Confusion on Sydney Hobart second start line
by Rob Kothe/Di Pearson on 26 Dec 2004
First National - returned and restarted Andrea Francolini Photography
http://www.afrancolini.com/
A bit of confusion for boat owners on the second start line of the Rolex Sydney Hobart this afternoon as the fleet got away 1.10pm.
Whilst the big boats got away cleanly on the first start line, it was not the same joy for the smaller boats behind them on a separate line.
As the smaller boats jostled for position, a number were allegedly over and a recall signal flag was flown. Michael Spies (First National Real Estate, NSW), the Hamilton Island sponsored Another Challenge (Chris Lewin, Vic) and Lou Abraham's Challenge (Vic) ducked around the end of the line and restarted.
Some observers believed up to 15 boats were in fact OCS, but those yachts could not be identified on a tight start line.
Principal Race Officer, Mark Pryke, explained this afternoon that normal ISAF requirements are for both gun and flag notification; however the Hobart start rules have a compulsory flag and an optional gun.
It appears that communication issues between the pin and committee boat officials prevented any OCS being immediately transmitted and race officials made the decision to let the boat sail on.
Pryke, an experienced international judge, believes there was in fact no error committed by the race committee and the outcome was fair for all concerned. He could not foresee any problems after the finish in Hobart, but that remains to be seen.
If you want to link to this article then please use this URL: www.sail-world.com/15780
