As the Swiss 2007 America's Cup winning yacht Alinghi arrived in the Emirate of Ras al Khaimah last week, controversy has erupted around the proposed February 2010 race venue.
While the America's Cup Defenders, the Société Nautique de Geneve which races Alinghi, had the right to choose the venue for the February race, the Challengers – Golden Gate Yacht Club – are claiming that the venue in the Middle East is unsuitable, and has requested the New York Supreme Court to reject the decision.
Despite the fact that the Alinghi yacht has been shipped half way around the road by container ship, the Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) and it's BMW Oracle Racing team have ridiculed the venue in the Emirate of Ras al Khaimah (RAK).
"The choice of RAK underscores SNG's [Société Nautique de Geneve] abject failure in its responsibilities as Trustee of the America's Cup," said New Zealander Russell Coutts, skipper and CEO of GGYC's BMW Oracle Racing team.
"It seems that the Defender is prepared to go to any lengths to make this America's Cup a travesty," added Coutts.
The choice of venue for the 33rd America's Cup Deed of Gift cannot be in the Northern hemisphere without GGYC's mutual consent, except for Valencia in Spain, which is Challenging team's preferred choice.
According to reports, the GGYC's BMW Oracle Racing team sent a delegation to inspect the venue in the Emirate of Ras al Khaimah, reporting back that it failed to meet all key criteria, including a lack of wind, security and infrastructure.
The report also highlighted that a volatile situation in the region precludes any racing, as the proposed course is within 17 miles of areas (islands) occupied by Iran, which has an ongoing dispute with the United Arab Emirates over territorial rights. Ras al-Khaima is a member state of the United Arab Emirates.
Having already shipped its Alinghi racing yacht to RAK, the Société Nautique de Geneve is unlikely to back down on its choice of venue, but if the America's Cup Challenger, the Golden Gate Yacht Club, gets the New York Supreme Court's agreement, it could force a change of venue to Valencia in Spain.
Whatever the outcome, it has embroiled the prestigious race in a controversy that is sure to make the race even more meaningful for the competitors.