NEW YORK — Team New Zealand filed two lawsuits against America's Cup champion Alinghi of Switzerland today, seeking compensation for delaying the next regatta.

The Kiwi syndicate filed suit in the New York State Supreme Court under a breach of contract argument since the team signed up for the 33rd edition with the promise that it would be raced in Valencia, Spain, in July 2009.

The other suit was filed in federal court under U.S. antitrust legislation, stating that Alinghi abused its power "to stifle competition" by accepting a Spanish yacht club's invalid challenge to "gain an unfair competitive advantage."

Alinghi has already lost one court case, to San Francisco's Golden Gate Yacht Club. A New York State Supreme Court judge ruled in November that the GGYC, which backs BMW Oracle Racing, is the Challenger of Record, meaning it can help negotiate the rules for the next regatta with Alinghi.

Alinghi has appealed, but faces the prospect of a one-on-one series against BMW Oracle Racing later this year for the oldest trophy in international sports.

A spokeswoman for Alinghi said the syndicate wouldn't comment until it has seen the new lawsuits.

Alinghi, backed by Swiss billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli, beat Team New Zealand 5-2 in the America's Cup match last year.

Team New Zealand won the America's Cup in 1995 by sweeping Dennis Conner in five races off San Diego, then became the first country other than the United States to successfully defend it by sweeping an Italian syndicate off Auckland, New Zealand, in 2000.

Three years later, after a handful of top Kiwi sailors jumped ship for lucrative contracts with Alinghi, the Swiss syndicate routed Team New Zealand to become the first European-backed boat to win the competition.