Team New Zealand to allegedly file two lawsuits in NY against Alinghi

This is NOT official yet but it has come from various reliable sources. The complete details are not known yet and as a result this story might not be entirely accurate, as far as the legal and technical details are concerned.

It appears Grant Dalton, managing director of Team New Zealand, is today (Thursday) in New York in order to file two lawsuits against Alinghi (or the Société Nautique de Genève) in relation to the 33rd America's Cup. Dalton will file the papers at the New York court at 2pm local time (8pm European time).

In the first one, it appears, Team New Zealand seeks damages concerning the contract the kiwi challengers had with the organizers of the 33rd America's Cup. We understand, Team NZ considers Alinghi (or the Société Nautique de Genève or America's Cup Management, we don't know at this stage) haven't fulfilled their contractual obligations to hold an America's Cup in Valencia in 2009, after announcing the 33rd America's Cup would have to be delayed.

Just like the rest of the teams that entered the 33rd America's Cup, Team NZ was working on the design and sailing aspects of the project at a very brisk pace, given the fact there was a mere 18 months between the end of one event and the start of the other. Although it appears Team NZ has sufficient funds to continue until 2011 they are seeking financial compensation.

The details of the second lawsuit are sketchier. It appears they have to do with the Protocol of the 33rd America's Cup and the Club Nautico Español de Vela (CNEV) which the New Zealanders consider to be a paper yacht club without any substance.

I repeat, this is not OFFICIAL and the text might differ from the exact wording of the legal documents. We will keep posting more information.