Team NZ members prepare to testify

By HELEN TUNNAH

Team New Zealand members will take time off to give evidence at this weekend's critical Arbitration Panel hearing into claims OneWorld used other syndicates' America's Cup design secrets.

Team Dennis Conner and Prada have called for OneWorld to be thrown out of the cup for "gross multiple" violations of the event's rules.

OneWorld has strenuously denied the claims, and chief executive Gary Wright has sworn an affidavit that the accusations made against the Seattle syndicate are false.

The allegations centre on the claims of a former OneWorld operations manager, New Zealander Sean Reeves, that the syndicate obtained and used vital design information from other syndicates, including Prada and Team New Zealand.

OneWorld admitted to the panel this year that it obtained some information, but said that it was never used and was not significant. The panel docked the team one competition point as a penalty.

An affidavit from Reeves will provide much of the evidence at this weekend's hearing, although it is not known what material or witnesses syndicates will offer to support his claims. OneWorld said yesterday that they were happy to let him testify and be available for cross-examination.

The Reeves affidavit was first obtained by Team New Zealand, who tried unsuccessfully to have it introduced as evidence at the previous panel hearing.

Team New Zealand members swore affidavits for that hearing, but are not providing new written evidence this week.

Instead they have told the five-member panel that key designers, senior management and others are available to be questioned or give evidence if required.

They will also supply any design information which might be needed by technical director Ken McAlpine. He may be asked to compare lines drawings for Team New Zealand's winning boat from the last cup, NZL60, and OneWorld's early design plans for this campaign.

Wright has said OneWorld has waged an honourable campaign.

He denies claims in Reeves' affidavit that OneWorld members were aware other syndicates' design secrets were held and used.

He said the syndicate's billionaire backer, Craig McCaw, who will provide written evidence to the hearing, had always made it clear he was interested "not just in winning ... but in making a clear statement about the condition of the world's oceans and the importance of competing on an ethical basis".

OneWorld will offer evidence from ex-Team New Zealand crew it hired after the last cup, including principal designer Laurie Davidson.

nzherald.co.nz/americascup

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