Clip-on hull safe from protests - for the moment

By JULIE ASH

Team New Zealand's innovative clip-on remains unchallenged - for the time being at least.

Rival America's Cup syndicates Alinghi and Oracle had questioned whether the clip-on was within the rules and had until 3pm yesterday to lodge protests with the international jury or the America's Cup Arbitration Panel.

Chairman of the international jury and chief umpire Bryan Willis confirmed yesterday that no protests had been received.

Whoever wins the Louis Vuitton Cup and the right to challenge Team New Zealand for the America's Cup could still lodge a protest during an actual race if they are not convinced the appendage is operating legally.

Team New Zealand's two boats built to defend the America's Cup, NZL81 and NZL82, were unveiled this week and have caused a stir with their revolutionary clip-on appendages.

The appendage fits snugly against the hull but must not touch it apart from where it is attached. The device is aimed at increasing the boat's waterline length and therefore improving its speed.

But there has been some question about the legality of the clip-on.

"It will be the responsibility of Team New Zealand to prove it doesn't touch [the hull]," said Alinghi design co-ordinator Grant Simmer.

It is understood that Alinghi have raised questions with the international jury about the legality of a "clip-up" device while racing.

They have questioned whether the jury can rely on a "simple assurance" from a competitor that such an appendage does not touch the hull during a race.

Team New Zealand syndicate head Tom Schnackenberg is confident the clip-on, nicknamed the hula (hull appendage) complies with the rules. "The measurers laid down stipulations that the appendage not touch the hull while the boats are racing and we have made sure that they don't touch when the boats are sailing at any time.

"The requirements were quite stringent and we have had the gaps big enough and designed the boats full enough so they don't touch.

"It was our obligation to prove to the measurers that it doesn't touch the hull and we have proved that."

What changes the syndicates can still make

Changes to the hulls of the remaining America's Cup contenders are forbidden until the challengers' contest is decided but the designers will not be putting their feet up. Sweeping changes are allowed after that, and the boffins will be making feverish calculations.

Louis Vuitton Cup race period:

No changes allowed to hulls between now and the end of the challengers' competition, the final round of which begins on Saturday between Swiss syndicate Alinghi and United States rival Oracle and must finish by January 21.

This rule applies both to the two would-be challengers, and the Team New Zealand defender of the America's Cup, and lasts until either Alinghi or Oracle becomes the first to win five races.

Equipment may be replaced, to allow for breakages, provided the total weight of any repairs does not exceed 25kg.

Period between challengers' final and America's Cup contest:

Up to 50 per cent of each yacht's hull may be changed for the issue of new certificates up to February 11, when the two boats which will slug it out for the America's Cup are unveiled. Before that, both the final challenger and the defender are allowed even to replace an entire bow or stern for the showdown. Team New Zealand has until February 10 to decide which of its two boats will compete.

The America's Cup:

Racing begins on February 15 but no changes allowed to the hulls from February 11 until the cup is in the hands of the first team to win five races.

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