Yachting: Team NZ man speaks out about Oracle boat

Roger Badham.

A long-serving member of Team New Zealand has broken ranks to become the first to question publicly the legality of Oracle Team USA's boat during the last America's Cup.

Nearly a year after Oracle's stunning victory, Kiwis are still flummoxed by how Emirates Team NZ lost the regatta after being 8-1 up.

At the time, there were rumours Oracle had employed an elaborate electronic stabilising device, but Team NZ kept quiet on the speculation.

But in an interview with Australian yachting e-magazine Afloat.com.au, Team NZ weather guru Roger "Clouds" Badham said he believed Oracle used a computer-based stabilising system that pushed the boundaries of the class rules.

"They were just so far outside the class rules that no one had ever considered them," he said. "The system was so sophisticated and so elaborate that the measurers just did not fully understand it."

Badham said Oracle developed a computer-based hydraulically powered automatic pilot system to help keep the boat in stable flight while gybing.

Once they had implemented it to its full capacity, Team NZ didn't stand a chance.

"If you look at the television footage of Dean Barker driving Team New Zealand you can see him with both hands on the steering wheel going backwards and forwards struggling to keep the boat in the groove.

"Look at the footage of [Oracle skipper] Jimmy Spithill driving his machine and he has got his fingers on the helm."

Team NZ's protest, on the eve of the regatta, was dismissed on the grounds of timing.

An Oracle spokesman said last night: "Unfortunately the article does not even come close to reflecting the reality and makes many inaccurate claims which are a bit ridiculous."

It is understood many of the concerns Badham raised with the Australian magazine were raised during Team NZ's extensive review into their failed campaign.

Team NZ director Sir Stephen Tindall hinted earlier this year that part of the review would be made public. But it appears the Kiwi team have backed away from releasing the review as much of the report contains sensitive information that would assist their rivals.