Talks between America’s Cup teams break down again as BMW Oracle takes to water in Spain

America’s Cup negotiations break down again

VALENCIA, Spain — America’s Cup Challenger BMW Oracle began test sailing its giant trimaran in Spanish waters for the first time on Tuesday.

But the chances of its match race against cup holder Alinghi starting on time seems remote as negotiations between the two teams broke down again.

The Golden Gate Yacht Club where BMW Oracle team is based says Alinghi turned down another offer Sunday to settle a dispute over the Swiss team’s sails. The dispute threatens to delay the Feb. 8 start date.

Alinghi already refused to sign an agreement following talks in Singapore witnessed by the International Sailing Federation.

Golden Gate Yacht Club spokesman Tom Ehman said Tuesday that Alinghi “again turned their backs on the agreement and the cup’s pre-eminent principle — mutual consent.”

The American team has asked the New York Supreme Court to rule on Alinghi’s sails, which it says break match rules by being constructed outside the Swiss team’s home country.

Meanwhile, conditions were ideal for a first-test sail with a small chop on the otherwise flat water.

“Everyone was very excited to get out on the water,” the team’s chief executive Russell Coutts said. “It’s been quite a process to get here, get set up and be ready to sail.”