In response to the initiation of Contempt of Court proceedings, Société Nautique de Genève, the Defender of the America’s Cup have issued the following statement:
‘BMW Oracle Racing (BOR) and its club Golden Gate (GGYC) have again chosen the New York law courts, instead of accepting an invitation to another meeting to discuss the terms of the 33rd America’s Cup. They have ignored both our proposal to open the competition to other challengers and our invitation to agree to mutual consent terms.
As Defender of the America’s Cup, Alinghi and the Société Nautique de Genève (SNG) are duty bound to fulfill the Deed of Gift that governs the event. The document clearly states that … Details
Although winning would be nice, more important was camaraderie and pure adventure of sail.
Over the radio came: “Three minutes!” and the Maxi class, yachts with a 48-second handicap or higher, in the 62nd Newport to Ensenada Yacht Race began circling in front of Balboa Pier.
After numerous U-turns, the competitors finally aligned and the race began with the blowing of a horn.
With a leaning angle of 45 degrees…Â Details
GOLDEN GATE YACHT CLUB
#1 Yacht Road
San Francisco, California USA 94123
Statement
New York, NY, April 28, 2009 – At Golden Gate Yacht Club’s request, the Supreme Court of the State of New York today issued an order directing the defender, Société Nautique de Genève, to show cause why it should not be held in contempt of court. SNG has refused to comply with the Court’s April 7, 2009 Order and Judgment concerning the dates for the next America’s Cup match.
The court scheduled a hearing for May 14, 2009 at 0930.
In early April the New York State Court of Appeals, in a unanimous 6-0 ruling, held that GGYC is the rightful challenger, and that the next match would be in ten months, meaning early February 2010.
However, in a letter last week to GGYC, SNG unilaterally dictated that the match would be in May 2010 in defiance of the Court’s April 7 Order and Judgment.  SNG and Alinghi officials also made the same statements widely in the media.
“By forcing litigation over our rightful challenge, they have already managed to delay the match from July 2008 to February 2010,” said GGYC spokesman Tom Ehman. “Now they seek another three-month delay, in defiance of the Court’s clear mandate. Enough is enough.”
At a meeting with SNG representatives in Geneva last week, GGYC’s straightforward proposal for a conventional, multi-challenger America’s Cup in monohulls was categorically rejected by SNG.
# # #
Editor’s Note: For additional background, please go to www.ggyc.com.
For More Information
Jane Eagleson
Jeagleson@bmworacleracing.com
+1 201 887 8184 (USA)
+34 6202 80742 (Spain)
The Golden Gate Yacht Club, Challenger for the 44rd America’s Cup has lodged Contempt of Court proceedings against the Defender, Societe Nautique de Geneve, and has obtained a prompt Hearing on the matter.
The matter relates to the issuance of dates for the 33rd Match by the Defender for May 2010, when the New York Supreme Court had previously ordered a date three months earlier in February.
Sources close to SNG claim the later date, in contravention of the Court order, is to consistent with the requirements of the Deed of Gift, for a Defence in the Northern Hemisphere.
The formal statement issued by Golden Gate Yacht Club is as follows: …Â Details