Ameica's Cup 2000 Release
The International Jury convened at 19:00 hours on Tuesday to rule on whether a communications system on board Team New
Zealand is in full compliance with America’s Cup Match Condition 19.1.
Team New Zealand has rigged up an earpiece communication system on NZL-60 that allows crew on the front of the boat to
hear instructions and communications from the afterguard. The system is designed to counteract noise from helicopters
hovering above the race course.
Match Condition 19.1 says that boats cannot have a communication system that is capable of receiving signals from off
the boat - external communications. Team New Zealand says its system is a closed circuit that doesn’t contravene the
rule.
The International Jury has inspected the system and issued an interim decision that states that the equipment complies
with the rules. Team New Zealand has requested a formal interpretation from the Jury, which precipitated the scheduled
meeting tonight.
The International Jury had stated that regardless of the outcome of the hearing tonight, the results from Race One on
Sunday, and Race Two today, will stand.
At the hearing, Prada presented a submission that asked the Jury to rule the system illegal, and stop Team New Zealand
from using it in future races. The submission notes that the system uses wireless ear receivers that by definition must
be capable of receiving outside broadcasts. Prada did not claim that the Kiwis were in fact receiving outside
assistance, but noted that all other teams have used a more restrictive 'hard-wired' system that is less convenient than
the New Zealand one. The Italians say they are at a disadvantage because they have complied to the letter of the rule,
while Team New Zealand has a comparative advantage.
"The Challenger (Prada) emphasises that Match Condition 19.1 is drawn specifically to avoid even the risk of a racing
yacht's crew having access by such means to external communications. It is the potentiality, not the actuality, to which
the wording of the rule is clearly directed...it is (our) submission that the Jury should at least direct the Defender
to discontinue use of the system."
The International Jury will rule on Wednesday morning.
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Before Race Two, both the Prada Challenge, and Team New Zealand, gave Race Director Harold Bennett permission to wait
until 1600 hours before calling off racing for the day.
On Race Day One, Bennett was forced by the Match Conditions to abandon racing for the day at 1500 hours due to light
winds. But later in the afternoon, the wind picked up, and a good breeze settled over the Hauraki Gulf late in the
afternoon. Bennett said he wasn't permitted to wait unless both the Challenger and the Defender agreed. After Race One
was eventually sailed a day later, that permission was extended for the rest of the America's Cup Match.
- Peter Rusch