Sailing America's Cup

US syndicate Oracle has lodged a request with the Supreme Court in New York a bid to make sure America's Cup rivals Alinghi play fair in the lead-up to their long-awaited duel next year.

Cup defenders Alinghi, owned by Swiss biotech billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli, announced last month they would face Oracle in a multihull duel for the 33rd America's Cup in the United Arab Emirates at Ras al-Khaimah from February 8.

That choice of venue has been opposed by the Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC), which represents Oracle.

And the GGYC said it continues to have "serious issues" with the way Alinghi's representative, the Societe Nautique de Geneve (SNG), is organising the next edition of the oldest trophy in sport.

Having recently reinforced its legal team, Oracle have now asked the Supreme Court to make sure Alinghi abide by the race's historical rules known as the Deed of Gift.

A statement by the GGYC added: "Our reasons are clear: Recent actions by Société Nautique de Genève (SNG) to unfairly manipulate the rules continue their disturbing pattern of misconduct as Trustee of the oldest trophy in sports."

The GGYC have asked the Court to make sure the SNG does not try to impose regulations, notably concerning the measurements of boats and their equipment, that do not exist under the Deed of Gift.

The GGYC also called for the "secret agreement SNG has with ISAF (International Sailing Federation)" be made public.

Since 2007, when Alinghi won the last, 32nd edition in Valencia, Spain the rivals have been engaged in a lengthy legal battle over the next edition of the race.