Italy runs out of puff as clouds gather

ITALY bade arrivederci to an increasingly bitter America’s Cup in Auckland yesterday as holders Team New Zealand (TNZ) accused its challengers of cheating by copying a revolutionary boat design.

In a day to rival the most dramatic in the 152-year history of sport’s oldest trophy, with TNZ claiming other teams were copying its false-hull innovation, the Prada team’s challenge ran out of puff due to unfavourable weather conditions.

Three syndicates are left to compete for the Louis Vuitton Cup which gives the winner the right to take on TNZ for the America’s Cup in February.