America's Cup moves ahead but date is in question

A court ruling on Tuesday settled who will contest the next America's Cup although the stage was set for more squabbling over when the race between Alinghi and challenger BMW Oracle would be held.

BMW Oracle want a head-to-head battle this year while Alinghi said they would not be ready to go until July 2009.

Under America's Cup guidelines, Alinghi as defending champion selects the venue, and the challenger chooses when the race will take place.

Tom Ehman, a spokesman for the challenging Golden Gate Yacht Club, said the two sides had agreed in December to hold the race in October 2008.

Alinghi, however, said their boat would not be ready by then and proposed July 2009.

Owner Ernesto Bertarelli said Alinghi hopes to complete the building of the Swiss syndicate's boat in the spring and summer of 2008 and to use the winter to test the boat and make it operational.