America’s Cup challenger wins measurement ruling; judge cites ‘unsportsmanlike behavior’

America’s Cup challenger wins measurement ruling

A New York judge has denied a motion by America’s Cup champion Alinghi of Switzerland to disqualify challenger BMW Oracle Racing because the U.S.-based syndicate hasn’t provided a measurement certificate for its 90-foot trimaran.

Justice Shirley Kornreich of the Supreme Court of the State of New York said BMW Oracle Racing, owned by software tycoon Larry Ellison of Oracle Corp., must provide Alinghi with the final documentation at least two weeks before Feb. 8. That’s the start date for the best-of-3 showdown off Ras al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.

Kornreich also wrote that “unsportsmanlike behavior” by the U.S. syndicate has “substantially” reduced the Swiss team’s advantage as defender.