After the April 1 unveiling day, no teams are allowed to shroud their keels any more.

Considering this rule, the America’s Cup International Jury has supported BMW Oracle Racing in its request to clarify Alinghi’s use of an advertising panel as a shroud to conceal its keel.

"We were aware that a number of teams were concerned about the way Alinghi was partly concealing its keel with a panel on the front of the cradle," said BMW Oracle Racing business director, Russell Green.

"We felt this issue should be clarified as soon as possible for the benefit of all the competitors, so we asked the International Jury for an interpretation."

In response, Alinghi said the sponsor panel did not conceal or veil the yachts in a secret manner and that any competitor could observe or photograph an Alinghi yacht when it was being launched or recovered.