SNG and GGYC agree to end 33rd America's Cup legal dispute

by Alinghi Media and Sail-World on 6 Apr 2010
This statement is a week old, but has some interesting comments on the future of Alinghi indicating that they are looking at opportunities outside the America's Cup. Previously Ernesto Bertarelli said that they would not enter the 33rd America's Cup until the details of the event were announced.

The team has been linked with Volvo Ocean Race intentions, including the team from Abu Dhabi will take its place on the start line of the 2011-12 race in Alicante, Spain in the autumn of next year. The UAE state is also also a stop over in the 2011-12 race.

START: A settlement agreement signed by representatives from Société Nautique de Genève (SNG) and Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) was filed today to the New York Supreme Court cancelling all pending litigation for the 33rd America’s Cup. Both clubs have agreed to drop their respective claims and definitively close all legal disputes surrounding the 33rd America’s Cup.

SNG vice-commodore Fred Meyer comments: 'It’s very satisfactory that we can leave behind us all of the legal controversy. It has been long overdue for the America’s Cup to abandon the courts of New York. Now we can look ahead to the future where SNG will continue to support Alinghi if they decide to challenge again. For SNG the ten year adventure in the America’s Cup has been a fascinating period. We must be proud of what our team has achieved with the victories in 2003 and 2007. Being the first European club to conquer the America’s Cup is an impressive feat that will remain for ever. SNG thanks Alinghi for everything that they’ve done for our club.'

What’s next then for Alinghi? Team president Ernesto Bertarelli has not announced any plans as yet but has confirmed that Alinghi will carry on: 'Ten years after the birth of our team, the Alinghi spirit is going to continue, there is no doubt to that. We have not made any decision yet as to what will be our next challenge but we are evaluating a number of different alternatives for our sailing team and even beyond sailing. We will be waiting to hear details for the 34th America’s Cup from the American defender before making any decision, but there is a broad range of exciting possibilities that Alinghi could be involved in.'