Alinghi, the Swiss holder of the America’s Cup, has accepted the challenge of US team Oracle to race the 2010 edition of the Cup on large multi-hull yachts. The two sides now look to have solved disagreements over rules which had threatened to overshadow the next race.
Agence France Presse reports that Alinghi captain Brad Butterworth told Oracle representatives during a meeting at Societe Nautique de Geneve, Alinghi's home club in Geneva, that he was ready to race out a duel in keeping with Oracle-owner US billionaire Larry Ellison’s demands on they type of boat used.
Oracle also proposed joint management of the next America’s Cup – it is normally the defenders, in this case Alinghi, which fulfils the role. Oracle is awaiting Alinghi’s response on the proposal.
Oracle had been backed up in the dispute by a New York court which ruled this month that, if no agreement was reached, the two teams must hold a best-of-three duel involving Oracle’s preferred huge multi-hull yachts in Valencia in 2010.
