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Following the press release issued
by Team NZ, Alinghi has prepared the following insights
into the issues raised.
“…Alinghi wants to crush competition…”
Dalton appears to have a selective memory. Facts
show that Alinghi and ACM have supported other teams
over the course of the 32nd America’s Cup, especially
ETNZ:
| 1. |
In 2004, Ernesto Bertarelli allowed
ETNZ to launch their challenge by granting them
a multi million euro loan. Without this cash
injection, it is likely that ETNZ would not
be in the form they are today and able to complain
about the so-called Alinghi lack of sporting
spirit. |
| 2. |
When ETNZ’s boat was damaged in
the Marseille Act in September 2004, ACM helped
them financially to fly a second boat from New
Zealand so that they could race in the following
Act in Valencia in October 2004, which resulted
in them winning the 2004 season. |
| 3. |
ACM worked with ETNZ to secure
the sponsorship of Estrella Damm. |
| 4. |
The model developed by ACM for
the 32AC made possible a profitable event that
ended for the first time ever with millions
of euro’s being distributed to all teams, including
9 million euro’s for ETNZ. |
The facts prove that crushing
competition has never been one of Alinghi’s objectives.
“…we would rather be racing…”
If ETNZ wanted to go racing, why spend a fortune
on a legal case instead of investing the funds in
the team to improve its performance on the water?
What is the real intention of whoever is funding
the lawsuit, who wishes to remain anonymous - other
than to hurt the Defender and therefore the competition?
“…SNG has committed breaches of its fiduciary
duties…”
Justice Cahn stated clearly on November 27, 2007
that Société Nautique de Genève (SNG) did not breach
any of its fiduciary duties.
“…a series of actions by Alinghi have made it
more likely that boats will not be in the water
again until 2011…”
This is incorrect. The delay is purely a consequence
of the disruption caused by the GGYC law suit filed
with the New York Supreme Court. Being in Court
leads to an uncertain timeline, which does not fit
with the need for certainty with the racing calendar,
forcing ACM to postpone the event.
There was no reason for ACM to postpone other than
the lawsuit. The reported lack of funding is a false
argument as the Event Fee received from the Authorities
of the Host City would have been a perfect base
to organise a financially viable event.
“…Alinghi had the opportunity to accept a reasonable
proposal from BOR…”
Alinghi could not consider as reasonable and minor
the final changes proposed by BMW Oracle Racing
(BOR) in relation to the racing schedule and the
two boats training. Their request heavily contradicted
the model of cost containment that Ernesto Bertarelli/Alinghi
were proposing and that had been agreed by all the
entered teams, including ETNZ.
Additionally, the competition format proposed by
BOR would have left the Defender without two boat
testing and without real competition before the
Match, so in a very weak position. During the process
BOR constantly changed the goal posts and added
new requests to their demands hence the refusal
to negotiate further.
“…Alinghi wanted to impose one-sided rules…”
From September to November 2007, ETNZ took an active
part in all eight of the consultation meetings and
signed off all the rules and regulations which came
out of the consultation..
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