Alinghi blasts BMW Oracle in mock Christmas card

GENEVA: A day after having the legality of its sails questioned by US challenger BMW Oracle Racing, America's Cup champion Alinghi defended itself in a bitterly worded Christmas card addressed to its rival.

"BMW Oracle's accusations regarding the defending yacht are simply false," the Swiss club said in a statement on Wednesday.

BMW Oracle claims Alinghi is planning to use sails built in Nevada when the America's Cup rivals meet in February and says that is a violation of the 19th century document governing sailing's marquee event. It could lead to another legal tussle after two years of disputes over rules, dates and ports.