By HELEN TUNNAH
Team New Zealand sailors will be included in drug-testing being introduced to the America's Cup for the first time.
Testing for banned substances, including performance-enhancing drugs and recreational drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines, has started in the challenger series.
The testing will be extended to include out-of-competition checks
on Team NZ, who do not defend the America's Cup until mid-February.
The Herald reported last month that the Sports Drug Agency was eager to introduce drug testing to the America's Cup, which has never been subject to testing.
It said it was important that such a high-profile event was demonstrated to be "clean."
If a person tests postive, he will be thrown out of the regatta.
Delays in getting full agreement on a programme and the need to have International Sailing Federation approval meant that testing could not start with out-of-competition checks for the challengers, who began racing for the Louis Vuitton Cup on October 1.
Agency executive director Graeme Steel said a programme had been finalised, and testing had started during the challenger semifinals.
He would not reveal details of the testing. "Normally, if we're testing on a race, we'll ask for a couple off each boat, the same as with rugby sides. We'll turn up from time to time, and we can ask for up to four people."
Steel said out-of-competition testing was included in the programme so crew from Team NZ could also be asked to provide samples over the coming weeks.
Three of the original nine challenging syndicates are left in the contest - Alinghi, who on Monday qualified for next month's challenger finals, and OneWorld Challenge and Oracle BMW Racing, who will race in the semifinal repechage starting on Friday.
Steel said the challenging syndicates technically remained "in competition" until the end of the regatta, and while the agency could test between races, that was less likely to happen.
It was simpler to organise testing during racing when officials knew where all the sailors were.
Many of the sailors competing in the cup have raced at Olympic or world championship level and are used to being tested for banned substances.
nzherald.co.nz/americascup
Racing schedule, results and standings
