Yachting: Court rules out UAE

Venue: Cup holders Alinghi

The New York Supreme Court has ruled that next year's America's Cup cannot take place in the United Arab Emirates, the venue chosen by holders Alinghi of Switzerland.

Justice Shirley Kornreich decided the venue must be in the Southern Hemisphere or in Valencia, where Alinghi won the last edition of the America's Cup in 2007.

Alinghi announced in August that it had selected the Gulf emirate of Ras al-Khaimah as the site for its February duel against US challenger Oracle to decide the 33rd edition of sailing's premier competition.

Oracle then filed a law suit, arguing the venue is unsafe due to its proximity to Iran as well as being a violation of the rules. The challenger has called for the race to be held in Valencia.

Justice Kornreich based her decision on the "Deed of Gift", the competition's rules which were drawn up in the 19th century and which state that the race cannot be held in the Northern Hemisphere between November 1 and May 1.

Alinghi argued that the court had authorised a venue in either hemisphere, the team also submitting affidavits from experts on how the race could be safely held.

The Swiss team has already brought its giant catamaran to Ras al-Khaimah, while the US side's crew is training on its trimaran in San Diego, California.