Work begin on America's Cup

Madrid - Representatives from a record 19 potential challengers have met in Geneva with Swiss champions Alinghi to prepare for the 33rd edition of the America's Cup to be held in 2010 or 2011 in Valencia.

They agreed on a new protocol for the event and on the holding of three regattas in preparation for the Cup in Valencia in July and October next year regardless of the outcome of the legal appeal launched by US team Oracle against Alinghi's plans to alter the event's format, Alinghi said in a statement.

It is the first time that Alinghi has raised the possibility of staging the next edition of the Cup in "2010 or 2011". Up until now the Swiss team has always mentioned 2010 as the date for the next America's Cup.

Expressed disappointment

The meeting in Geneva comes just days before a December 15 deadline for teams to register for sailing's most high-profile competition.

Oracle have refused to sign up for the Cup, arguing that the new format proposed by Alinghi unfairly favours the Swiss champions and will instead focus on winning its appeal in a New York court.

In the statement, Alinghi and the 19 challengers expressed their disappointment with Oracle.

"We disagree with Oracle's legal strategy and still hope that they will choose to enter the 33rd America's Cup before Monday's deadline. Nevertheless, we have to continue working towards a multi-challenge event," they said.

The 33rd America's Cup was originally scheduled for 2009 in Valencia but was put on hold after BMW Oracle challenged the legality of the Spanish team - Desafio Espanol - recognised by Alinghi as the event's official "challenger of record."

The "challenger of record" is involved with the title holders in setting the rules for the next edition of the race.

Filed own appeal

A New York judge ruled in Oracle's favour in November 2007 and a subsequent ruling set up a best-of-three, head-to-head series between the two rivals rather than the traditional multi-boat competition.

Alinghi successfully appealed against the decision, saying they preferred a later race date, a separate challenger of record and a larger field of challengers.

Oracle filed their own appeal and a ruling is expected in the spring of 2009.

Of the 19 challengers who took part in the meeting, 15 who have already signed up for the 33rd America's Cup while four are in the process of doing so.

They included Team New Zealand, Team Germany, Britain's Team Origin, Italy's Mascalzone and Sweden's Victory Challenge.