America's Cup: Grant Dalton hits back at Jimmy Spithill over tech complaint

Tuesday, 27 August 2024

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Grant Dalton has offered a simple solution for Jimmy Spithill, after the Australian blamed Team New Zealand for the technical issues that had affected some AC75s in their first hit-out in Barcelona.

“Beat us and then you can do it yourself,” Dalton said.

Spithill, Luna Rossa’s helmsman, was skippering the Italian boat when a power failure forced them to retire during their opening race against Team New Zealand on day one of the America’s Cup preliminary regatta.

Spithill said some of the advanced technologies in the new class of AC75s were causing problems.

“There have definitely been a lot of bugs, with what the Kiwis have supplied everyone, and it’s the first time it’s all being used,” Spithill told Stuff.

Asked if the technical faults were impacting racing, Spithill grinned widely and said to ask Dalton, the chief executive for Team NZ and the America’s Cup.

“It’s probably a good question. Ask him,” he added, laughing.

So we did.