America's Cup solution offered by Alinghi

East coast of Australia being proposed by Alinghi for its America's Cup race against Oracle in February

6 November 2009
Alinghi is offering a solution to the current America's Cup deadlock.

It is suggesting that it take on Oracle off Australia's east coast in February.

It says the Australia option provides a venue that should be acceptable to both teams "if, as expressed publicly, the true intention of BMW Oracle is to race for the America's Cup on the water."

Alinghi says the east coast of Australia offers several locations with ideal sailing conditions for the best-of-three match.

"A venue in this region would be approximately two and a half weeks away by ship from BMW Oracle's base in San Diego, while Alinghi's voyage from Ras Al Khaimah would take approximately three weeks."

This latest move from Alinghi follows a court's earlier decision that it cannot hold the regatta in Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates. According to the Cup's deed of gift, it must be held in the Southern Hemisphere during the time period Alinghi is proposing. Alinghi says the litigation could end if this proposal is accepted.

The move comes ahead of a hearing at the New York Supreme Court tomorrow.

© 2009 NZCity, NewsTalkZB