Seattle's OneWorld Challenge has escaped disqualification but will be docked a point in each of the remaining stages of the America's Cup challenger rounds.

The ruling, made by the America's Cup arbitration panel on Monday, came after the team admitted to breaches of the regatta's protocol.

The panel also ordered them to pay $65,000 (�41,000) in costs.

The team could have been disqualified, according to America's Cup rules, but OneWorld spokesman Bob Ratliffe described the ruling as "a stunningly harsh indictment of honesty".

The panel was only aware of the protocol breach and existence of the computer and files because OneWorld had admitted it, Ratliffe said.

The team of mobile phone billionaire Craig McCaw and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen could have been disqualified.

They had admitted to holding secret design information of rival challenge syndicates.

The semi-finals were due to start Monday but were postponed because of high winds.

If OneWorld reaches the challenger series final or the America's Cup against defender Team New Zealand, it will be deducted a point in each of those rounds.

The 31st America's Cup match, between the leading challenger and Team New Zealand, starts on 15 February.

Switzerland's Alinghi and US Oracle will face each other in the best of seven races while Italy's Prada races OneWorld.

Although conditions were ideal for most sailing on the Hauraki Gulf on Monday, the average wind speed of around 39 kmh (21 knots) exceeded the 35kmh (19 knots) limit.

That limit is set in a bid to replicate average weather conditions in February when the America's Cup will take place.

Competitors will try again on Tuesday to get the semis underway.