Oracle rejects 'unsafe' UAE venue

US team Oracle rejected the choice of Gulf emirate Ras al-Khaimah as the venue for its February duel with America's Cup defender Alinghi, describing it as "illegitimate and unsafe" due to its proximity to Iran.

Oracle called on the New York Supreme Court on Friday to order the race instead be held in the Spanish Mediterranean port of Valencia, where the last America's Cup, won by Alinghi, took place in 2007.

Alinghi reacted angrily to the announcement by Oracle, owned by American computer billionaire Larry Ellison.

"We have the impression that Ellison is afraid to lose on the water and that's why they are continuing with the anti-sporting attitude and its (legal) strategy," said Alinghi spokesman Paco Latorre.

"It's the seventh time that they are going to the courts. They continue to insult everyone, and now it's Ras al-Khaimah that is being criticised."

Alinghi, owned by Swiss biotech billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli, and Oracle have been engaged in a two-year legal battle over the next edition of yachting's premier event.

Under a ruling by a New York court in April, the 33rd America's Cup was scheduled to be settled in a three-leg duel starting February 8 instead of the traditional fully-fledged regatta involving several teams.

In a surprise move, Alinghi announced in August that Ras al-Khaimah would be the site of the race, and its giant catamaran arrived in the tiny emirate last week.

Representatives of Oracle inspected the proposed venue last month.

"It was clear that the RAK venue fails on every key measure necessary for a successful America's Cup, including: lack of infrastructure, security and wind," Oracle said.

"Moreover, in light of the developing situation in the Arabian Gulf region, Ras al-Khaimah is particularly unsuitable."

It said Alinghi's "proposed course area is within 27 kilometres of islands occupied by Iran in a current territorial dispute with the UAE of which Ras al-Khaimah is a member state."

"We will not consent to Alinghi's choice of an illegitimate and unsafe venue."

It said that under America's Cup rules the race cannot be held in the northern hemisphere without the mutual consent of the two teams.

"The only exception is Valencia, which the (New York) court's April 7, 2009 decision expressly permits," Oracle said.