Please select your home edition
Edition
Sea Sure 2025

America's Cup- Oracle crew mate lodges complaint against Tienpont

by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com/nz on 23 Jan 2015
Simeon Tienpont - AC72 - Oracle Team USA,. San Francisco Guilain Grenier Oracle Team USA http://www.oracleteamusamedia.com/
Former Oracle Team USA team member, Matthew Mitchell has issued a media release stating that he has lodged a complaint with the International Sailing Federation over the actions of a fellow crew member, Simeon Tienpont, and inaction by the International Jury for the 34th America's Cup, in San Francisco.

A Dutch sailor, Tienpont is now with the Challenger Luna Rossa (ITA).

The complaint to the International Sailing Federation centres around both a report from an investigation by Yachting New Zealand and an internal report from an allegedly incomplete investigation by Oracle Team USA.

The Yachting New Zealand report expressed surprise that action was not taken by the International Jury against Tienpont.

In a report commissioned by the New Zealand national sailing body, two Commissioners appointed by YNZ wrote: 'we are troubled by the fact that the ACIJ (America's Cup International Jury) failed to include an allegation of gross misconduct against Simeon Tienpont. He was called as a witness by the ACIJ ..... he stated that he put resin in the dolphin striker of Boat BAR, alleging that he had assisted Matthew Mitchell in this and had been asked by Matthew Mitchell and Kyle Langford to do that work. We struggle to understand how a senior sailing member of OTUSA who admitted in an interview with ACIJ (Jury) Members filling a kingpost on Boat BAR with resin should not have faced an allegation of serious misconduct under (ACRRS) Rule 69 as did Bryce Ruthenberg, Andrew Walker, Kyle Langford and Matthew Mitchell did.'

In the statement, Mitchell says that he is looking forward to the ISAF investigating his claims. Mitchell's statement accompanying the media release also embraces the controversial foil adjustment system used by Oracle Team USA, on the basis that Tienpont was one of those on board who was able to adjust the foils.

Oracle internal investigation
Mitchell alleges that 'Oracle's internal investigator expressed surprise that Simeon was not charged at the time of the revelations - this from a secret memo that surfaced at the recent CAS (Court for Arbitration for Sport) re-examination of a related case.' The statement makes other claims that require further substantiation.

In its report the ISAF Disciplinary Commission made reference to the Oracle Team USA internal investigation by Ms Anne Le France, and notes that a report on an interview with Ms Le France was on the Jury's records that was not made available to the accused parties for comment. 'According to the CAS decision, that note on one hand finds Mr de Ridder (Dirk de Ridder, suspended for 18 months by CAS) a credible witness (contrary to the conclusion that the AC Jury came to), but on the other hand corroborates the evidence of Mr Ruthenberg (Bryce Ruthenberg, OTUSA Shore team), and demonstrates that of Mr Walker as inconsistent.'

No further action
Mitchell's media release has also advised that the ISAF have decided to take no further action against him and that his case is considered closed. He was suspended from participation in the next four races in the 34th America's Cup by the International Jury.

The Int Jury made a report to both Yachting New Zealand, being Mitchell's own national authority and also the ISAF. The New Zealand body proceeded according to its rules and regulations and appointed two Commissioners, lawyers Roydon Hindle and Richard Brabant, to investigate and report. They recommended no further action and made comments critical of the International Jury and its processes.

The matter was also investigated by the ISAF in accordance with its processes and regulations.

In the conclusion to its report the ISAF Disciplinary Commission concluded that 'not withstanding Mr Mitchell's request for the panel to exonerate him, it would be inappropriate to commence a fresh hearing into this unfortunate episode so long after the event.'

'Consequently.... the panel orders that there shall be no further proceedings in this matter, the case is considered closed, and there is no finding by the panel as to the truth or otherwise of the AC Jury Report or of any breach by Mr Mitchell of the RRSAC'.

Earlier claim for legal costs
Matthew Mitchell also lodged a claim in a Californian court on December 20, 2014 against Oracle Team USA claiming recompense for legal fees involved in his defence during various Hearings and processes click here for the full story

Mitchell claimed he had to pay out $68,000 in legal fees, interest and other costs, to defend himself in the now concuded case with the International Sailing Federation over changes made to the one design AC45 catamarans used in preliminary regattas in 2012 and 2013.

Exposure MarineSelden 2020 - FOOTERTrofeo Princesa Sofía Mallorca 2025

Related Articles

2025 Santa Maria Cup in Annapolis, USA Day 2
Final four skippers emerge from a competitive qualifying double-round robin stage A thrilling second day of racing at the 2025 Santa Maria Cup saw the final four skippers emerge from a competitive qualifying double-round robin stage.
Posted today at 4:47 am
SailGP to Kick Off Summer in New York
With this Weekend's Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix An unforgettable weekend of high-speed, close-to-shore racing and world-class entertainment will take place this weekend when the Mubadala New York Sail Grand Prix takes place in front of the most famous skyline in the world.
Posted on 5 Jun
Scandinavian Gold Cup at Sopot, Poland Day 1
A slow start with very little wind The Scandinavian Gold Cup opened Thursday in Sopot, Poland, with seven 5.5 Metres competing for this historic and iconic trophy that dates back to 1922. Unfortunately, there was not enough wind to even complete one race.
Posted on 5 Jun
Brooklyn kids launch 7 ft boats they built by hand
Join us in celebrating the accomplishments of our boat-building students Brooklyn Boatworks, a local nonprofit that teaches NYC public school students—mostly from underserved communities—to build and launch their own wooden sailboats from 3 sheets of plywood, a set of plans, and tools.
Posted on 5 Jun
49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 Europeans Day 3
A six-hour bake on the water Veteran and multi-Olympic race officer Sulis was clear at the morning briefing, "Our priority is to get three races for the 49er so they can progress to the gold fleet."
Posted on 5 Jun
Galicia 52 Super Series Royal Cup Day 3
Platoon Aviation turn up the heat but don't dent American Magic Quantum Racing's lead After a disappointing first regatta of the season when they finished in an uncharacteristic last position in Saint-Tropez, the fortunes of the German flagged 2023 52 SUPER SERIES overall champions Platoon Aviation seem to have turned for the better.
Posted on 5 Jun
Diverse international fleet for 5th AEGEAN 600
The race start is a little over 1 month away In a sign that this newest of the world's 600-mile classic offshore races has reached maturity, organizers from the Hellenic Offshore Racing Club are pleased to announce yet another large international fleet will be assembled for the 2025 AEGEAN 600.
Posted on 5 Jun
Newport International Boat Show joins Sail Newport
Premier northeast boat show donates $5,000 to community efforts The Newport International Boat Show, presented by BankNewport announced today its continued involvement in supporting Sail Newport to aid in a shared dedication to attract new boaters to a lifetime of making memories on the water.
Posted on 5 Jun
Sinclair Championship Preview
Noroton Yacht Club (NYC) at the center of thriving Women's Sailing Program Up to a dozen of the country's top women sailing teams will come to the Noroton Yacht Club (NYC) again to compete in the 2025 Susan Widmann Sinclair Women's Championship June 13th-15th.
Posted on 5 Jun
America's Cup: Another sponsor signs for Italians
Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team Luna Rossa has announced that Unipol has renewed its trust in the team and will accompany it as an official sponsor for the duration of the 38th America's Cup.
Posted on 5 Jun