There are only five (!) weeks until racing starts. Still no agreement between SNG/Alinghi and the "Consorcio" as to what if anything will happen shoreside. We can only imagine how frustrating this is to the Valencian government.

Of course, there is also the small matter of the ongoing dispute between Alinghi and BOR about the compliance of the yachts with the Deed of Gift:

• Do Alinghi's sails need to be "constructed" in Switzerland? What about that new, longer bowsprit that was built in Switzerland but fitted in Ras al Khaimah - is that deed compliant?
• How about USA's wing - does it match the "sloop rig" announced in GGYC's challenge, made back in July 2007? The Deed of Gift calls for the Challenger to race in "a yacht or vessel propelled by sails only". Is a wing a sail?
• And where were the engines built that power the hydraulics on both yachts?

Do they really want to go "into the room" and let the International Jury decide these questions? Of course, they have been completely unwilling to consent mutually to anything for two and a half years - why should we expect them to start now?

Well, no matter what happens, if there is racing, then the Herreshoff Marine Museum will try our best to organize a trip to Valencia so you can see these yachts sail.

If you might be able to join us, email us at events@herreshoff.org ! We will keep you posted.