[Note: After contacting the Alinghi media office we were informed that apparently Team Germany couldn’t attend as they are re-organising themselves while Mascalzone refused to sign the confidentiality agreement, signed by all teams participating in the Competitor Meetings, and as a result was not admitted to the meeting]

[Source: Alinghi] A large majority of the teams entered in the 33rd Americas Cup today achieved another milestone in the process of getting the event back on the water during a second Competitor Meeting at the Socit Nautique de Genve in Switzerland.

Ten of the 12 entered challengers present at the meeting, along with the Defender Alinghi, expressed a unanimous will to work together constructively towards a class rule and regulations that satisfy all entered competitors.

Amongst other topics, it was agreed that:

- The Arbitration Panel be expanded to five members, with the two additional members being appointed by all the entered competitors through a democratic process

- The Race Committee has been agreed by all the entered competitors

- Other Americas Cup Race Officials, the Technical Director and Umpires will be selected following a similar process amongst ISAF officials

- Two pre-regattas will be organised in 2009 before the 33rd Americas Cup in 2010

All participants at todays meeting expressed their satisfaction with the process and their confidence in ongoing plans progressing towards a 33rd Americas Cup. They also urged BMW Oracle Racing once again to drop their lawsuit and enter this process.

The next Competitor Meeting is scheduled for December.

Competitor Meeting at the Socit Nautique de Genve. Geneva, November 11th 2008. Photo copyright Schmid Chris / Alinghi

The entered teams present at todays Competitor Meeting were:

1. Alinghi, Socit Nautique de Genve, Switzerland Defender of the 33rd Americas Cup
2. Desafo Espaol, Club Nutico Espaol de Vela, Spain Challenger of Record
3. Shosholoza, Royal Cape Yacht Club, South Africa
4. TeamOrigin, Royal Thames Yacht Club, United Kingdom
5. Emirates Team New Zealand, Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, New Zealand
6. Green Comm, Challenge Circolo di Vela Gargano, Italy
7. Ayre, Real Club Nutico de Dnia, Spain
8. Victory Challenge, Gamla Stans Yacht Sllskap, Sweden
9. Argo Challenge, Club Nutico di Gaeta, Italy
10. French Spirit, Yacht Club de St Tropez, France
11. Carbon Challengesi
Originaly from Source