Sailing News

America’s Cup defenders Oracle have released a draft protocol for the next edition that envisages cost-cutting measures and an independent regulator to decide disputes.

The US syndicate called on challengers for the 34th America’s Cup to comment on the protocol before it is published by August 31.

Oracle won the 33rd edition in a best-of-three showdown with Swiss syndicate Alinghi in Valencia in February, after more than two years of legal wrangling over the rules.

The draft protocol is eyeing a “neutral race management body” to regulate disputes.

It also seeks to “rein in costs by reducing the number of racing crew, introducing `no sailing’ periods and limiting the hulls, masts, appendages and sails teams can build.”

The draft is a joint initiative between Oracle and Italian syndicate Mascalzone Latino, the official “challenger of record.”

“This has been a painstaking process, but we believe it sets out a new deal for the America’s Cup and fair play for all teams,” Oracle CEO Russell Coutts said. “This is a significant first step in that direction. Teams will know what they are signing up to.”

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Related posts:

1. 34th America’s Cup draft Protocol presented to teams
2. 34 America’s Cup News: Mascalzone Latino Challenger of Record
3. 34 America’s Cup rules will be unveiled September 13th in Valencia

Tags: Oracle

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 30th, 2010 at 1:37 am and is filed under 34rd America's Cup. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.