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ACM President Michel Bonnefous
& Alinghi skipper Brad Butterworth quoted in ACM
response.
The Société Nautique de Genève, Alinghi and America’s
Cup Management are very disappointed that BMW Oracle
Racing, through the Golden Gate Yacht Club, has
followed through with its threat and officially
filed legal proceedings in the New York Courts.
"ACM in good faith has proposed a protocol
intended to advance the sport of America’s Cup sailing",
said Michel Bonnefous. "Far from being an attempt
to control everything, the new protocol has been
written to make the 33rd America’s Cup even better:
a new class of boat which brings the technology
to state-of-the-art, exciting racing and an even
higher profile and more professional event which
befits the premier competition in sailing."
"Our vision is to make the America’s Cup in
2009 comparable with the best sporting events in
the World", he added. "This vision is
shared by many Challengers from around the world,
four of whom have now formally entered the competition,
with others about to do so".
"Larry Ellison is holding the Cup to ransom
for competitive gain by attempting to disrupt the
preparations of the teams from Switzerland, Spain,
South Africa, Great Britain and New Zealand, as
well as many others who have notified of their intention
to enter the competition shortly."
"Ellison lost on the water in 2003 and in 2007,
failing to secure a match for the America’s Cup",
said Brad Butterworth, Skipper, Alinghi, "He
is now pretending to be the good guy, representing
the interests of all stakeholders, whereas in reality
they have gone to court to force an earlier private
match on their terms without the involvement of
other competitors."
"While their legal teams are busy destabilising
the 33rd Cup and the preparations of the existing
challengers, they are simultaneously snapping up
sailors left, right and centre. These underhand
tactics make it particularly hard for the smaller
teams who rely on sponsorship, which is very hard
to secure under these circumstances, and shows disregard
for all the legitimate competitors".
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