America's Cup: Cup boss Coutts on Oracle's pedal experiments

The time for big experiments is over. That's what Russell Coutts says in his latest video message from Bermuda. 13 days before the first starting gun for the qualifying round on 26 May and shortly before the teams' final free practice next week, the five-time Cup winner and boss of the event agency ACEA (America's Cup Event Authority) sees the six teams entering the home straight. "Many teams will now implement their final foils and control systems," says the 55-year-old, "and many will present new technologies in the form of their foils and rudders."

In his latest video message, Cup boss Russell Coutts talks about preparations for the America's Cup in Bermuda and Oracle's efforts to strengthen the team's grinding system

When asked about the rumours that "his" Oracle Team USA is working on imitating the New Zealanders' pedal-powered "grinding" system, Coutts replies tellingly: "I think there's still time for innovation. My understanding is that they are not changing their existing grinding system, but are testing how they can add something - at the back of the cockpit." So it will be interesting to see whether the American defenders will come up with a mixture of classic grinding and a pedal-powered system. The power from the arms and/or legs is needed to maintain the pressure of the hydraulic systems.

According to consistent reports, Oracle has now set up a pedalling station directly behind skipper Jimmy Spithill's position. Here, tactician Tom Slingsby is expected to provide additional pedal power to drive the systems, while the two regular grinder positions will remain. Blair Tuke, 49er Olympic champion with Peter Burling and wing trimmer on Emirates Team New Zealand, told the New Zealand Herald newspaper: "They've stationed one of the guys at the back to generate extra power when it's needed. That's certainly not the extent to which we run it. But they've obviously seen some advantages in what we do and tried to copy that a bit."

New Zealand's experienced coach Ray Davies said Oracle did not have much time to develop the new system for the early stages of the races, but could well get it right by the America's Cup match. "They have the means and opportunities to completely redesign their boat if they wanted to. And they have a bit more time than the other competitors. So who knows where they will end up."