Rolex Sydney Hobart Race- Loyal Investec decision announced + Video
by Sail-World on 29 Dec 2011
Loyal’s owner Anthony Bell explains his take on the protest - Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2011 Crosbie Lorimer
http://www.crosbielorimer.com
An emotional Anthony Bell, skipper of Investec Loyal, has just announced the decision of the International Jury to a media gathering at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania.
Bell says that the International Jury has dismissed the protest lodged against her by the Race Committee.
The grounds for the dismissal and reasons for the decision have not been formally announced.
The hearing lasted for three hours, and the decision means that Investec Loyal will be declared the line honours winner of the 2011 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race.
Anthony Bell and his Investec Loyal crew were called back to hear the ruling from the International Jury. The alleged Rule 41 breach was dismissed.
Bell said- 'The thoroughness of the review, meant the matter is behind us. I prefer that if there was a question mark that it was cleaned up as it now has been.
'It’s an amazing thing to just be here. We stuck it out with Loyal when people were saying it con't win race. You start to go round the twist I'I am really pleased for everyone. It is an against the odds win, Wild Oats XI is just such a bench mark, it makes the win very sweet.'
It was alleged that Rule 41 (Outside Assistance) has been breached through the conversation with the helicopter pilot.
The first line of RRS41 is clear 'A boat shall not receive help from any outside source...'
In the protest, an ABC helicopter pilot is named as a witness, and there is http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-12-28/investec-loyal-crew-contacted-abc/3750372!video_of_the_dialogue.
As part of its determination the International Jury said:
'Michael Coxon, the INVESTEC LOYAL’S crew member’s question to the helicopter crew was based on his concerns as a sail maker involved in the construction of the mainsail on WILD OATS XI that was new technology and was a very expensive development sail. Its forerunner on another boat had failed.
'Michael Coxon, the CEO of North Sails Australia,therefore had a keen personal interest in its integrity and the information that the mainsail (the only one on board WILD OATS XI) was still being used, was of interest to Michael Coxon personally, but was of no ‘help’ to INVESTEC LOYAL as provided in rule 41.
'The jury is satisfied that the question asked by Michael Coxon was based on commercial concerns and not for reasons of ‘race information’ as provided for by sailing instruction 49.1.'
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