Sail-World.com : Gladwell's Line: Measurement Committee 'clarifies' report to Jury
Gladwell's Line: Measurement Committee 'clarifies' report to Jury
|
The often bizarre world of the America's Cup took a new twist today with the release of two new reports form the International Jury.
In fact, only one of the reports was new - that of a clarification from the Chairman of the Measurement Committee - on some points made earlier in his report to the International Jury concerning the taking out of class of three AC45 catamarans managed by Oracle Team USA.
The situation was discovered by boatbuilders from America's Cup Management, when they were assembling and equalising the AC45's to be used for the Red Bull Youth America's Cup Series.
Initially the report from the Chief Measurer has it that three forward kingposts (supporting struts under the mast and sprit of the AC45's) were found to be overweight, and had weight added to them by Oracle Team USA.
In a report dated August 15, the Measurer stated that following a meeting on August 13, 2013, with Golden Gate Yacht Club Vice Commodore, (and long-time 'Mr Fixit') Tom Ehman; Mark Turner, in charge of the shore crew for Oracle Team USA, and Russell Coutts CEO of Oracle Team USA, that a further inspection was undertaken of the main and forward kingposts, and that while some variation from the standard weight was found, it was not as significant as previously reported.
In fact five of the six kingposts (forward and centre) were weighed, and only one forward kingpost was found to be overweight - that of Ben Ainslie Racing. And the main kingpost in Oracle-Spithill was found to similarly heavier than the class norm. A plastic bag densely packed with iron shot had been inserted in the main kingpost on Oracle Spithill.
One boat cleared?
Oracle Team USA have lauded the latest report from the Chief Measurer, claiming that it exonerates one of their boats, and that they will apply to have Oracle-Coutts reinstated into the four events in the America's Cup World series from which they had previously formally withdrawn.
However the Measurer's new report flies in the face of a second report released by the International Jury - this one submitted by Oracle Team USA themselves and dated some ten days earlier, August 4, 2013.
In this report, which on the surface seems to be very credible and aligns with other documents previously submitted, Oracle Team USA themselves reported that the AC45 sailed by Ben Ainslie Racing had a slurry of resin and leadshot added to a kingpost - it doesn't state which one, or why, or by who.
The Oracle Team USA report also states that it 'appears both OTUSA AC45's had lead shot in a small bag that was then inserted into the king post'.
Again it doesn't say why the weight was added (it was later tested to be iron not lead), or who added it, other than to say that 'these modifications were made by the team members responsible for preparing and maintaining the BAR yacht'.
The Jury investigations are continuing, it is believed into all three AC45's.
By its own admission, Oracle Team USA have broken the rules of the America's Cup World Series, which like its name suggests, is daisy-chained into the current America's Cup Regatta.
Whether they did it in two or three boats is something of a side issue, as is the impact on performance of the changes.
The measurement impasse has created a degree of aggro between the remaining two Challengers and the Defender, which boiled over marginally yesterday at a Media Conference. Any degree of trust between the two camps has completely evaporated.
By any measure the statements made by Oracle Team USA management raise more questions than are resolved. For instance it is widely accepted that the top echelon of the team were genuinely surprised by the claims.
However that then begs the question as to how the shore crew can tamper with one of their yachts, in measurement trim, and the team management be unaware of it. Was this a regular practice - or a one-off?
And if that happens in the AC45 campaign, for four regattas, and is only picked up by a independent party by accident - then what is happening in the AC72's?
The way matters stand, the Defender will have been found to be in serious breach of the Protocol, by the International Jury, on two occasions - and the America's Cup Match hasn't even started.
Dalton Clause pointed elsewhere
Ironically the 'Weapon of Choice' of the International Jury in their pursuit of Oracle Team USA is the so-called 'Dalton Clause', or Article 60 of the Protocol - bought in to curb comments being made which organisers thought were detrimental to the Event. their target was believed to be Emirates Team NZ's Grant Dalton. Now that legal flame-thrower is pointing in a different direction.
Traditionally, the Defender has always worn the Black Hat, in the eyes of the Challengers, particularly at this time of the Cup cycle when tensions reach their zenith. For many, this latest incident goes beyond the pale. Not for what was done, but how the matter has been subsequently handled by the team, which does them no credit at all.
Having done a good job over the past few weeks to get a previously cynical San Francisco media to 'root' for the home team, they too have turned feral over the past week.
Maybe that change in heart by the local media comes off the back of having been misled by an Oracle Team USA media release, sent just ahead of the Jury Notice, where the team announced that a measurement discrepancy had been found, and then took the line that all their actions had been swift and voluntary.
They weren't - most of them were ordered by the Jury in their Decision. But then we know from previous statements from the team to the International Jury that media releases are 'marketing documents', nothing more.
The local media picked up on that line and held the Defenders to have acted honourably. No mention of the pending Jury investigation. Official documents released later in the week showed more of the gravity of the situation. Things turned ugly when the reality of the matter dawned in San Francisco.
Whether that maelstrom abates with the latest releases from the International Jury, or if the story which keeps on giving, just heads in a new direction.
The August 4 report from Oracle Team USA can be read by clicking here
The August 15 report from the Measurement Committee can be read 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=113305
8:33 AM Sat 17 Aug 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 ...
|
Racing has been staged in 12 invited classes at the Sail Melbourne regatta, held in conjunction with the ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne 2013.
...
[more]
The time is now for the hundreds of talented young sailors across the country to start looking ahead to the 2014 U.S. Youth Championships. US Sailing has determined the selection process for next year’s premiere youth racing regatta in the United States. This US Sailing Youth Championship regatta will be hosted by the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club (Mich.) on August 10-14.
...
[more]
Hobartians will see a spectacular re-start of the international fleet contesting the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race on January 1, only days after the twelve Clipper 70s finish the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.
...
[more]
Audi Melges 20 World Championship 2013 opening day ushered in three great races leaving Travis Weisleder, tactician Scott Nixon and bowman John Bowden aboard Lucky Dog/Gill Race Team in first overall.
...
[more]
Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 2013-14 is on day 9 of Race 5. After racing over 2,000 miles from Albany, Western Australia and with less than 20 miles to the finish line, will Henri Lloyd be victorious or will OneDLL and Qingdao be able to challenge its competitor for those all-important 12 points?
...
[more]
On Wednesday, December 11th, at the Nautic Paris Boat Show, Franck Cammas, Michel Desjoyeaux and Olivier de Kersauson presented Team France, which is dedicated to the next America’s Cup as well as the training up of young engineers and racers.
...
[more]
A healthy line-up of entries is expected at the very first Mount Gay Round Barbados Race Series that runs from 15-24 January 2014. With its warm Caribbean waters, miles of gold sandy beaches, and constant 12-18 knot east to east-north-east trade winds, there couldn’t be a more perfect location than Barbados to kick-start the Caribbean racing season.
...
[more]
In an interview published in a leading Australian newspaper, the CEO of of the Hamilton Island Yacht Club challenge, which is operating under the name of Team Australia, has said they will stay out of the bidding war for the leading Australian proponents of the most recent foreign Cup campaigns and will build a new young team from scratch
...
[more]
Artemis Racing has announced that 2012 Olympic Gold medalists Nathan Outteridge and Iain 'Goobs' Jensen are continuing with the team, which is currently preparing its bid for the 35th America’s Cup. Nathan and Goobs will be once again joining forces with existing sailing team members triple Olympic medalist Iain Percy and legendary grinder Chris Brittle.
...
[more]
An America’s Cup on foiling catamarans, a one-design class for the Volvo Ocean Race and key elements of the traditionally liberal IMOCA Class standardised: those are only some of the radical changes sailing has gone through in 2013, and that have been debated with passion over the last two days by the delegates of the World Yacht Racing Forum in Gothenburg, Sweden.
...
[more]
In the Mini Transat, with the successive arrivals on the pontoons of Pointe-à-Pitre, one thing is clear. Although all competitors have crossed the same ocean, each of them has experienced a unique Mini Transat.
...
[more]
In only five years, the New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup has become the world’s premiere international Corinthian sailing competition. Competitors from around the globe were effusive and unanimous in their praise of the third running of this event, in Newport, R.I. last September.
...
[more]
The Volvo Ocean Race picture desk has prepared a series of images to illustrate the construction timeline of the new boat to compete in the next two editions of the Race.
...
[more]
A jury made up of specialists from the yacht racing and photographic industries chose Abner Kingman’s photograph taken during the 34th America’s Cup for the Mirabaud Yacht Racing Image award 2013. The delegates from the World Yacht Racing Forum chose Rick Tomlinson’s photograph for the «Public Award».
...
[more]
Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 2013-14 is on day 8 of Race 5. It’s set to be one of the closest finishes we’ve seen so far in the Race, with less than 200 miles left to Sydney, Australia the teams continue to battle it out for those coveted podium positions and those all important points.
...
[more]
Grant Dalton says Emirates Team New Zealand's future is looking positive and, importantly, he will be a part of it.
Dalton has been busy. He's just returned home from Europe where he met with sponsors and launched a recruitment drive.
...
[more]
The 2013 Audi Melges 20 World Championship, hosted by the Ocean Reef Club in full coordination with the International Audi Melges 20 Class Association, Coconut Grove Sailing Club and Melges USA is set and ready to welcome a record-breaking 52 teams to the starting line. Racing commences Wednesday, December 11 and concludes Saturday, December 14.
...
[more]
In the ISAF Match Race Rankings for Wednesday 11 December 2013 Taylor Canfield (ISV) holds top spot in the Open Rankings for the fourth consecutive release whilst Lucy Macgregor (GBR) holds World number one in the Women's Rankings.
...
[more]
The most outstanding sailing performances of the year are being celebrated by US Sailing with the announcement of its shortlist of nominees for the Rolex Yachtsman and Yachtswoman of the Year awards. The 2013 shortlist of nine men and six women, which includes 10 world champions, encompasses athletes racing cutting edge hydrofoils and kiteboards alongside stellar performers in one-design sailing.
...
[more]
Following a terrifyingly close race start to Race 5 in the Clipper 2013-14 Round the World Yacht Race, the fleet continues to put on one of the most competitive shows to date as each of the 12 teams battle to extend its lead in the overall race standings.
...
[more]
For the second consecutive year, a first since the creation of this title awarded by the French Sailing Federation for the past twelve years, Franck Cammas, the skipper of Groupama, has been voted Sailor of the Year.
...
[more]
Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 2013-14 is on day 7 of Race 5. It has been yet another eventful 24 hours for clipper race fleet with OneDLL momentarily reclaiming its crown. however, with just 10 miles separating the top four competitors the fight to win the coveted podium positions into Sydney continues, as the ocean sprint gets underway.
...
[more]
SOLAS Big Boat Challenge, hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia was held on Sydney Harbour. It has been a long time coming - but at last we have seen Bob Oatley’s six time Rolex Sydney Hobart line honours winner, Wild Oats XI, go head to head against Perpetual LOYAL, widely tipped as the boat most likely to rain on Bob Oatley’s parade in 2013.
...
[more]
SOLAS Big Boat Challenge images by Andrea Francollini. The CYCA's SOLAS Big Boat Challenge, one of Sydney's most spectacular sporting and harbour fixtures, has for 19 consecutive years marked the start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart lead-up events
...
[more]
The ISAF World Sailing Rankings for 9 December 2013 have been released. Disappointment at the Laser World Championship turned into joy at ISAF Sailing World Cup Melbourne for world number one Tom Burton (AUS) who won the second of five regattas of the 2013-14 series.
...
[more]
The next installment of The Transat, the original solo race across the North Atlantic that was born as the OSTAR, will start in its historical time slot in May 2016 from the UK to North America.
...
[more]
The outstanding programme of events for 2014 through to 2020 for Swan owners includes a number of high profile regattas and unique ClubSwan gatherings. In 2014, ClubSwan members once again have the opportunity to join fellow Swan owners in beautiful destinations around the world for a unique combination of racing, cruising and social events.
...
[more]
Sunday marked the commencement of activities at Ocean Reef Club in high anticipation of the very first ever Audi Melges 20 World Championship, fully supported by Melges USA and Coconut Grove Sailing Club. The day came to a perfect close with teams gathering at the home of George and Patty Lucas for an incredible, yet casual and easy kick-off dinner party.
...
[more]
In what may only be described as an electrifying, wild, and windy day, the sixth and final day of the PKRA Kitesurf World Cup Argentina was one for the record books. To the surprise of many, the light and variable winds that were forecast, gave way to up and down conditions ranging from 5-25 knots, lending to an amazing final day.
...
[more]
Clipper Round the World Yacht Race 2013-14 is on day 6 of Race 5. With just over 600 miles until Race 5 finish in Sydney, tactical decisions are starting to play out as the light winds at the front of the fleet threaten to jeopardise the leaders’ positions.
...
[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)
