Yachting: Black boats' shortcut raises barely a ripple

By Suzanne McFadden

Team New Zealand sailed through the America's Cup challengers' course again yesterday, but no one raised an eyebrow.

The black boats sparked controversy when they cruised home through the course during racing on Saturday, and spectator control and police rushed alongside.

It turned out Team New Zealand had spoken with race officer Vince Cooke, who gave his consent, but the other officials on the racecourse had not been told.

On their way to their own racing yesterday, the defenders asked for - and were granted - permission to sail across the course, as the challengers waited for the wind to fill in before they could race.

Everyone was informed of the shortcut.

Auckland Harbourmaster James McPetrie said he will speak with Team New Zealand today to set a protocol for the defenders to sail on the course.

"We're quite relaxed about it," he said, "but we have regulations out there for everyone's safety."