Both sides agreed to head back to the bargaining table to prepare their duel in multihulls in February 2010 that is to settle the 33rd edition of the Cup, the oldest trophy in international sports following the ruling by Judge Shirley Kornreich of the Supreme Court of New York State.

Alinghi had asked the court to disqualify Oracle if the US syndicate did not provide a description the trimaran it has built for their duel.

For its part Oracle had accused Alinghi of wanting to unilaterally change the rules of the duel with the alleged complicity of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF).

The two syndicates expressed satisfaction on Tuesday the results of the hearing in New York.

Oracle noted that the judge had asked to see the agreement signed between Alinghi and the ISAF, while reserving any decision on whether an engine and moveable ballast can be used.

On the other side Alinghi was pleased that the judge did not accept the accusations against it by Oracle that it was in contempt of court.

The two sides are expected to meet in a duel in multihulls - Alinghi in a catamaran while Oracle will use a trimaran - in February 2010 at a site shich the Alinghi, as the defending champion, must announce before August 8.

The catamaran launched by Alinghi began sail on Monday in Lake Geneva while Oracle has tested its trimaran off the coast of San Diego in California.

The two sides have been locked in a legal battle over the rules of the America's Cup, the oldest trophy in international sports, since Alinghi won the 32nd edition in 2007 in Valencia in eastern Spain.