AUCKLAND, New Zealand -- The Alinghi syndicate of Switzerland will appeal a $10,000 fine handed down for breaking America's Cup communication rules.

Alinghi was penalized Saturday for failing to turn on on-board microphones for more than six minutes after the start of a race against Italian challenger Mascalzone Latino.

America's Cup rules require teams to turn on microphones, which capture on-board noises and conversation for television coverage, for several minutes prior to a start and throughout each race.

Skipper Russell Coutts insisted Sunday that the microphones had been switched on and that their malfunction was due to a technical fault.