Please select your home edition
Edition
Doyle_SailWorld_728X90px_GP TOP

America's Cup- Coutts claims ISAF Jury on a crusade, backs Kiwi report

by Richard Gladwell Sail-World.com/nz on 12 Apr 2014
Four time winner of the America’s Cup winner and Olympic Gold medalist, Russell Coutts Gilles Martin-Raget / Oracle Racing
Oracle Team USA's Sir Russell Coutts has stepped into the fray over the AC45 boat tampering and the penalties handed out against the team he headed.

Earlier this week Yachting New Zealand, the national body covering two of the sailors named by the America's Cup International Jury, released a 27 page report on the matter, which concluded that no further action should be taken against Andrew Walker and Matt Mitchell.

Olympic Gold medalist Coutts (NZL) who skippered the New Zealand boat in two America's Cup wins, says 'the report is spot on in my opinion'.

One sailor, Dirk de Ridder (NED) had a similar finding made on his involvement, by the Dutch national body, who also recommended no further action. But that recommendation was ignored by the International Sailing Federation, the world body for the sport. The ISAF have conducted their own review of de Ridder's case and have made an unpublished determination, believed to be taken to Appeal by de Ridder..

On his Facebook page, Coutts said that 'The ISAF jury appeared to be on a crusade to 'save the America’s Cup' and I believe they may have allowed that belief to cloud their judgment.

'In fact, it is interesting to note that around the same time, the President of ISAF was actively discussing moves to try to grab more control over the event.'

'There are many very good people in ISAF that have worked hard and given up a lot to further the interests of the sport. However, the current administration with their politically charged agenda is doing our sport a huge disservice in my view.'

The relationship between the ISAF and Oracle Team USA is not understood to be harmonious, with Oracle Team USA looking for a reduced ISAF influence in the adjudication for the next America's Cup.

This issue is believed to be one of the sticking points between the Challenger of Record and the Defender in their negotiations for the next Protocol. That process has been running for six months without an end in sight.

For an earlier story, including the full Yachting NZ report along with previously confidential excerpts from the International Jury interviews click here
Maritimo M50Lloyd Stevenson - AC ETNZ 1456x180px BOTTOMMackay Boats 728x90 BOTTOM

Related Articles

Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam Day 3
Sarah-Quita Offringa on cusp of 26th world title Sarah-Quita Offringa on cusp of 26th world title after completing five-timer, while Men's remains too close to call with just 3.3 points separating first to fourth.
Posted on 20 Jul
Tristan triumphs to win 2nd eSailing World title
Tristan Péron became eSailing's first double world champion after qualifying for five finals The 2025 eSailing World Championship has concluded with a dramatic final live from Gdynia as part of the Gdynia Sailing Days festival.
Posted on 20 Jul
Black Foils steal Brits' home win
On SailGP Portsmouth debut It was not to be for Dylan Fletcher's Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team as Peter Burling's Black Foils cinched victory in Portsmouth, bumping New Zealand to the top of the 2025 Season leaderboard.
Posted on 20 Jul
SailGP Day 2: Black Foils score an emphatic win
Black Foils (NZL) won the Final of Emirates SailGP in Portsmouth, with a come from behind win. New Zealand's Black Foils won the Final of Emirates SailGP in Portsmouth, with a come from behind win, in the Final to eclipse the home team and Switzerland.
Posted on 20 Jul
Grand turn-out of Ocean 50s in Rolex Fastnet Race
This trimaran class was given its own start in the Royal Ocean Racing Club's premier event The least well-known of the French offshore classes competing in this year's Rolex Fastnet Race is perhaps the Ocean Fifty.
Posted on 20 Jul
Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta day 7
Conditions soften for the penultimate day of racing More adventures for the Olympic Classes Regatta sailors today in Long Beach. The word for the day was, tricky! Waves, winds and shifts gave the best of the class a chance to test their racing and decision-making in unfamiliar conditions.
Posted on 20 Jul
Get ready for the 9th Annual Camden Classics Cup
A celebration of summer on the coast of Maine It's that time again! Camden comes alive with the unmistakable energy of the Camden Classics Cup next week! The event blends timeless beauty, spirited competition, and waterfront celebration.
Posted on 20 Jul
Admiral's Cup opens with a test of endurance
From light air to full send in the 160nm Channel Race The Admiral's Cup got under way with a light start for the 160nm Channel Race but by the next morning the fleet returned with all of the crews soaking wet and bleary eyed, having gone through the wringer in the English Channel.
Posted on 20 Jul
Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam Day 2
Sarah-Quita Offringa & Maciek Rutkowski assume control Day two of the 2025 Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam didn't disappointment as the Sotavento wind machine continued, although slightly lighter than yesterday, especially earlier on in the day.
Posted on 20 Jul
Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam Day 1
Fuerte by name, Fuerte by nature as winds exceed 40 knots Fuerte by name, Fuerte by nature as winds exceed 40 knots to test mettle of world's best racers as Femke van der Veen and Pierre Mortefon lead overnight rankings.
Posted on 20 Jul