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Spanish throw a spanner in the works
06 Nov 2007
The carefully worded statement said: 'The American team has told challengers it is ready to agree to wide-ranging new compromise proposals on remaining protocol issues as covered in meetings last week once it can confirm for itself that the design rule developed by Alinghi is fair for all competitors.'
So with the way forward now clear, are things getting better for America's Cup lovers? Unfortunately, no.
Magnus Wheatley, in his rule69blog, says the 'squirming, uncomfortable Spanish Sailing Federation who, having been the laughing stock of the entire world (apart from a certain Swiss quarter), are now desperately trying to distance themselves from the whole Cup shenanigans'.
It's a classic, 'it's not our fault' response, he says, as they face down mounting pressure about the complete farce of the Challenger of Record..
Manuel Chirivella, acting vice-president of the Spanish Sailing Federation has finally admitted what everyone knew: 'The CNEV is not a sailing club, it is a legal adjustment' that was made to introduce the Spanish challenge.
'We did so because we were told to by the Valencian authorities,' he says, compounding the problem.
And, as Wheatley says; it gets worse.
The president of Spanish Sailing Federation, Gerardo Pombo, has apparently told the world that Alinghi has been given €105m to secure the America's Cup in Valencia. He also says if the Bertarelli camp loses the BMW Oracle court case, there will be an appeal.
So the chances of seeing an America's Cup contest anytime in the next decade is rapidly disappearing. Check out http://www.rule69blog.com
