The America’s Cup Defender, Société Nautique de Genève (SNG), has written to the New York Supreme Court to confirm that it will conduct a Deed of Gift Match with GGYC in February 2010 in Valencia.

The move comes following talks between the two sides over the weekend in which the venue for the Match which will be held on the 8,10,12 February 2010 was discussed. Alinghi and the SNG had previously aimed to run the match in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE before the court ruled that this was in breach of the Deed of Gift. Then came the suggestion from the Defenders that Proserpine/Airlie Beach and Townsville in Australia could be suitable.

But now in a statement released by Alinghi, the Defenders have confirmed that they would be ready to race in Valencia in February while at the same time keeping the door open to BMW Oracle and the Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) should they wish to accept the offer to race in Australia.

‘While SNG confirms Valencia as the venue for the 33rd America’s Cup in February 2010, the offer to GGYC of an Australian venue for the same date remains on the table until 13 November 2009 provided GGYC agrees to withdraw all legal actions.’

The announcement will surprise those who believed that the Defenders would fight hard not to sail in Valencia in the winter with the assumption that their catamaran was less suited to the more variable and potentially stronger conditions that the Mediterranean winter could offer.

Others may see the move as pre-empting a possible loss of face if BMW Oracle and the GGYC refused to accept Australia as a venue. Furthermore, the outcome of Justice Kornriech’s consultation with the three America’s Cup experts, (Willis, Tillet and McKenzie), in which five remaining issues were to be ruled upon, has yet to be announced.

Whatever the reasons, today’s statement also included the Notice of Race for the 33rd America’s Cup which, when the Challengers have had a chance to read and digest, may prove to spark off more discussions over the management of the 33rd America’s Cup.

Either way, two important issues appear to have been nailed – the date and the venue.

Among the details in the NOR, (analysis and comment to come later) lie some interesting clues as to how the next America’s Cup will be conducted.

NOTICE OF RACE IN A NUTSHELL

Sailing Instructions will be available no later than 1800 8 Jan 2010

Course area – similar to that used at 32nd America’s Cup in Valencia

Max wind speed – 15 knots
Max wave height – 1m
Boat length zone at all marks and boats changed to 4 boats

‘Changes to the Racing Rules of Sailing will appear in full in the Sailing Instructions’ which may also ‘change other racing rules.’

Acceptance of the rules means that competitor and boat owner agree to, ‘not resort to any court of law or tribunal.’

Measurement of BMW Oracle’s boat will be Feb 1-6

Boat dimensions to be:

Alinghi
LWL 44-90ft if one mast
LWL 80-115ft if two masts

BMW Oracle Racing ‘USA’
LWL – 90ft
Beam waterline – 90ft
Bmax – 90ft
Draft hulls – 3ft
Draft boards, down – 20ft

Race Programme – best of three series

Warning signal between 0800-1630 local

Race 1 – Monday 8 Feb – 20nm to windward and return
Race 2 – Wednesday 10 Feb  – 39nm equilateral triangle, first leg a beat
Race 3 – Friday 12 Feb – 20nm to windward and return
Reserve days 15-25 Feb inclusive + additional reserve days if required.