25 May 2013

Team NZ welcomes safety changes

6:14 am on 25 May 2013

Team New Zealand has welcomed the recommended safety changes to race rules around the America's Cup, describing them as prudent and reasonable.

Simpson died when the AC72 catamaran of Swedish challenger Artemis Racing capsized and broke apart while practicing on San Francisco Bay earlier this month.

A structural review of America's Cup catamarans and a ten knot lower wind limit are among 37 recommendations made by regatta director Iain Murray, following the death of British sailor Andrew Simpson earlier this month.

Team New Zealand managing director Grant Dalton says he doesn't believe the changes will adversely affect the event.

Team New Zealand will resume sailing today after race organisers asked teams not train on the water this week while the review was underway, although this request was ignored by Italian syndicate Luna Rossa.