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Team NZ and BMW Oracle have faith
in the measurers to put pressure on anyone looking
to get away with an illegal swinging keel.
One of the America's Cup teams have asked the measurer
questions in relation to reducing the deflection
of the keel.
Devices that move the keel are not permitted, but
it is understood a number of teams have been looking
at a way of linking the fin to the rig so that when
the boat heels over, the pressure comes on the fin
via the rig, which may reduce the deflection on
the keel. That could be legal.
Emirates Team New Zealand managing director Grant
Dalton said they were aware of it and had looked
at the rules.
"Maybe there is a way that it can be done - it is
not obvious to us, but I know the measurer Ken [McAlpine]
will be looking at that pretty hard and we have
faith in his ability to spot anyone that is trying
one on," Dalton said.
"Our reading of the rule is that it is quite clear
it is illegal. The rule is quite specific about
trying to move ballast and using a device to produce
a mechanism of moving ballast other than the ability
of the water".
"We have got absolute faith in the measurers to
police and question anybody that is obviously trying
to do it."
Those sentiments were echoed by Chris Dickson's
BMW Oracle Racing.
"This type of keel is illegal under the rules and
we have not developed such a keel" said the
Team in a short statement. "We have every confidence
in the measurers ensuring all competitors will use
only legal equipment. We are sure the measurers
are already on top of this situation."
Defenders Alinghi, thought to be one of the teams
trialling the concept, would not comment but designer
Rolf Vrolijk told the German press: "We are happy
if dock talk continues in this direction. This will
be a distraction for all."
Dalton acknowledged it could be a bluff.
"I know all of that is supposedly part of the America's
Cup game but I think this team is a little more
resilient to double bluffs and all those things
to not throw it off its stride."
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