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Larry Ellison and Russell Coutts - Source: Reuters -
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Beaten Swiss team leader Ernesto Bertarelli had a parting shot for America's Cup victor Larry Ellison on Monday, urging him to keep the event's best interests at heart after two years of bitter legal battles.
Bertarelli's Alinghi were soundly beaten by Ellison's BMW Oracle in the second race of the best-of-three duel between the giant, hi-tech multi-hulls in Spain, surrendering their seven-year hold on sailing's oldest trophy 2-0.
The two races were the culmination of acrimonious legal wrangling as Bertarelli and Ellison, two of the world's richest men, argued over who could contest the regatta, where it could be sailed and what kind of boats and technology could be used.
The arguments over the rules - governed by a 19th century "Deed of Gift" - resulted in a two-boat series without a challengers series, an outcome even Ellison's co-sponsor BMW described as a disaster.
The arguments marked the event's lowest point since similar squabbling in the late 1980s.
"Now it's for them to rebuild that and I hope they do a good job. I wish them to do as well as we did," a disappointed Bertarelli told reporters after congratulating Ellison.
The legal battles are still going on, with a New York court to
rule on February 25 on a complaint by Ellison over the origins of
Alinghi's sails. Bertarelli urged Ellison to drop the case now the
issue had been settled on the water.
No choice
"We did everything we could but we never went to the courts unless we were forced to," Bertarelli said.
"I just hope he's going to drop his legal cases. If he does so, we will do the same," he said.
Ellison did not respond directly to Bertarelli's suggestion, saying instead the next America's Cup would be a multi-challenge event offering "a level playing field" for all competitors.
"The only thing we ever wanted was to meet Alinghi on the water with a fair set of rules and that's what we got today," the 65-year-old software mogul said.
Bertarelli, the Cup's first European winner, said the event's arcane legal background gave American teams a natural advantage.
"They had a strategy, they got a little help in the legal system in New York. That makes it a little difficult for us in Europe," he said.
"But that's the America's Cup. It's not the European Cup."
Bertarelli said he had not decided yet whether he would take part again. "It's not for me to decide the future of the America's Cup any more. I will wait and see where the future takes us," he said.
Ellison said his team had not decided on a venue or date for the next event. His native San Francisco - the team sails under the colours of the Golden Gate Yacht Club - would be a likely venue, although Newport is also a possibility.
Ellison said he had also received notification of a "Challenger of Record" - a lead challenger who would help shape the next America's Cup.
Italian shipping magnate Vincenzo Onorato is the most likely candidate, Italian media reporting he had already made clear his intentions. "Vincenzo Onorato's a close friend of ours and I've never known him to be untruthful about anything," Ellison said.
