By JULIE ASH
Russell Coutts' Alinghi and Chris Dickson's Oracle BMW Racing have stuck with the tried and true for the final of the challenger series.
The two syndicates had until 1.05pm yesterday to decide which yacht they would race in the best-of-nine Louis Vuitton Cup series starting on Saturday.
Not surprisingly, Alinghi have chosen to stay with SUI64 and Oracle USA76 - the yachts they have used throughout the regatta.
They must now use those yachts as they bid to advance into the America's Cup match against Team New Zealand - although the syndicates are free to make modifications to the boats between the end of the challenger final and the start of the cup race.
With SUI64 Alinghi have won 20 races and lost just two, which does not include the two races forfeited by Prada.
Oracle's USA76 has won 20 races and lost eight.
Alinghi design co-ordinator Grant Simmer said it was tough deciding between the two.
"We have developed SUI75 and SUI64 together, but the reason we are using SUI64 in the final is that ... it is moded slightly differently," he said.
"We expect a range of conditions in the finals and we believe it is the best boat for us to perform throughout that wind range.
"It's sad to see such a fast boat as SUI75, that we have put so much effort into, won't be used in an official race."
Today the skirts will come off SUI64 and USA76 along with Team New Zealand's two black boats, NZL81 and NZL82, in an unveiling ceremony.
Team New Zealand had the option of revealing one or both of their boats but have chosen to unveil both.
That allows the defenders to use either of their boats in the cup match. If they had unveiled just one boat then they would have been stuck with it for the match.
Alinghi are the first to unveil their boat at 9am, Oracle follow at 11am and Team New Zealand at 12.30pm.
The Alinghi base is open to the public as usual while the Oracle base will be open from 11.30am to 12.30pm.
The Team New Zealand base will open to the public from 1pm until around 3pm.
nzherald.co.nz/americascup
Racing schedule, results and standings
Challengers stick with tried, true
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