America's Cup in suspense as parties meet over weekend

7:39 PM Fri 6 Nov 2009 GMT

'Valencia in winter - the default venue for the 33rd America’s Cup' MCC McCamp Click Here to view large photo

Both the warring parties will hold meetings over the weekend to discuss venues for the 33rd America's Cup and try to reach an agreement.

After another Hearing in the New York Supreme Court this morning, Justice Shirley Kornreich called the two principals for the Societe Nautique de Geneve and Golden Gate Yacht Club, who were present in the Court, into her Chambers for a five minute discussion, after which it was agreed that they would meet and try to reach a mutually agreeable conclusion to the stalemated issue of a venue for the Match prescribed to take place in early February 2010.

If they fail to reach an agreement between themselves, then Justice Kornreich will make a ruling on the matter from the bench on Monday, in another Hearing in New York.

It would seem that if there is no agreement then the regatta will take place in Valencia.

Southport Yacht Club on the Gold Coast would seem to be the preferred option amongst America’s Cup pundits - Southport Yacht Club &copy

Over the weekend the Expert Jurists panel, assembled to advise the Court, of Graham Mckenzie, Bryan Willis and David Tillett will meet and consider the submissions from the Challenger and Defender on the matters of Load Waterline Length measurement, safety of Valencia as a venue (now believed to be agreed as being safe), and matters of process regarding race and event management.

The Expert Jurists panel will also hold a formal hearing taking evidence from both parties, in the usual way, before producing a written report advising Justice Kornreich of their views.

Having received that document, and heard back from the Challenger and Defender as to the outcome of their discussions, she will then make a determination on the venue - which will be to accept their agreement, or rule for Valencia.

After the meeting in New York, both parties issued short, very conciliatory media statements, quite unlike the usual vitriolic comment that have been the hallmark of releases following such Hearings.

For Golden Gate Yacht Club:

'Today's hearing at the New York Supreme Court was productive. Both sides - Golden Gate Yacht Club and the America's Cup defender Soci?t? Nautique de Geneve - have agreed to meet on the venue and timing issues over the weekend and report back to Justice Kornreich on Monday. We are hopeful an agreement can be reached.'

And for Soci?t? Nautique de Gen?ve:

'Today's hearing before Justice Kornreich was productive. Our yacht club, the Soci?t? Nautique de Gen?ve, the America's Cup Defender and the Golden Gate Yacht Club, the challenger, have agreed to meet in New York over the weekend to discuss the venue for the 33rd America's Cup. We are due to report back to Justice Kornreich on Monday and are hopeful an agreement can be reached.'

Australia would still seem to be under consideration as a venue, with several pundits preferring the Southport in Queensland as the venue. It was used as a training base for One Australia and would offer pre race training in the warm Australian summer, as opposed to the cold of the Valencian winter.

For most sailors this would be a no-brainer decision, but this is the America's Cup, and anything can happen.

by Richard Gladwell