The 2009 America's Cup in Valencia has been postponed because of a legal dispute between holders Alinghi and BMW Oracle Racing, organisers said today.
BMW Oracle have taken Alinghi to court in New York arguing that the Swiss defender chose an illegitimate yacht club to help set the rules for the next America's Cup, which the San Francisco-based team say are unfairly weighted in Alinghi's favour.
A statement on the official race website read: "The ongoing uncertainty around the conclusion of the New York court case brought by BOR leaves the organisers no choice but to delay the event, as many indicators demonstrate a lack of viability to stage the event in 2009 to the same standards as the 32nd America's Cup."