America's Cup talks end in disarray

Acrimony and disarray marked the break-up of the latest talks to try and resolve the disputes between the two sides in the America's Cup.

The American challenger, BMW Oracle, said afterwards that agreement over things like their complaint concerning non-Swiss gear being used on the Alinghi defender, had been close.

More than one draft had been written at the talks in Singapore by an Alinghi representative but had been blocked by ‘higher authority', which could only mean the Alinghi boss, Ernesto Bertarelli. This had triggered their decision once again to refer the matter to the New York Supreme Court.

The San Francisco-based team hopes for a hearing by 27 February, just nine days before the best of three between the two most radical multi-hulls ever seen are due to begin in Valencia.

But a decision in favour of the Americans could still be appealed by the Swiss, meaning the event would go ahead without the row being resolved.

Greater harmony is expected at a meeting in Paris on Friday when nine teams, also including a non-participating BMW Oracle, will discuss enhanced plans for the Louis Vuitton World Series regatta in Auckland in March.

Taking Oracle's place in the group which started the series in Nice in November is expected to be a second Italian America's Cup team, Vincenzo Onorato's Mascalzone Latino.

They may also be told of an additional regatta in Dubai in November, which would push the Hong Kong event back to January 2011. There is also news that a British initiative by its America's Cup challenger, team Origin, skippered by Ben Ainslie, to bring an event to the UK has led to 11 responses from venues wishing to host a regatta in 2011.

They will be asked to reply in detail to a specification document.