If you’ve been following the news from The America’s Cup, you know that there’s been some contention about where the next one will be held. The dispute has involved a yachting club that hopes to see the United Arab Emirates as the next venue for the famous yacht race. The matter has been tied up in court, pitting the Golden Gate Yacht Club against the Societe Nautique de Geneve. SNG wanted the America’s Cup to be held in Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE, but the appeals court in New York has once again ruled that the venue does not comply with the Deed of Gift, the governing document for the race.

According to the Deed of Gift, America’s Cup races have to take place between May 1 and November 1 in the Northern Hemisphere, and in the Southern Hemisphere the rest of the year. The SNG petitioned to have the race held at Ras Al Khaimah, which is in the Northern Hemisphere, in February.

Another issue was addressed by the court, as well. SNG attempted to have the yacht rudders included in the measurement calculation for the yachts in the race, which would have made it extremely difficult for the BMW Oracle team to get their boat in under the measurement regulations. The judges of the appeals court upheld the lower court ruling that the rudders may not be included when measuring length.

Each side has attempted to put their own spin on the ruling, of course. Golden Gate Yacht Club spokesman Tom Ehman applauded the certainty that the ruling brings, and suggested that the ruling is a “big stride forward” that will help the race to be conducted quickly and with fair rules.

The SNG, of course, disagrees. The accuse BMW Oracle of attempting to win the America’s cup in the courts rather than on the water. They note that, for the first time in the history of the cup, the defender has not been allowed to select the venue for the next race.

The 33^rd America’s cup will be held in Valencia, Spain. While there are some outstanding issues between the governing body and the SNG, it is still very likely that the contest will still be held in that city in February of 2010. If you’re going to attend this one, get your boat out of dock, make sure your boat insurance is paid up and get ready to set sail for Valencia.

Photo via dragonseye