America’s Cup hit by rules row

YACHTING’S America’s Cup was last night sailing into a new storm as holders Team New Zealand (TNZ) questioned the legal standing of a crucial tactic of the likely challenger.

TNZ say in a letter to organisers that they question the legality of the yet to be determined winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup, the America’s Cup challenge round, to change its boats for the race series for the America’s Cup in February.

They say the protocol which governs the America’s Cup requires a race between “the top yachts” rather than the top yachting clubs.