America’s Cup Challenger to Be Determined by N.Y. Court
A legal battle will determine whether Oracle CEO Lawrence Ellison’s $10 million yacht can compete in the next America’s Cup.
According to the New York Times, the dispute has led to “enough billable hours for lawyers to buy boats of their own.” The case is pending before New York’s highest court, which is being asked to decide whether the rules governing the next race are unfair.
The article identifies Ellison’s opponent—in the lawsuit and in the yacht race—as Ernesto Bertarelli, the former head of a Swiss company whose team, Alinghi, won the last two America’s Cup challenges.
At issue is whether Ellison’s BMW Oracle Racing has the right to challenge Alinghi, or whether the rightful challenger is Club Nautico Espanol de Vela, Orlando.com reports. Oracle Racing claims Club Nautico Espanol was created solely to challenge Alinghi and is not a valid team.
