SNG welcomes 33rd America's Cup Notice of Challenge from Italy

by Daphne Morgan-Barnicoat, Alinghi Media on 12 May 2009
The Defender of the 33rd America's Cup, the Société Nautique de Genève (SNG), today received an official Notice of Challenge from the Circolo di Vela Gargnano (CVG) with a certificate for a 90x90foot vessel as per the Golden Gate / BMW Oracle challenge for the 33rd America's Cup.

SNG welcomes the Italian entry; CVG was a challenger in the 32nd America's Cup and is world renowned for its prestigious Centomiglia regatta. It has now challenged with a multihull as per the Golden Gate challenge.

SNG and Alinghi have always supported a multi-challenger event and continue to do so. At a meeting on 23 April, the Swiss Defender asked the American Challenger of Record to open the challenger selection series. SNG continues to encourage a 33rd America's Cup with multiple teams from different nations; however the decision to accept the Italian challenge in a multihull lies with the Golden Gate Yacht Club and BMW Oracle Racing.

NB:Alinghi/SNG cannot accept a second challenge without the agreement of the Challenger of Record, BMW Oracle Racing/GGYC.

Alinghi, Defender of the 33rd America’s Cup, is the culmination of Ernesto Bertarelli’s passion for sailing. The Swiss entrepreneur, former owner of biotech giant Serono, created the team in 2000 to participate in the oldest sports trophy in the world. At its first attempt, Alinghi won the 31st America’s Cup in New Zealand in 2003, and then succeeded in defending it in Valencia, Spain, in 2007 in what was the closest America’s Cup Match of all time.

The Swiss Defender – through AC Management – organised an outstanding four-year event with 12 teams from five continents competing for the trophy. The competition was visited by more than 6.4 million spectators and watched on TV by over 4.2 billion viewers.

Alinghi flies the colours of the Société Nautique de Genève, Switzerland, and stands for a professional, multicultural, passionate, free spirited and self-confident team.

Visit their web site at: www.alinghi.com

The text of the documents lodged by Circolo di Vela Gargnano (CVG) are as follows:

Pierre-Yves Firmenich
Société Nautique de Genève
Port Noir
CH 1223 Cologny
Switzerland

Enclosed Challenge for the 33rd America’s Cup

Dear Commodore,

Attached is a bona fide challenge from Circolo di Vela Gargnano (CVG) made under
similar terms as the Notice of Challenge submitted by Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC)
on July 11, 2007. CVG respectfully requires to be accepted as a legitimate Challenger for
the 33rd America’s Cup. CVG submits its challenge in the hope that, as contemplated by
the Deed of Gift, the Challenger of Record will organize Challenger Selection Series and
will open its challenge to other Challengers to preserve this competition as a friendly
competition between nations.

CVG is fully prepared to meet all the obligations of the Challenger, as provided by the
letter and spirit of the Deed of Gift, in accordance with the history and tradition of the
oldest trophy in international sport.

Sincerely,
Lorenzo Rizzardi
President
Circolo di Vela Gargnano


11 May 2009
Pierre-Yves Firmenich
Société Nautique de Genève
Port Noir
CH 1223 Cologny
Switzerland

Notice of Challenge for the 33rd America’s Cup

Dear Commodore,

It is with much pleasure that the Circolo di Vela Gargnano (CVG) hereby formally
challenges Société Nautique de Genève (SNG) to a match for the America’s Cup.
This Notice of Challenge is given in accordance with the America’s Cup Deed of Gift
dated 24 October 1887 between George L Schuyler and the New York Yacht Club as
amended by Orders of the Supreme Court of the State of New York dated 17 December
1956 and 5 April 1985.

We are pleased to confirm that CVG:
(a) is incorporated in Gargnano, Italy ;
(b) maintains a membership of more than 250 members;
(c) operates as a yacht club and has objectives consistent with the furtherance of
yachting activities;
(d) is a member of our national sailing authority, the Italian Sailing Federation; and
Via C.A. Bettoni, 23 – 25080 Bogliaco (BS) – Italia – Tel. 0365 71433 – Fax 0365 71028 – E-mail:info@centomiglia.it – C.F. e P.IVA 01517010987
(e) has an annual regatta, the Cento Cup that, among other CVG regattas, is and has
been held annually on a arm of the sea, namely Mediterranean Sea in Trapani,
Italy.

We shall of course accept the race dates and venue set by the Challenger of Record and
the Defender under the Deed of Gift or by mutual consent provided that we would favour
a match in the Northern Hemisphere (the Hemisphere where the Challenger of Record,
the Defender and ourselves are based).

We acknowledge that the Deed of Gift contemplated negotiations between the Challenger
and the Defender and nothing in this Challenge is intended to circumvent consensual
negotiations in the spirit of the Deed of Gift toward a Protocol.

Also in accordance with the requirement of the Deed of Gift, attached is the Certificate as
to the name, rig and specified dimensions of the challenging vessel. The 'Custom House'
registry of the challenging vessel will be sent as soon as possible.

Sincerely,
Lorenzo Rizzardi
President
Circolo di Vela Gargnano


CERTIFICATE OF NAME, RIG AND SPECIFIED DIMENSIONS OF CHALLENGING VESSEL

I, President Lorenzo Rizzardi, certify the details set out below as to the name, rig and
specified dimensions of the challenging vessel to represent Circolo di Vela Gargnano
in a match for the America’s Cup to be sailed in accordance with the Notice of
Challenge herewith:

1. Name: Green Comm Challenge
2. Owner: Green Comm Challenge
3. Rig: Single-masted, sloop-rigged
4. Dimensions:
(a) Length on Load Waterline – 90 feet
(b) Beam at Load Waterline – 90 feet
(c) Extreme Beam – 90 feet
(d) Draught of water (hull draft) – 3 feet
(e) Draught of water (boards down) – 20 feet
For the Circolo di Vela Gargnano
_________________________
Lorenzo Rizzardi, President