Sail-World.com : America's Cup: Points, expulsions and fines in Jury Decision
America's Cup: Points, expulsions and fines in Jury Decision
|
|
|
'Oracle Team USA has been hit moderately hard in the decision of the International Jury - America’s Cup 2013'
Chuck Lantz
Click Here to view large photo
|
Several members of Oracle Team USA have been excluded for various periods of time, substantial fines have been levied on the team and the team deducted two points in the forthcoming America's Cup Regatta.
Well, they aren't actually deducted two wins, Oracle Team USA, just don't get the points for their first two wins, in the Match.
The International Jury has exonerated Team principals, specifically Grant Simmer and Russell Coutts, and it was their actions once they became aware of the measurement issues that carried a mitigation factor, without which the penalties would have been more substantial.
Six sailors were identified by the International Jury and five of those have been named in the Decision. The sixth identified as Sailor X had his case dismissed after the Jury determined that he was not at a particular impromptu meeting where the discussion was held about adding weight to the kingpost of the AC45's.
A long six weeks
The Decision brings to a close what should have been a minor measurement incident that has escalated into the most serious form of disciplinary Hearing in the sport.
It relates to the finding on July 26, that a builder supplied part, a kingpost, of three AC45's managed by America's Cup Defenders Oracle Team USA, had been tampered with, by having additional weight added to them.
The kingposts, also known as dolphin strikers, are struts that are located under the wingsail and sprit, through which support rigging is run and tensioned to spread structural loads in the AC45's and indeed most multihulls. The AC45's have two kingposts.
The weight discrepancy was discovered by boatbuilders working for America's Cup Regatta Management (ACRM), not members of Oracle Team USA.
The amount of additional weight added was miniscule, and it is equally hard to understand why it would be located outside of the prescribed corrector weight area, however the point is that it was a breach of the Class Rules for the AC45 - which is a one design manufacturer supplied class.
A second report from the Measurement Committee highlighted the fact that the length and end fittings on some of the kingposts used in the Oracle Team USA 45's were of a different length and internal construction than the factory supplied kingposts. And further that while other kingposts had been removed and repaired by other teams they were all identical to the factory supplied items. While two of those from the Oracle boats had a measurable variance.
This issue should have been a relatively simple matter of the team identifying the people involved, the circumstances, and providing the Measurer with a full explanation - all within 24 hours. Had they done so, they could maybe have avoided the ignominy of withdrawing from the last four events of the America's Cup World Series, of which Oracle Team USA had won three and finished second in the other, together with the two Hearings.
Two members of Oracle Team USA were found to have not told the truth to the international Jury, and the Chairman of the Measurement Committee told the Jury in response to questions about the reliance on the level of trust by the Measurement Committee on competitors and finding that this trust had been vetrayed by members of Oracel Team USA, Nick Nicholson said ' I felt old, and used, and stupid'.
Five measurement breaches
All told, five incidents of measurement irregularities were identified by the Jury and these were all found to have been deliberate actions of tampering with a measured boat, putting it out of class.
The members of the Oracle Team USA sailing and shore crew named by the International jury are Bryce Ruthenberg (AUS), Andrew Walker (NZL), Kyle Langford (AUS), Matt Mitchell (NZL) and Dirk de Ridder (NED).
In the cases of the two Australians the Jury excluded ,b>Bryce Ruthenberg (AUS) a member of the OTUSA shore team is excluded for the remainder of the 34th America's Cup Regatta. He will be reported to his national authority under International Sailing Federation Racing Rule 69.1, but with a recommendation that no action be taken because of his 'full, frank and early admissions'.
Similarly with his countryman, Kyle Langford (AUS), a wing trimmer on board Oracle Team USA who for similar reasons together with his age and inexperience in the America's Cup environment was given a warning, which means he can continue to sail, if selected, and no report is to be made to Yachting Australia. However in an earlier section of its Decision the Jury noted that they were 'comfortably satisfied that his conduct was a gross breach of a rule and good sportsmanship.'
Two New Zealanders will be reported to their National Authority, Yachting New Zealand, which will establish a panel to receive the report, run its own investigation, and make recommendations on penalty and reporting to the national body and the International sailing federation who run a similar process and may then impose world-wide suspensions from the sport. While these normally cover exclusion from sailing events, it does not deprive the sailors of their ability to earn a living outside sail racing.
Matt Mitchell (NZL) a member of the OTUSA sailing crew, is excluded for four races of the 34th America's Cup, and will be reported to Yachting New Zealand, but with a recommendation that no further action be taken. No reason is given for the recommendation. However in an earlier section of its Decision the Jury noted that they were 'comfortably satisfied that his conduct was a gross breach of a rule and good sportsmanship.'
A second New Zealander, Andrew Walker a member of the OTUSA shore crew has been excluded from the 34th America's Cup and will be reported to Yachting New Zealand. No recommendation will be made in his case, and it can be expected that further sanctions may be applied to him after a YNZ Hearing. In an earlier section of its Decision the Jury noted that they were 'comfortably satisfied that his conduct was a gross breach of a rule and good sportsmanship, and this was compounded by not telling the truth during the hearing.'
Oracle Team USA's wingsail trimmer Dirk de Ridder (NED) is excluded from the 34th America's Cup, and will be reported to the Dutch National Authority. Again there is no recommendation for leniency from the Jury. In an earlier section of its Decision the Jury noted that they were 'comfortably satisfied that his conduct was a gross breach of a rule and good sportsmanship.' The Jury were also comfortably satisfied that de Ridder gave instruction to add weight to the forward kingpost,; and that he knew the weight had been added; that it was a breach of the AC45 Class Rule; and that 'he did not tell the truth to the hearing in this regard.'
Fine to Charity
Of the financial penalty levied on Oracle Team USA, half will be paid to the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation and the other half to a charity for at-risk youth in the San Francisco area.
The team will be penalized by one point for each of the two races of the Match in which they would otherwise score a point, meaning that they don’t start with a minus points score, but if they win races, they will not receive points for their first two wins.
The match for the 34th America's Cup starts on September 7, when the Defender Oracle Team USA meets the Challenger Emirates Team NZ, sailing in AC72 catamarans.
The full decision can be read by clicking here and by clicking here
by Richard Gladwell
Click on the FB Like link to post this story to your FB wall
http://www.sail-world.com/index.cfm?nid=114024
6:58 PM Tue 3 Sep 2013GMT
Click here for printer friendly version
Click here to send us feedback or comments about this story.
Click for further information on
2013 America's Cup
Related News Stories:
MORE STORIES ...
|
In the Mini Transat, as and when boats arrive, the pontoons at Pointe-à-Pitre are abuzz with activity and tales of the sea told time and again. Meanwhile, the fleet of singlehanders still at sea slims down gradually. For now the movement is still slow, but the pace is expected to accelerate during the weekend.
...
[more]
Building upon the success of last year’s initiative to take the 52 Super Series to America for the first time, Quantum Key West looks set to attract seven 52’s including the 2013 world champions, Niklas Zennström’s Rán Racing and 2013 Key West winners, Azzurra, from Europe.
...
[more]
At the Laser Masters World Championships, the idea that sailing without a hat under a blistering hot sun was harmless, left Jon Emmett sick and languishing deep in the Radial Apprentice fleet, but with one day’s racing to go, he is on the brink of an overall victory after a remarkable recovery.
...
[more]
In the Mini Transat, Geneva-based sailor Justine Mettraux crossed the finish line in Pointe-a-Pitre in second place in the early hours of this morning to sail into the history books as the highest achieving female sailor in the history of the event.
...
[more]
The third edition of the Barcelona World Race will close the first season of the newly defined programme for the IMOCA Ocean Masters World Championship which was launched today. The next Barcelona World Race will be preceded by a double-handed transatlantic race between New York and Barcelona starting on 1st June 2014.
...
[more]
On day two of the Star Sailors League Final, three races were held in perfect conditions, once again. East winds of 10-14 knots and bright sunshine made for another postcard day in Nassau. Austin and I got off to a good start with a fourth place in the first race of the day. We had a great start, good speed upwind so we were able to stay a head of the heavy traffic.
...
[more]
Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 2013-14 is on day 3 of Race 5. It was a day of tense race viewing as OneDLL stormed to victory claiming maximum points in the scoring gate, with Derry~Londonderry~Doire and Henri Lloyd claiming second and third respectively in one of the tightest battles yet.
...
[more]
Despite some bleak weather expectations for Day 5 of the ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne 2013, Port Phillip turned on a corker day. The grey skies and big seas of the morning eased as the day progressed. The sun shone brightly and all appeared to be well with the world – today was just the second of sunshine and summer warmth.
...
[more]
The gales which hit Melbourne yesterday have abated somewhat for the fifth day of the ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne.
For those with longer memories, a repeat of the third day looks to be on the weather cards, with moderate winds, a big confused sea, brighter skies and sunshine.
...
[more]
The mixed crew Nacra 17 is one of the new Olympic classes that have been selected for the 2016 Olympic Games. This week they are racing for the first time as a part of the ISAF World Sailing Cup Melbourne and the boat park at Sandringham Yacht Club abounds with luminaries of the multihull world, each looking to make or assist those trying to make their mark on the new Olympic class.
...
[more]
In the Mini Transat village, it’s a day of respite. Today, everyone is waiting for the arrival of Justine Mettraux (TeamWork) who is still more than a hundred miles from the finish in the 16.00 (GMT +1) ranking report. On land, families and friends of the skippers try to suppress their impatience ...
...
[more]
At the Laser Master World Championships, Vanessa Dudley is one of only eight women competing in Oman, yet her performance in the Radial Grand Master fleet could create one of the biggest upsets of the regatta. Dudley, a talented amateur sailor from Sydney Australia, is engaged in a fascinating duel with American Bruce Martinson.
...
[more]
Photographer Jeff Crow took to the water at Sandringham to capture this gallery of photos during the ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne.
...
[more]
Enjoy this additional selection of images captured on site during the ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne by photographer Jeff Crow.
...
[more]
Photographer Jeff Crow was out on the water at Sandringham to capture these photos during the ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne.
...
[more]
Day 4 ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne - Unfortunately today competitors from 24 countries in the Olympic classes had to sit out racing due to the westerlies gusting in excess of 35 knots that howled across Port Phillip, causing massive seas to build and pound the Sandringham rock wall.
...
[more]
Images from several of the Olympic classes coping with the torrid conditions of Day 3 of the ISAF World Sailing Cup Melbourne
...
[more]
Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 2013-14, Race 5, day 2 - With the lure of extra points and the prospect of improving overall standings in the race, the scoring gate is proving too much of a temptation for the fleet to resist as Race 5 gets set to shake up the leaderboard.
...
[more]
A quiet cheer went up around the boat park at Sandringham Yacht Club as AP over A was hoisted on the official flag pole for all classes competing at ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne.
...
[more]
Star Sailors League 2013 - Day 1 update from Cayard Sailing: Perfect Star sailing conditions were delivered in Nassau today. 8-12 knots from the east and sunshine made the sailing spectacular for this elite fleet.
...
[more]
At most regattas when the racing is called off due to strong winds, there are always competitors who complain that the sailing should have taken place.
There weren't any of that ilk today at Sandringham Yacht Club venue for the Sail Melbourne regatta.
...
[more]
Fresh breezes look set to prevail for the fourth day of racing at the ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne.
As competitors arrived at the Sandringham Yacht Club, they were greeted with a cold handshake from the 20kt southerly breeze.
...
[more]
Day two of the PKRA Kitesurf World Cup Mendoza offered stronger winds and a variety of racing and freestyle action. With the winds filling early, the remaining men’s freestyle trials got underway and finished up after 11 heats with riders using 9m-14m kites.
...
[more]
Enjoy this third selection of photos in a series of three galleries from the ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne. The action shots were captured on location at Sandringham by photographer Jeff Crow.
...
[more]
In the Mini Transat, the skipper of Tout le Monde Chante contre le Cancer crossed the finish line at Pointe-à-Pitre on Wednesday 4 December at 13h 57mn 27s local time (17h 57mn 27s GMT). His elapsed time is 21d 09h 12mn 27s. His average speed over the course has been 7.16 knots.
...
[more]
US Sailing’s Olympic Sailing Committee (OSC) has now released selection procedures for the upcoming Summer Youth Olympic Games, to be held in Nanjing, China, from August 16 to 28, 2014. An elite sporting event for athletes around the world, the Summer Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing will showcase over 3,500 athletes competing in 28 sports.
...
[more]
Spring 2014 is chock full of yacht racing thrills. Watching a televised race can be a nail-biting experience as millions experienced the Oracle's crew climb back on top during 2013's America's Cup. Even if you did not know anything about sail racing, you were likely caught up in the spectacle.
...
[more]
Enjoy this second selection in a series of three galleries from the ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne. The photos were captured on location in Sandringham by photographer Jeff Crow (Sport the Library).
...
[more]
In the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, after a terrifyingly close start to Race 5 yesterday and with less than 2000 miles until the fleet reach Sydney, the 12- strong teams are already staging one of the most tactical races to date.
...
[more]
The venues for the eighth season of the RC44 Championship Tour have now been confirmed. Two new venues will make their debut, alongside three RC44 favorites. The season will start in the Caribbean next February, where the class will be welcomed for the first time by the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Virgin Gorda.
...
[more]
|
|
Our Advertisers are committed to our sport, please support them!
This site and its contents are © Copyright TetraMedia Pty. Ltd and/or the original author, photographer etc. All Rights Reserved.
Photographs are copyright by law. If you wish to use or buy a photograph you must contact the photographer directly (there is a hyperlink in most cases to their website, or do a Google search.) with your request.
Please do not contact
Sail-World.com
as we cannot give permission for use of other photographer’s images.
Only if the photographer named on the image is Sail-world.com, Powerboat-world.com, Marinebusiness-world.com or NZBoating-World.com.
Contact us
.
Ph: +61 2 8006 1873
or complete our
feedback form
Contact us
.
View our Privacy Policy.
[ Go Home]
[ Banner Advertising Specification]
[Bot Archive ]
Customised news feeds -Marine Industry companies, Clubs and Associations have their own customised version of our news feed on their website.
Look_here_to_see_examples
|
| | |
.jpg)
