Australian Grant Simmer, director general of America's Cup holders Alinghi, says he is confident that the 33rd edition of the world's oldest yachting competition will go ahead as planned in 2010.

Swiss team Alinghi set December 15 as the deadline for teams to register for the competition and since meetings, on October 30 and November 11, discussions between the teams have advanced significantly.

But there remains one unresolved issue: the fate of the American Oracle-BMW Racing team, who have taken their argument that the new race format favours Alinghi to the Court of Appeal in New York.

Their case is to be heard on February 10 next year.

Organisers are attempting to reach agreement over measures which would enable the race to go ahead with reduced costs that would help prolong the existence of the competition.

The solution being proposed is one which would see each team being allowed to race just one yacht which would be faster but cheaper than the AC90 class which competed in the 2007 competition.

"These boats could be between 80 and 85 feet long," Simmer said on the subject.

"We've made some real progress," he added during a press conference in Paris on Thursday.

"We agree on the essentials... What we want to do is make sure all the competitors are on a level footing, so before they register they have to accept the registration conditions. We still don't understand the actions of Oracle."

AFP

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