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According to Valencia Sailing,
there has been a breaking news concerning a major
development to take place today that might signal
the end of the long battle that is putting a break
on the America's Cup.
According to "very reliable information" the Spanish
Website has received, there is a designer meeting
to take place later this afternoon in Valencia where
Alinghi will let the other 5 challengers (Desafío
Español, United Internet Team Germany, Shosholoza,
Emirates Team New Zealand and Team Origin) decide
upon a key parameter of the design of the new class.
The meeting is organized by the Challenger of Record,
Desafío Español, and from what it's understood,
BMW Oracle and Mascalzone Latino have also been
invited to attend as simple observers.
Valencia Sailing got in contact with America's Cup
Management (ACM), in order to verify whether Alinghi
has made such a proposal.
First of all, Michel Hodara, CEO of ACM, denied
there was any kind of agreement between them and
BMW Oracle as was speculated lately. On the other
hand, he added, Alinghi has made a concrete offer
to show they haven't advanced in the design of the
new boat and try to lift the last point of resistance
of BMW Oracle.
It will be up to the 5 challengers to decide that
key parameter and BMW Oracle will also have the
right to access to that information.
Valencia Sailing also contacted to Jason Ker, designer
of United Internet Team Germany, in order to know
whether this parameter is important and verify to
what extent Alinghi are willing to give any advantage
(if they have any) away.
According to Ker, this parameter is "fundamental"
for the design of the new boat. If a team is at
an early stage in its design process any modification
in that parameter doesn't make all that difference.
On the other hand, if a team has advanced to the
extent Alinghi was alleged or supposed to have advanced,
then they would have to start all over again.
According to Ker, this shows that Alinghi hasn't
advanced in the design of their new boat and even
if they had they are prepared to give it away.
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