Luna Rossa and Emirates Team New Zealand have protested changes to the design rule for AC72 catamarans. The rule says it can only be changed with unanimous approval of all America’s Cup competitors, but Regatta Director Iain Murray claims he can change the rule and that his changes are for safety. Luna Rossa and ETNZ say the changes are not needed for safety and that they help the performance of Oracle Team USA.
Luna Rossa will not race until the International Jury makes its decision on the protest.
Ruddergate evidence – Oracle Team USA’s rudder elevators
Every America’s Cup seems to have its controversy and this time we have “ruddergate.”
Like “keelgate” in 1983, the dispute is about underwater wings, this time on the rudders. Murray claims that the design rule changes are for safety and that they are part of the Coast Guard permit for the regatta. ETNZ and Luna Rossa both say the rudder changes are for performance and they help Oracle Team USA. They also claim that Murray overstepped his authority and that design rule changes can only be made with unanimous agreement from the competitors.
Does Oracle need the wider rudders to be able to foil like this…
… instead of like this.
Oracle Team USA has put out a video to tell their side of the story.