Review committee begins its work

But disappointment expressed over Patricio Bertelli's views

The Golden Gate Yacht Club and America’s Cup organisers are pleased that the work of the America’s Cup Review Committee has begun and that it met with the teams in San Francisco today.

We appreciate the vote of confidence Mr Bertelli, president of Luna Rossa Challenge, gave to the America's Cup continuing as planned this summer on San Francisco Bay, during his press conference this afternoon in Alameda.

We are pleased that Luna Rossa has already submitted its suggestions to the Review Committee. We are, however, disappointed that Luna Rossa indicated that it might not follow the Review Committee's recommendation issued last evening that teams not sail in San Francisco before 23 May (to allow the Committee time to make further recommendations).

We note that Luna Rossa has already sailed its AC72 yacht in Auckland for some 40 days without incident and are now prepared to sail in San Francisco Bay.

Nonetheless, we expect that the Review Committee's safety-driven recommendations will be accepted by the teams, and we appreciate Mr. Bertelli's assurances in that regard during today's press conference.

The best way forward for the expert Review Committee is to complete its work and publish its recommendations so that we will achieve the safest-possible resumption of AC72 training and racing on San Francisco Bay as soon as possible.