Ex-Wife pleads with new Couple: ‘Get on with it!’

With the marriage of convenience between the Swiss Defender and Spanish Challenger of Record having been annulled by Justice Cahn two weeks ago, Desafio Espanol issued its own version of the ‘let’s-get-on-with-it’ press release which Golden Gate Yacht Club has been pumping out over recent days.

The Desafio statement is careful not to apportion blame in the current impasse, but between Larry Ellison and Ernesto Bertarelli, who do you think this message is aimed at? Life as the Defender must always feel a little lonely, but never more so than now.

How things have changed. A few years ago, Bertarelli threw the Kiwis the lifeline of a loan worth a few million dollars to keep them in the game after the 2003 collapse of Team New Zealand on the Hauraki Gulf. He made the memorable comment that an America’s Cup without New Zealand would be like a Football World Cup without Brazil.

But if things keep in going the way they are going now, then it will be Bertarelli who owes money to Team New Zealand, according to Grant Dalton. Dalton says he secured an agreement from Bertarelli that if the Kiwis would be compensated to the tune of US $24 million if it was postponed to 2010, and $37 million if postponed to 2011.

The current mess somewhat puts into perspective the nationality rule spat between Bertarelli and Dalton in the days leading up to the 32nd America’s Cup Match. Right now, arguments as to the pros and cons of a tighter nationality rule pale by comparison to the disastrous tangle in which the Cup finds itself now.

By the way, Chris Clarey’s interview with Bertarelli for the International Herald Tribune made waves when it was published back in June, and it’s pretty interesting now in light of the present predicament.

click here to read the interview with Bertarelli….

 

and the Desafio Espanol press statement in full…

 

Statement from Desafío Español

It is with great concern that the Desafío Español views the current situation regarding the America’s Cup. The delay in making decisions about the format and dates for an event in which teams can participate other than the Defender and the new Challenger of Record is alarming. Without wishing to point the finger or apportion blame anywhere precious time is being lost.

With this loss of time comes undue uncertainty, which is dramatically affecting all teams, their families and sponsors, saying nothing of the image of the event as a whole. Desafío Español implores both parties to use common sense and basic sportsmanship to resolve this conflict now. Put aside personal agendas and think of a greater good.

The Defender and the Challenger of Record must assume their respective responsibilities within the America’s Cup community, including the potential challengers of the 33rd America’s Cup and all other parties involved. They must find an exit to this conflict that will allow the finalisation of a schedule for the competition.

The lack of certainty today and into the future is only of both parties’ making. The damage that is being wilfully done can only be blamed on them both. Maintaining today’s situation into the future is a serious irresponsibility which they may have to assume.