NOKIA'S HONESTY AND SEAMANSHIP PRAISED

by Peter Campbell on 30 Dec 2000 The race committee of the 2000 Telstra Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race today praised the honesty and seamanship of the skipper and crew of the Danish yacht Nokia when imposing a minimum penalty for using their engine for about two hours during the race.

In a voluntary declaration to the Race Committee, skipper Stefan Myralf advised that he had used the engine between 0220 and 0320 hours on December 27 to keep the yacht stable while a crewman was sent aloft to clear a jammed halyard and headboard lock.

The mainsail could not be reefed until the halyard could be cleared and the action in starting the engine had been a question of seamanship.

The Race Committee imposed the minimum penalty possible under race rules - 10 % of placings in the IRC handicap category (Nokia is currently placed 7th but her final position will depend on the final placings of yachts still to finish).

A spokesperson for the Race Committee said tonight,' We have recognised that Nokia used prudent seamanship as the crewman was is some danger in going aloft and without his actions the mainsail could not be reefed.

'We appreciate the honesty of the skipper in advising us of his actions.'

Further information:

2000 Telstra Sydney to Hobart Media Centre
03 6234 10
0419 385 02815