SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the head of America’s Cup challenger Emirates Team New Zealand has accused defending champion Oracle Team USA of cheating in the latest controversy in sailing’s premier regatta.
Emirates Team New Zealand managing director Grant Dalton tells the newspaper: “You can’t actually get to any other point than the fact they were cheating. I think it’s really serious.”
Oracle Racing last week admitted it modified its boats without permission of the Measurement Committee during four regattas in the America’s Cup World Series, a warm-up to this year’s regatta.
The international jury is investigating and could punish Oracle with a fine, forfeiture of races or disqualification from the America’s Cup.
