Diss-meeting of the Minds

Both America’s Cup teams held press conferences on Friday evening in Valencia, three days ahead of Race One. Here are the “highlights.”

On who does what:

Bertarelli_Feb_5_2010Ernesto Bertarelli at the Alinghi base

Alinghi owner Ernesto Bertarelli announced that he intends to share the helm(s) of his catamaran with the great Loick Peyron.

Ellison_Spithill_Feb_5_2010Ellison, left, and helmsman Jimmy Spithill

BMW Oracle Racing owner Larry Ellison announced that he will not sail Race One (which threatens to have light winds), “Because there’s a weight limit. I’m disappointed, but I’m not going to do anything that jeopardizes our chances of winning the race.”

BOR_pressconferencePress conference at the BOR base

Ellison on the character of America’s Cup 33:

“It’s like a heavyweight championship fight where the fighters don’t like each other. People can be fascinated by things like that.”

Bertarelli on further court hearings:

“As far as I’m concerned it’s over on the water.”

Suns New Jerseys