Alinghi calls for end to America's Cup legal battle

America's Cup holders Alinghi have joined forces with 11 of its challengers to call for an end to the legal wrangling that has repeatedly delayed the latest edition of the prestigious competition.

After meeting at Alinghi's Geneva yacht club, the 12 teams issued a joint statement calling on American rivals BMW Oracle "to withdraw their lawsuit and join in the fair and constructive process" to set the rules for the race's next edition.

Alinghi said the teams also reached general agreement about the type of boat that should be used for the next America's Cup.

"The new class should be faster and more spectacular than the one used for the 32nd America's Cup, but more cost-efficient than the AC90 craft which was originally intended for use in the 33rd America's Cup."

The 33rd running of the race was originally due to take place in 2009 but was put on hold after BMW Oracle challenged the legality of the Spanish team recognised by Alinghi as the official Challenger of Record.

Last November, a New York judge ruled in BMW Oracle's favour, and a subsequent ruling set up a best-of-three, head-to-head series between the two rivals rather than the traditional multi-boat competition.

Alinghi successfully appealed, saying it preferred a later race date, a separate challenger of record and a larger field of challengers. The Swiss-based team said it still wanted to stage the next America's Cup in 2010.

BMW Oracle's Golden Gate Yacht Club appeared to question the sincerity of Alinghi's offer in a response sent out shortly after the Swiss team's own statement.

"We have offered repeatedly to drop our lawsuit if Alinghi commits to fair rules, and our offer still stands," Golden Gate spokesman Tom Ehman said.