`Cool it' warning after cup ramming claim

By John Andrews and Naomi Larkin

Police have warned America's Cup yachties to cool it after a claim that a Team New Zealand support boat deliberately rammed a challenger craft.

A Nippon Challenge sailor, Chris Main, said yesterday he feared for his safety when the bow of the Black Magic chase boat came within 10cm of his head as it nosed over the side of his 8m inflatable.

Main, a 24-year-old Aucklander, said the incident - which follows jibes about his sailing for the Japanese - was particularly scary because he was out on the Hauraki Gulf alone "in the middle of nowhere between Rangitoto and Whangaparaoa Peninsula."

The driver of the bigger Team New Zealand inflatable powered it several times at right angles into his craft.

"It was just unbelievable. He was just driving like a lunatic."

The incident happened last week. Sergeant Lloyd McIntosh, head of the police maritime unit, said after it was reported: "We will not tolerate that sort of thing."

Team New Zealand spokesman Alan Sefton said last night that the chase-boat crew must have believed Main was not observing protocol. There were strict anti-espionage rules in the cup to stop syndicates spying.

"Team New Zealand doesn't go out breaching the anti-reconnaissance rules - clearly somebody is," he said.

Nippon Challenge said Main had been abiding by the protocols, which stipulated that craft should not venture within 200m of competitors' yachts.

Steve Connett, towboat captain for the Young America syndicate, said their 13m tender had been "bumped" by a Team New Zealand support vessel about two weeks ago. He feared people could get hurt.

"It is an intimidation thing and a violation of marine safety."