Team New Zealand are bemused by America's Cup regatta director Iain Murray's threats to scuttle the event unless his safety recommendations are upheld by the international jury.
A "very upset" Murray called a briefing in San Francisco this morning to explain the more contentious points of his 37 safety recommendations introduced in the wake of the death of Artemis sailor Andrew Simpson, in an effort to clear up what he regards as "misinformation" coming from some of the teams.
Emirates Team New Zealand and Italian team Luna Rossa have each lodged protests with the international jury over the Murray's recommendation regarding rudder elevators. The five-member jury is scheduled to meet on Tuesday to hear the protest.
In the meantime the debate has descended into a bitter war of words, with Luna Rossa skipper Max Sirena describing the behaviour of Oracle and Artemis as "shameful" and exploitative. The Italian also intimated his team will consider boycotting the event if the jury does not rule in their favour.
However, Murray said if the jury does not uphold his recommendations as they now sit, there will be no event at all.