San Francisco: Software mogul Larry Ellison's Oracle Team USA suffered a major setback in its effort to retain the America's Cup sailing trophy when an international jury on Tuesday docked the team two points and kicked three team members out of the event for adding illegal weight to Oracle boats.
The penalties, unprecedented in the history of the 162-year-old event, are a big boost for challenger Emirates Team New Zealand, which will face off against Oracle in the Cup finals beginning on Saturday.New Zealand demolished other would-be challengers in the qualifying races, and bookmakers have made it a slight favourite to take the trophy from Oracle.