Team New Zealand says the other top teams sailing in the Louis Vuitton regatta in Auckland have given an assurance they won't be following the example of Alinghi which refused to race it yesterday.
The Swiss team said under the rules of the regatta it would have scored no points, but ran the risk of losing points if found at fault in any collision that might have occurred.
Team New Zealand has accused them of bad sportsmanship and not sailing with the same spirit as the eight other contenders who are covered by the same rules.
The New Zealand skipper Dean Barker says the move by the Swiss team has damaged what had been billed as the Friendly Regatta.
Team New Zealand will today meet fourth-placed Team Origin and tomorrow race Russell Coutts BMW Oracle, which lies second equal.
