Oracle rebuffs Alinghi changes to rules

BMW Oracle rebuffed changes Alinghi made to the America's Cup rules yesterday and demanded a direct negotiation before they would drop a law suit against the Swiss syndicate. BMW Oracle has taken Cup holders Alinghi to court over rules they say are unfairly weighted in the defender's favour, including the right to disqualify teams or bar them from entering.

They have also contested the validity of the team Alinghi lined up as its main challenger.

On Thursday, Alinghi tweaked the rules to address some of those issues but BMW Oracle, bankrolled by software billionaire Larry Ellison, said that was not enough.

"We welcome some new points, but the changes are largely cosmetic and do not address the central issues," Tom Ehman, head of external affairs at BMW Oracle said.

Asked if the US team would drop its court case, he said: "No, not based on these amendments."

He argued that Alinghi could still change the rules at any time with the challenger of record, a new Spanish club Oracle has called "a sham".

He also said Alinghi were effectively still able to disqualify any competitor who disagreed with the protocol. Alinghi has said any team up for disqualification would be able to appeal to the arbitration panel.

"This should be resolved by negotiating face to face," Ehman said.

"So far Alinghi have rejected our offers to try to negotiate a settlement through mediation."

Alinghi has criticised BMW Oracle for trying to get in on the organisation of the 33rd America's Cup through the back door of its legal case while the Swiss syndicate are discussing the way forward with teams who have already challenged.