America’s Cup in Valencia, Spain

Defender Alinghi of Switzerland said on Tuesday it is ready to hold the ‘three-leg duel’ with Oracle in Valencia from February 8, the US challenger’s preferred location and favoured date.

Next February, the America’s Cup holder, Alinghi from Switzerland, is likely to now defend the title in the Spanish coastal city port of Valencia. This was announced, following a 2 year legal battle over conditions and the venue of this major sporting event. The 8th February 2010 now looks the most likely favourite date for the challenge.

Oracle, have indicated positively that they pleased to see an agreement that confirms Valencia in February is the best venue solution for the 33rd America's Cup. Both Alinghi and Oracle, owned by Swiss and American billionaires respectively, have been involved in major legal processes since the Swiss syndicate won the last decision in Valencia for 2007.

A number of exchanges followed about who had the right to organise the event next time around, some with accusations of rule-bending or claims of unfair advantage.

A ruling in the New York Supreme Court in April, declared the Cup should be settled by a one-on-one ‘multihull duel’ between both sides in February 2010 rather than with several teams competing in a full regatta, but both organisations remained deadlocked.

Although Alinghi had originally tried to stage the race in Ras al-Khaimah, in the UAE, they finally agreed a Valencia venue after unsuccessful discussions with Oracle over an alternative location. The tiny Gulf state will now no doubt be extremely disappointed with the final outcome, (the news that Oracle challenged that their site was invalid) having received the initial ‘boost’ earlier this year.

It emerged that Oracle were in talks over last weekend in New York at the weekend, where Alinghi proposed 2 alternative suitable venues: Proserpine - Airlie Beach and Townsville in Australia, where suitable weather conditions prevail during February.

Although the SNG has confirmed Valencia the site favourite to host the 33rd America's Cup - February 2010, it is believed the offer to GGYC for the Australian choice of venue on the same day will remain open until 13 November 2009,  provided they GGYC will agree to withdraw the legal action.

In a ruling denying the Ras al-Khaimah bid,  Kornreich indicated that long stading rules which govern the race, the America's Cup cannot be held in the Northern Hemisphere between November 1 and May 1. However, an exception was made to by allow the race venue to be decided in Valencia, Spain.