America’s Cup: Luna Rossa challenge legality of new British sail system

Luna Rossa have challenged the legality of a new sail system INEOS Team UK have used to get some wind back into their America’s Cup campaign.

The British upset predictions on the opening day of the Prada Cup challenger series by comfortably beating both American Magic and Luna Rossa in Auckland on Friday.

Sir Ben Ainslie’s boat Britannia had a major overhaul after the disastrous world series regatta with modifications including a new mast, new sails, rudder and rudder elevator.

Italians Luna Rossa lodged a claim of non-compliance against the British on Friday night, unhappy with the outhaul system on the mainsail of INEOS Team UK.

READ MORE:
* America’s Cup: Luna Rossa push rules to protect their strength
* America’s Cup: INEOS Team UK stun rivals with two Prada Cup wins
* America’s Cup: British reveal huge overhaul but still wonder – is it enough?

The outhaul system helps shape the bottom part of the massive double-skinned soft wingsail.

The Italians believe by running a rope through the sail the British have broken the rules.

Ainslie’s boat Britannia passed inspection by the measurement committee before Friday’s racing.

In light of the claim of non-compliance, a decision needed to be made on the legality of the sail before Saturday’s racing and Stuff understands that has been made, though it hasn’t been released publicly.

Experienced INEOS Team UK grinder David “Freddie” Carr said he wasn’t surprised by the questioning of the system.

“It’s the America’s Cup, (I’m) not really surprised by it all, it’s all part and parcel of this special event,” he told Stuff.

“We’re lucky to have a really good legal team, rules team, and they take it on completely. It doesn’t involve the sailors at all – it’s part and parcel of this game.

“It got approved under measurement, I don’t know the ins and outs of where it stands this morning, but I know it hasn’t affected our points overnight, so we’re brushing it off, and we go again today.”

Asked if the system had made a difference in their two commanding wins on Friday, Carr didn’t hesitate: “Yeah, 100 per cent. It’s no secret that we’ve changed the mast and the mainsail since the Christmas regatta.”

He wouldn’t say if the same sail would be used on Saturday.

“We make that call quite late, sometimes on the water, but you can’t ignore the boat’s performance from yesterday, so we’ll keep that in mind and make a final decision half an hour before the start.”

Luna Rossa have been aggressive in the rules department in the buildup to the Prada Cup.

They lost a ruling against the use of backstays on their mast, being ordered to use them in this official racing after sailing without them during the world series regatta.

They also had an attempt to stifle American Magic’s use of a smaller high wind mainsail refuted after a compromise was made to accommodate the Prada Cup sponsorship sticker at the top of the sail.

Luna Rossa are also refusing to join the other three teams involved in Auckland racing, including defender Emirates Team New Zealand, over removing the 100kg of ballast the teams are carrying on the boat as replacement for the non-appearance of guest racers who have been ruled out because of safety concerns.

Luna Rossa are happy to run with the extra weight, believing they are ahead of their rivals in managing to foil efficiently in light airs despite that handicap.

PRADA CUP ROUND-ROBIN – SATURDAY SCHEDULE

3.15pm: Luna Rossa v American Magic

4.15pm: INEOS Team UK v American Magic

POINTS: INEOS Team UK 2, American Magic 0, Luna Rossa 0