Britannia’s frustrations with the umpires show no signs of easing, as they protested once again after a series of decisions that went against them and favored Team New Zealand. With the Brits now facing a daunting 4-0 deficit against the defending champions in the first-to-seven America’s Cup match in Barcelona, tensions are mounting.
After their near-miss on day two, which resulted in a costly penalty, day three of the competition kicked off with off-water drama. Three hours before the fourth race, representatives from Team New Zealand and Britannia engaged in a heated discussion with umpires near the entrance of the America’s Cup media center.
In an informal briefing, they were arguing over the merits of the penalty Britannia received for not keeping clear of Team NZ. The two boats protested as they were close enough for the foils to almost overlap.
Chief umpire Richard Slater, who missed the start of the regular media briefing for race days at 11am (local time), said the “frank” discussion finished with the umpires and the Brits “agreeing to disagree”.
There was no chance any decision could be reversed.
Team NZ’s representative at the table, legal advisor Russell Green, told Stuff the British team had a “vastly different view to us”.
“We were on a collision course,” Green said. “Our position, we just think they hesitated.”
Green said, had there been physical contact between the AC75s, and damage resulted, the consequences would have been significant.
“They would have been disqualified and then we probably would have had to have gone and asked for redress until we were able to fix it,” he said.
Green said if by avoiding contact, Team NZ had gone off the foils, Britannia would have accumulated penalties requiring them to stay behind the Kiwis until they were sailing.
Ian Williams and Giles Scott, coaches in Britannia’s sailing team, argued their case.
Stuff approached Scott after the meeting ended. He did not want to comment but sarcastically said it was “pretty good”.
The crews came face to face in the near-collision. It was Peter Burling and Andy Maloney on Team NZ’s starboard side and Dylan Fletcher and Leigh McMillan on Britannia’s port side.
Fletcher was steering the British boat and yelled “Jesus Christ” after seeing the bow of Team NZ come right across his eyeline. Burling was driving for the Kiwis.