Russell Coutts called on his former team Alinghi to clarify their intentions for the next America's Cup before thinking about ambitious revamps of sport's oldest running competition.

Ernesto Bertarelli, owner of Swiss Cup holders Alinghi, proposed radical changes to the event last week after losing a legal challenge to Coutts' new team, BMW Oracle of the United States over arrangements for the 33rd America's Cup. The next regatta was originally scheduled for Valencia in 2009.

"We need an answer now, yes or no to an America's Cup in Valencia in 2009," Coutts said.

"Maybe he has a long-term vision, but we've been asking for clarity about what's happening now.

"A lot of teams are gearing up for Valencia. We need a decision. We need to know what boats we are racing and where we are racing," said the three-times America's Cup-winning skipper and Olympic gold medallist.

Alinghi and its organising body ACM originally called for the 33rd America's Cup to be raced in 90-foot (27-metre) boats in Valencia in 2009 but last month said it would be delayed indefinitely because the legal uncertainty was making it hard to sign up sponsors in time.

Now BMW Oracle has won the legal case, they could race Alinghi one-on-one in multihulled boats next year but the US syndicate has said they would prefer other teams to be involved and for them all to stick to Valencia 2009.