/world sport
NEW YORK -- The Americas Cup rematch between holders Alinghi of Switzerland and U.S. rivals Oracle will be held next March after a New York judge dismissed an Oracle appeal against Alinghi.
Alinghi will defend their Americas Cup crown in March after a ruling by a New York Supreme Court judge.
New York Supreme Court Judge Herman Cahn ruled that Oracle can challenge the Swiss syndicate 10 months from Monday, with the earliest possible date for the Valencia matchup on March 12.
Cahn said it would be "inequitable" to deprive Alinghi of the full 10-month notice of challenge to prepare the boat.
"By getting 10 months notice, we will be at full capacity as a team, which we can express on the water," said Alinghi lawyer Lucien Masmejan.
The decision was a victory for Alinghi, who had always said they preferred a duel in the Spring of 2009 while Oracle had demanded it be in October, 2008. Oracle had claimed a contract breach by Alinghi.
The 33rd America's Cup had originally been scheduled to be held in Valencia in July 2009 as a traditional multi-boat regatta.
But organizers indefinitely postponed the event last November because of the legal wrangling betwen Oracle and Alinghi over the Deed of Gift -- the protocol setting out the America's Cup rules.
Alinghi successfully defended their crown against Team New Zealand in the 32nd America's Cup last year.
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