America's Cup: Is Oracle building a second boat with help from Dean Barker?

Oracle Team USA members carry a spare bow over to Team Japan. Photo / Facebook - ETNZ

Are Oracle Team USA building a second boat ahead of their America's Cup clash against Team New Zealand?

Oracle were snapped by an Emirates Team New Zealand spy carrying a section of their bows across to Dean Barker's Team Japan compound next door.

Under the Protocol, a small percentage of the hull has to be constructed in the country of origin of the syndicate.

Today's photos suggest Oracle will be using the rest of the Team Japan platform to build a second boat.

Under the rules Oracle are allowed to build two boats, but up until now there has been no sign of a second boat.

They have instead effectively been running a two-boat testing programme through their close working relationship with Team Japan.

It's unclear if this will serve as a back-up boat if USA-17 sustains damage during the Cup match, or if it will be a move-on from their first boat.

Equally, it could be Oracle ramping up the mind games ahead of this weekend's opening races by throwing out a red herring.