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ASSOCIATED PRESS
An Oracle Team USA boat skippered by Jimmy Spithill trains for the America's Cup sailing event Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2013, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)
The America’s Cup Measurement Committee has admitted it made a mistake and that one of the three prototype boats owned by defending champion Oracle Team USA was not illegally modified during warm-up regattas last year.
It’s not known how the admission might sway an international jury’s investigation into who modified the boats.
But Oracle Team USA CEO Russell Coutts tells The Associated Press that the admission should clarify that it was not a team-wide issue.
The two remaining challengers, Emirates Team New Zealand and Italy’s Luna Rossa, have both accused Oracle Team USA of cheating.
Although the boats competed in warm-up regattas, the jury could punish Oracle Team USA with sanctions that could include a fine, forfeiture of races in the best-of-17 America’s Cup match or disqualification.
