A New York court has backed the staging of the next America's Cup in the Spanish port of Valencia in February, but doubt still remains over the venue for the duel between defender Alinghi and US challenger Oracle.
The New York Supreme Court reached its decision after experts advised that the event can be "safely managed" at the site in mid-winter, when weather conditions can be unpredictable.
Both Alinghi and Oracle have stated they are ready to hold their best-of-three multihull showdown in February in Valencia, where the Swiss team won the last edition of yachting's most prestigious event in 2007.
However, it was still uncertain whether the 33rd America's Cup can go ahead there as planned, or will instead take place in the Gulf emirate of Ras al-Khaimah.
Ras al-Khaimah was Alinghi's original choice for the event, but the New York court declared the venue invalid, a decision which Alinghi has appealed.
