America's Cup team cites security fears over site

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The next edition of the America's Cup should not be held in Ras al-Khaimah, one of the United Arab Emirates, because of security risk to Americans, the U.S. team said in court papers filed on Friday.

The California-based BMW Oracle, backed by software executive Larry Ellison, said the February 2010 race should instead be held in Valencia, Spain.

Defending champion Alinghi, which chose the venue and is backed by billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli, dismissed the claim as a ploy to move the race to a venue preferred by Ellison.

The disagreement is the latest twist in a two-year legal battle over the terms of the yachting's most prestigious race.

In court papers filed in New York State Supreme Court, BMW Oracle cited a U.S. State Department advisory that urges Americans to "exercise a high level of security awareness" because "al Qaeda and affiliated organizations continue to plan attacks against Western targets."

"As a venue for the America's Cup, Ras al-Khaimah ... presents grave safety concerns for the team members of an American challenger, named 'USA,' that flies an American flag on a 300-foot (91-meter) mast," BMW Oracle said.

BMW Oracle said Alinghi underestimated staging the 33rd edition of yachting's most prestigious race in Ras al-Khaimah and the location should have been mutually acceptable.

One of seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates, Ras al-Khaimah is separated from Iran by the Gulf. It is less developed than UAE capital Abu Dhabi and tourism hub Dubai.

Alinghi skipper Brad Butterworth said in a statement BMV Oracle had already sent equipment and personnel to the site, proving the U.S. team did not really consider it unsafe.

(Editing by Daniel Trotta and Alan Elsner)