The bitter dispute between the current Cup holders Alinghi, its yacht club Société Nautique de Genève and BMW Oracle and the Golden Gate Yacht Club looks set to head back to court with the news that the date of the next America’s Cup match is now the problem.

In a statement issued by the GGYC today;

‘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.’

The GGYC claims that in early April this year a New York court ruled that the next America’s Cup would take place ten months later, ie. February 2010. Yet, following the meeting between both sides last week the SNG claimed that the next Cup would be in May 2010.

The news that the dispute looks like it will head back to court will not be a surprise to those that followed the proceedings of last week’s meeting where the conflict in dates appeared to be just the first of several potential problems.

While the recent Appeal Court ruling was seen as the beginning of the end for this protracted dispute, the reality appears at odds and seriously depressing, not just for the Cup, but for the reputation of the sport.

Even more disheartening is the thought that the next round of statements will likely do little more than continue the ‘they said, we said’ squabble.