Luna Rossa are claiming they have forced Team New Zealand onto the back foot over the twin-helmsman system.
Rumours that TNZ will copy the Luna Rossa method in the America's Cup match race have gathered pace after the challenger's skipper Max Sirena was interviewed on Sky Sport in Italy.
The America's Cup combatants have been training near each other on the Hauraki Gulf, in preparation for the delayed start to the best of 13 series next Wednesday.