America's Cup holders Alinghi took to the water in catamarans here in preparation for a possible duel using multi-hulls to defend their title as favoured by US challenger Oracle.

"We are preparing for all scenarios," said Brad Butterworth, the captain of the Swiss team. "We have a busy summer sailing schedule lined up."

Alinghi said 15 members of the team practiced in Extreme40 catamarans on Saturday, just seven months after it won a second consecutive America's Cup.

"This is the first in a series of training sessions that herald the beginning of the summer sailing season and kick off team preparations for an America's Cup" either in a single hull yacht in 2011 or in a catamaran, the team said in a statement.

Oracle are seeking a catamaran duel with Alinghi, whereas Alinghi are angling for a conventional regatta.

The format of the 33rd America's Cup challenge is subject to an imminent ruling by a New York court with the catamaran option regarded as the most likely outcome to the protracted legal battle between Alinghi and Oracle.

The next America's Cup was originally scheduled for 2009 in Valencia, but was indefinitely postponed because of the legal dispute.

The legal wrangling follows the hugely successful staging of the 32nd edition won by Alinghi, which is backed by Swiss billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli, against Team New Zealand in the Valencia in July.

Reuters