America’s Cup holder Alinghi to appeal to keep Middle East port for race against BMW Oracle

August 5th, 2009 Swiss pick UAE's Ras al-Khaimah for America's CupDefending America's Cup champion Alinghi of Switzerland has chosen the Persian Gulf port of Ras al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, for its best-of-3 showdown against bitter American rival BMW Oracle Racing. In a news release obtained by The Associated Press, Alinghi officials said they chose the little-known city-state for its "perfect weather and great sailing conditions." The Swiss planned a formal announcement later Wednesday morning.

April 30th, 2009 Alinghi launches 35-foot cats for Cup trainingAmerica's Cup champion Alinghi of Switzerland has launched two 35-foot catamarans on Lake Geneva and will begin training for its showdown with American challenger BMW Oracle Racing next year. American Ed Baird will helm one of the catamarans while Alinghi boss Ernesto Bertarelli, a biotech tycoon with extensive experience sailing multihulls, will steer the other.

April 29th, 2009 Alinghi prepared to defend position in NY court MADRID — Alinghi is prepared to defend its position in a New York court in the legal battle over the next edition of the America's Cup. Societe Nautique de Geneve, the home yacht club to Alinghi, said Wednesday it will go to the New York State Supreme Court on May 14 after being summoned Tuesday to explain why it should not be held in contempt for refusing a one-on-one showdown against American crew BMW Oracle Racing in February.

May 8th, 2009 Alinghi laments Oracle snubbing talks to end spat GENEVA — America's Cup winner Alinghi said Thursday it "regrets" that challenger Oracle has rejected its offer to resume talks aimed at resolving a dispute over the next race. Alinghi's home club, Societe Nautique de Geneve, said it sent a letter to Golden Gate Yacht Club, which backs BMW Oracle Racing, inviting it to discuss the date, venue, race format and participation of other teams in the next race.

July 21st, 2009 Judge to consider rules in America's Cup caseNEW YORK — A judge has declined to hold America's Cup champion Alinghi of Switzerland in contempt of court and will consider rules clarifications sought by American challenger BMW Oracle Racing. Justice Shirley Kornreich of the Supreme Court of the State of New York is expected to rule in 10 to 14 days.

July 4th, 2009 Swiss unveil giant catamaran for Cup defenseAlinghi of Switzerland has confirmed it will use a giant catamaran when it defends the America's Cup against bitter U.S. rival BMW Oracle Racing early next year.

October 13th, 2009 RAK official files brief in America's Cup spatAn adviser to the sheik of Ras al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, filed a brief in a New York court Tuesday countering claims by U.S. challenger BMW Oracle Racing that the Persian Gulf port is not a safe venue for the America's Cup because of its proximity to Iran.

May 12th, 2009 Alinghi reveals America's Cup spying caseAmerica's Cup champion Alinghi has released a French police document in which an employee of rival BMW Oracle Racing admits gathering information about the boat the Swiss are secretly building for a rare head-to-head showdown. Alinghi says French and Swiss police continue to investigate the actions of Jean Antoine Bonnaveau, who identifies himself as a member of BMW Oracle Racing's design team.

October 2nd, 2009 America's Cup challenger opposes venue choiceSAN DIEGO — Citing "grave safety concerns" for its U.S.-based crew, challenger BMW Oracle Racing is asking a New York court to reject Ras al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, as the venue for the 33rd America's Cup and replace it with Valencia, Spain. BMW Oracle Racing said in a statement late Thursday night that defending champion Alinghi of Switzerland cannot select a Northern Hemisphere port without mutual consent of BMW Oracle Racing.

May 4th, 2009 America's Cup champ seek challenger's boat details America's Cup champion Alinghi of Switzerland is asking a New York court to disqualify American syndicate BMW Oracle Racing as Challenger of Record if it doesn't provide details about its 90-foot trimaran within 30 days. San Francisco's Golden Gate Yacht Club, which backs BMW Oracle Racing, has been ordered to tell the Supreme Court of the State of New York at a hearing on May 14 why it hasn't provided Alinghi with a Custom House registry.

April 28th, 2009 America's Cup fight heading back to courtAmerica's Cup champion Alinghi of Switzerland is being ordered to tell a New York court why it should not be held in contempt for refusing to comply with an order that its one-on-one showdown against American crew BMW Oracle Racing be held in February. The Supreme Court of the State of New York, acting on a request by San Francisco's Golden Gate Yacht Club, scheduled a hearing for May 14.

May 14th, 2009 Court orders America's Cup showdown in February NEW YORK — A New York judge on Thursday ordered America's Cup champion Alinghi of Switzerland to face American challenger BMW Oracle Racing in a rare one-on-one showdown in February. Justice Shirley Werner Kornreich of the Supreme Court of the State of New York also ruled that BMW Oracle Racing needed to promptly submit a measurement certificate for its 90-foot trimaran.

August 11th, 2009 Ellison questions safety of America's Cup venueSAN DIEGO — Software tycoon and sailor Larry Ellison on Tuesday questioned the safety of a Persian Gulf port picked as the site for the America's Cup showdown between his American-based crew and defending champion Alinghi of Switzerland. Ellison, the Oracle Corp.

July 15th, 2009 America's Cup rivals headed back to courtBitter America's Cup rivals BMW Oracle Racing of San Francisco and Alinghi of Switzerland are heading back to a New York court in a fight over rules for their showdown next year in giant multihulls. BMW Oracle Racing spokesman Tom Ehman says the defending champion Swiss are "playing fast and loose with the rules," including the use of an engine to trim sails and possibly move ballast on their 90-foot catamaran, which was launched last week on Lake Geneva.

September 22nd, 2009 America's Cup challenger wins measurement rulingA New York judge has denied a motion by America's Cup champion Alinghi of Switzerland to disqualify challenger BMW Oracle Racing because the U.S.-based syndicate hasn't provided a measurement certificate for its 90-foot trimaran. Justice Shirley Kornreich of the Supreme Court of the State of New York said BMW Oracle Racing, owned by software tycoon Larry Ellison of Oracle Corp., must provide Alinghi with the final documentation at least two weeks before Feb.