team BMW Oracle Racing, on the other hand, is not yet ready to decide what will happen after the match. For the time being, it remains completely open as to who can, wants to or is allowed to steer the Cup back on course when and how. To be continued.
The next start attempt is planned for Wednesday morning. According to weather experts, the chances of actually finishing the race are a maximum of 30 per cent.
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
