Alinghi wants America's Cup to stay in Gulf

America's Cup champion Alinghi is still intent on defending its title in the Persian Gulf.

The Swiss-based syndicate said today (NZ time) it will appeal last week's ruling rejecting United Arab Emirates as the site for the race against the American team BMW Oracle. Alinghi wants a speedy decision to avoid a delay in the best-of-three series between the rivals in February.

The New York Supreme Court said the Cup's 19th-century rules mean racing can't be held in the Northern Hemisphere before May. The California-based BMW Oracle had appealed, saying the port of Ras al-Khaimah was too close to Iran and posed a security threat.

Alinghi referred to the "plain language" of the May 2008 ruling from the same court that said its home yacht club, Societe Nautique de Geneve, can choose the venue.

Alinghi contends the weather in February in the UAE is suitable for sailing's signature event. If the UAE is ruled unsuitable, then the Spanish port of Valencia appears the most likely venue.

Neither syndicate objected to Valencia earlier in the prolonged court battle over where, when and how to compete for the oldest trophy in sports. Valencia hosted the 32nd America's Cup in 2007, when Alinghi defeated Team New Zealand to retain the title.

Almost immediately, this edition of the Cup became entrenched in legal arguments between billionaires Ernesto Bertarelli of Alinghi and Larry Ellison of BMW Oracle.

The two sides have spent more than two years arguing while building 90-foot multihull boats for racing. The Alinghi 5 catamaran is undergoing sea trials in the Middle East. BMW Oracle Racing's trimaran has been tested off the Pacific coast of the United States.

- AP