Madrid - The eastern Spanish city of Valencia will host two America's Cup pre-regattas later this year, organisers said Wednesday.
The first regatta will be held July 10-19 with the second set for October, under a deal signed between America's Cup organisers AC Management, the municipality of Valencia and the government of the Valencia region.
The regattas are expected to involve defending Swiss champions Alinghi and the 18 challengers who have signed up for the 33rd America's Cup, which remains shrouded in uncertainty due to a legal battle over the rules of the event.
The regattas will use ACC Version 5.0 yachts that were employed in the 32nd America's Cup held in Valencia in 2007 and involve a combination of fleet and match racing, AC Management said in a statement.
If the court battle over the America's Cup rules is decided in favour of a multi-challenger event as proposed by defending Swiss champions Alinghi, the two regattas will be part of the 33rd edition of the event, the statement added.
The New York Court of Appeals is expected to give a final ruling at the end of March in the legal battle between Alinghi and Oracle, owned by American billionaire Larry Ellison, over the rules of sailing's premier event.
Alinghi, owned by pharmaceuticals billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli, won the last edition of the America's Cup held in Valencia in 2007 with a 5-2 win over Team New Zealand.
The 33rd America's Cup was originally scheduled to be held in Valencia in 2009 but organisers put it off because the legal squabbling between Alinghi and US team Oracle over changes to the rules of the event made by the Swiss side.
Oracle also argues that it is the legitimate Challenger of Record for the next America's Cup, not the Spanish association, Desafio Espanyol, which was selected by Alinghi.
If the court rules in favour of Oracle, the next America's Cup, sailing's premier event, could be decided by a best of three duel involving large multihull boats as proposed by the US team.
Oracle, however, has indicated that it would be willing to negotiate with Alinghi a traditional regatta if it wins its case in court.