America's Cup holders Oracle are playing down Emirates Team New Zealand's radical pedal powered catamaran.
Team New Zealand has unveiled it's new catamaran fitted with four cycle pedestals on each hull for their grinders rather than the conventional arm-driven grinders.
However Oracle skipper Jimmy Spithill has told Bermuda's Royal Gazette, the cycle pedestals will put Emirates Team New Zealand at a disadvantage more than anything else.
Team New Zealand's pedal powered catamaran. Photo: Photosport
"We looked at it hard, as I know all the teams did, and it's a compromise," he said. "Nothing is straightforward.
"You can get more power on the pedal, but there's other compromises. You take windage and it's a little harder getting on and off the pedals, so personally I don't think that decision will be the deciding factor.
"We looked at it hard to see how it works out and they are the only team to do it so far from what we've seen. We haven't seen Artemis's boat yet, but I don't think they would have done it.
"Whether it will be a good decision only time will tell and really until we see them sailing up here in the Great Sound we won't really have any idea of where they're at."
Skipper Jimmy Spithill (right) in front of the Americas Cup. BMW Oracle Team USA unveiling ceremony, Bermuda. Photo: Photosport
Oracle has unveiled their boat dubbed "No 17", which is the culmination of 80,000-plus hours of work and will launch it next week.
