The recent decision by the New York Courts has set the 33rd America’s Cup as a Deed of Gift Match between two teams – Alinghi and BMW Oracle. That match is due to take place in February next year.

Once this event has been completed, the AC programme should return to normal, and British Team Origin plans to resume operations and compete in a multi-challenger 34th America’s Cup event.

Sir Keith Mills commented: “I have invested considerable time, money and effort to bring together an outstanding America’s Cup team. We are all disappointed that we cannot compete in the 33rd America’s Cup and most of the challenging teams have now had to reduce levels of operations until certainty resumes. That said, I am absolutely committed to competing in, and winning, the America’s Cup, and look forward to moving forward again when the timetable for the 34th Cup is announced.”

Mike Sanderson, Team Director, added: “We have been preparing, planning and training for over two years now for an event that continues to elude us. It has been a frustrating time but we must use this delay smartly, sensibly and economically. In a nutshell, there is no event for us to enter right now so it makes absolute sense, especially in today’s economic climate, to conserve our resources and wait until normality resumes.”

The team skipper and helmsman Ben Ainslie, gave his views on this latest status. “The decision to race a Deed of Gift Match between Alinghi and BMW Oracle for the 33rd America’s Cup is disappointing for me and the rest of Team Origin,” he explained.

“However, we shall use the time wisely and continue to hone our skills on the World Match Racing circuit. The team we have pulled together has enormous potential and as soon as details are confirmed for a multi-challenger 34th America’s Cup, we will drive forward again with the same ambition – to win the America’s Cup for Great Britain.”