9:52 AM Sat 2 Jan 2010 GMT
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'Societe Nautique De Geneve
has invited the Challenger to another meeting to resolve outstanding issues, five weeks before the event.'
Carlo Borlenghi/ Alinghi ©
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The America's Cup Defender, Soci?t? Nautique de Gen?ve, sent a letter to Golden Gate Yacht Club representatives on 31 December 2009, inviting the American Challenger to a meeting with David Tillett, the Chairman of the 33rd America's Cup International Jury, to discuss various topics raised by both teams.
SNG say in a statement that they anticipate all issues to be resolved through discussion and expects the best-of-three 33rd America's Cup Match to take place without delay, starting on 8 February in Valencia, Spain.
The full text of the letter is as follows:
I refer to our letter dated 27th December 2009, a brief email message I have received
in response from your representative Mr. Ehman, your press release dated 28th
December 2009 and your letter of 29th December 2009 welcoming our offer of a
meeting to discuss the concerns you have raised. I am pleased you have accepted
our offer of a meeting, and I hope we can continue the recent good progress we have
both made in Sydney.
Given the success of the Sydney meeting, I propose the meeting is again held before
the America's Cup International Jury Chairman Mr. David Tillett. We have spoken to
Mr. Tillett and he can be available for a meeting. He will respond directly to both
competitors to confirm a date and place for the meeting.
You have raised concerns regarding possible sails and other unspecified equipment
that might be used on a yacht or vessel that SNG may select to defend the America's
Cup just prior to the commencement of the first scheduled race of the Match, on 8th
February 2010.
As expressed in our previous letter, SNG defending yacht will be
constructed in Switzerland in compliance with the provision in the Deed of Gift and
SNG disagrees with your interpretation of this provision of the deed of gift. SNG
observes the Deed only requires the 'yacht or vessel' to be constructed in the
respective country and does not expressly impose obligations in respect of any of the
separate components onboard the yacht or vessel.
Should your proposed interpretation be followed, SNG would have similar concerns
regarding a number of items of equipment onboard the USA. SNG is also concerned
that USA's rig is not as described in your challenge documents dated 11 July 2007.
It is sensible that our respective related mutual concerns be discussed and
addressed together at the same meeting.
Once we have confirmation of the date and place, we will advise our representatives
that will attend the meeting.
Yours sincerely,
The letter is signed by Fred Meyer and Alec Tournier of SNG.
Sail-World is not aware of the 'recent good progress we have both made in Sydney.'
A meeting was held in December with multiple representatives from both sides. While the discussion was believed to cordial and positive, and this followed into a later meeting in Valencia. However that progress did not materialise into the proclaimed best of seven series, with a later start date (12 February 2010) to span two weekends, with the City of Valencia picking up the onshore organisation.
Instead there series remains a best of three regatta as ordered by the New York Supreme Court, starting on 8 February 2010. While it is believed that those dates were not be altered on the basis of legal advice, the lack of any announced or advised arrangements for media and on-shore organisation just five weeks before what is supposed to be the premier regatta in sailing, has significantly compromised coverage of the event.
The issue of 'Constructed in Country' referred to in the SNG letter, is a significant one and needs to be resolved using the Mutual Consent provisions of the 19th century Deed of Gift, rather by an arbitrary ruling from the Int Jury or the New York Supreme Court.
The event, if it runs to three races will overlap with the 2010 Winter Olympics, whose first events and Opening Ceremony get underway in Vancouver, Canada, on 12 February 2010 and run to 28 February 2010.
Sailing instructions for the regattas were due to be published in six days time on 8 January 2010.
by Richard Gladwell
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