Team New Zealand two races closer to the America's Cup

Oracle Team USA have been docked two points and had three crew members banned in the most severe penalties in the America's Cup 162-year history. An international jury found them guilty of illegally modifying catamarans and also fined them US$250,000. The unauthorised modifications were of 45-foot wing-powered catamarans that were prototypes for the 72-footers being sailed in the America's Cup regatta. The jury found that weight had been added and the main king post had been extended in length without the consent of the measurement committee. Emirates Team New Zealand face defending champions Oracle in the best-of-17 series which starts on Saturday, and following the penalties, Oracle will now need 11 victories to win the series while New Zealand require only nine. This is not only good news for the people of New Zealand, not all of whom even care about sailing, but also for sport in general because more cheats have finally experienced their well-deserved fall from grace. We do not need this unfair play in sailing, or in any sport for that matter. In other sporting news, the Rio anti-doping laboratory which was to be used for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympics in Brazil has had its right to test samples revoked. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) suspended the laboratory for a second time in August and will revoke its status on 25 September for failing to meet international standards. The lab can appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport within 21 days, and can re-apply for accreditation and seek "fast track" process from WADA.