Protests decide VX40 Grand Prix Series

by Ben Faber on 15 Jun 2006 An incredible day of sailing and protest hearings saw the overall VX40 series title swing back and forth between the all-British boat Basilica and the American entry Tommy Hilfiger several times, with the Americans finally emerging as the series winners.

Three protest hearings and three races eventually saw Motorola-CHR win the Rotterdam regatta by a solitary point from Hilfiger in second and Basilica a further point behind in third. The conclusion of this final VX40 regatta means that Hilfiger wins the overall series by four points from Basilica in second.

Despite having finished eight points behind Hilfiger after yesterday’s races, Basilica in fact began this afternoon’s racing in Rotterdam four points ahead of the Americans, following a protest hearing in the morning between Motorola-CHR and Hilfiger which saw the Americans disqualified from Tuesday’s final race.

With Basilica two points behind Hilfiger on the overall series leader board, the Brits knew that they would take the series title if they won the Grand Prix in Rotterdam. In gusty conditions, Basilica seemed to have exactly that, registering a first, a third and a second place to finish on 118 points overall, four ahead of their American rivals, to clinch the Grand Prix victory and the overall title.

More drama, however, was to follow as first Hilfiger protested a move by Basilica in the penultimate race, and then Basilica in turn protested Hilfiger in the same race for touching a mark. The results of the two hearings were to decide the fate of both the Grand Prix and overall series titles.

After over two hours of deliberating, by 9pm both protest hearings had been heard by the panel of three, who ruled in favour of Hilfiger’s protest, disqualifying Basilica from the second race, while rejecting the British team’s counter protest.

Consequently Basilica lost its six points from race two, handing the Grand Prix victory to Motorola with Hilfiger in second, and giving the Americans the series title by four points.

Team Basilica skipper James Grant was understandably disappointed having come so close but was full of praise for the efforts of his crew:

'We are obviously bitterly disappointed with today’s outcome. We out-sailed Hilfiger today and feel that we won this regatta on the water with some great racing. To have it subsequently taken away from us in two very marginal protest hearings is unbelievably hard to take, and is a clear indication that there is a clear need for on-water judging in this kind of close-quarter racing.

Having said that, the VX40 series has been a fantastic event and overall we should be delighted with our performance. We have come a long way as a team since the first race in Spain , and to have pushed such a world-class sailor as Randy Smythe (Hilfiger skipper) all the way is testament to our own sailing ability. We look forward to locking horns with Randy and the Americans again soon and we hope to go one better next time.'

Volvo Extreme 40 Grand Prix Series Final Points Standings:
1. Tom my Hilfiger – 40 points
2. Basilica – 36 points
3. Motorola-CHR – 36 points
4. Holmatro – 29 points
5. Volvo Ocean Race – 24 points

Rotterdam Grand Prix Final Points Standings:
1. Motorola – 114 points
2. Tommy Hilfiger – 113 points
3. Basilica – 112 points
4. Holmatro – 102 points
5. Volvo Ocean Race – 72 points