For once, the Cup scene is unanimous: there is great surprise everywhere about the ruling of the New York Supreme Court. However, opinions differ widely as to how and when things will continue. Reactions from those affected and observers
Michael Scheeren
Jochen SchümannUITG Sports Director, who is currently racing with German Cup sailors in the Mediterranean on the TP52 "Platoon": "I am very happy for Alinghi, but I fear this was not the last round in the tug-of-war between the giants. We are continuing to work hard to be prepared for all eventualities."
Augustin ZuluetaTeam Principal of the old and new Challenger of Record, Club Nautico Espanol de Vela (CNEV): "We very much hope that this marks the end of this long process and that it will allow all teams to participate in the next America's Cup in Valencia."
Alinghi lawyerLucien Masmejan explains: "Due to the non-unanimous decision, BMW Oracle Racing could appeal. However, such a procedure would take 22 to 24 months. They have an infinite imagination, but we hope that they will now come to their senses. We are back to where we were in July 2007. Many teams were almost destroyed. We ourselves have suffered a lot. Now an America's Cup with many challengers is once again conceivable for 2011."
Radio New Zealand News on the reaction of the New Zealand team managerGrant Dalton: "Dalton says the New York Supreme Court's decision to reinstate a Spanish syndicate as Challenger of Record is another step towards getting the America's Cup back on track. Dalton says although this is not the result Team New Zealand was expecting, he hopes it means a regatta in Valencia next year. It would be close, but not impossible, and it would be the best decision for Team New Zealand and the other challengers."
The Internet industry service"The Daily Sail" headlines: "Just when you thought it couldn't get any worse ... The New York Supreme Court has turned the America's Cup on its head again."
Cory Friedmanlawyer and observer of the proceedings from New York: "It is clear that there is now complete confusion at the Cup. The uncertainty is total. The Challenger of Record, CNEV, has neither a team nor an annual regatta (which is required by the charter for the challenging club, ed.) and is likely to have completely fallen apart.... The sponsors are caught in a perfect economic storm."
From the web portal"Sailing Anarchy""Alinghi, of course, is now happy as a clam, is transferring large sums of money to the best lawyers in the world, BMW-O and Larry Ellison have a beautiful 90-foot catamaran in their barn and the sailing fans of this world continue to waver between passion and complete disinterest in the America's Cup 33 in the face of this self-made judicial crap."
