CC MEMO -- Stormy Weather

For over a year the Challengers have objected to ACM's acceptance of Alinghi's recommendation for ACM to spend Euro 3.5 million on a Met Data Service ("MDS"), of which some Euro 3.0 million would be spent placing 20+ weather buoys in the racing area. The Challengers believe that this large number of weather buoys, and the special layout, will give a significant competitive advantage to Alinghi, is unnecessarily expensive, and will constitute a hazard to navigation.

On 21 February the CC sent a letter to the Valencia Port Authority concerning the hazard to navigation these buoys would present. The Port acknowledged receipt but has not otherwise replied. For the text of the letters, please see this previous post.

The week of 21 March The Daily Sail ran a wide-ranging interview with Tom Ehman, then CC Chairman. An excerpt from that interview concerning MDS also was previously posted.

On 13 April ACM sent to each Competitor the long-overdue final specification and team subscription documents for MDS.

At the 10 May CC meeting, MDS Working Party chairman Luis Saenz (Luna Rossa) presented a report and recommendation (on behalf of the MDS Working Party, which included team meteorologists from most Challengers) in response to the 13th April MDS papers from ACM, and on next steps with regard to the CC’s continuing strong opposition to ACM’s Met Data Service on "Neutral Management" and excessive expense grounds. The report was received with appreciation and approved unanimously. Chairman George Clyde made the recommended communication to ACM, asking for a response by 20 May.

Friday evening 20 May, ACM replied to the Chairman's communication, stating that ACM would continue to implement the MDS program as designed and specced by Alinghi despite the repeated objections of the Challengers and the CC.

Given the ACM response, CC Chairman George Clyde advises that, in accordance with the resolution adopted unanimously at the 10 May CC meeting, an application on behalf of the CC and Challengers will be filed with the Jury this week, formally disputing the matter with ACM.