Australia for America's Cup?

Alinghi, the holder of the America's Cup, has offered Australia's east coast, as a venue for its 33rd Cup match against BMW Oracle in February next year.

The venue has been the subject of legal battles between the two syndicates and their respective yacht clubs, Societe Nautique de Geneve and Golden Gate Yacht Club, for several months.

In recent rulings on outstanding issues, the holder of the Deed of Gift for the America's Cup, the New York Supreme Court has ruled largely in favour of the challenger.

It had appealed against Alinghi's choice of Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates and the Court stated the race had to be in either Valencia, the venue for the last Cup match, or a Southern Hemisphere venue.

Alinghi announced through a press statement on Thursday that it proposed an Australian venue in a bid to end Oracle's continued litigation and to return the Cup to the water.

"This is a venue that should be acceptable to both teams if, as expressed publicly, the true intention of BMW Oracle is to race for the America's Cup on the water," the statement read.

"A specific race course in the Pacific Ocean off the east coast of Australia, with weather conditions suitable for racing in February, will be announced promptly should GGYC accept this offer and cease their legal strategy."

"The east coast of Australia offers several locations with ideal sailing conditions for the best-of-three match."

The venue could be reached in two and a half weeks by ship from BMW Oracle's San Diego base and three weeks from Alinghi's base in Ras Al Khaimah.