KEY POINTS:
America's Cup defenders Alinghi have been dealt a blow before the match with the measurer ruling against the way they use their topmast backstay.
Alinghi had asked the measurement committee a series of questions relating to use of backstays or cables, which support the mast. On receiving the interpretations, Alinghi felt that the measurement committee had exceeded its jurisdiction and in its interpreting had created a new rule, and protested to the America's Cup jury.
The jury decided 3 votes to 2 that the measurement committee had exceeded its jurisdiction and upheld Alinghi's application.
The measurement committee then had to give another interpretation. With slightly different wording they came back with the same ruling they made in the first instance which does not allow the Swiss to use their mast support system in the way they want.
The interpretation will be a blow for the Swiss. It means they have to change the way they sail the boat.
Alinghi have a slightly different set-up on their boat. They have a separate topmast backstay, which is a cable that runs from the top of the mast to the deck, plus the normal running backstay and checkstay which are cables attached to the lower mast. The set-up aims to reduce windage.
The backstays are only used downwind in moderate to heavy winds. Teams have to decide whether they are going to use them before the race. If not they have to be stored, which is done by attaching them to the mast. Because their topmast backstay is independent, Alinghi were perhaps looking to use it when they chose. It is not expected to be that easy for them to revert back to the traditional set-up Team New Zealand have.
By leaving their inquires to the measurer so late, it would appear Alinghi were trying to keep their set- up a secret. They must have thought they were within the rules. There is nothing to say Alinghi will not protest the decision again if it is important enough to them.
