Rolex Sydney Hobart: Protest against Wild Oats XI is dismissed
by CYCA Media/Sail-World.com/nz 28 Dec 2018 20:37 PST
29 December 2018
The champagne flows aboard Wild Oats XI © Crosbie Lorimer
The protest lodged by the Race Committee for the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race against line honours winner, Wild Oats XI has been dismissed after a Hearing n Hobart this afternoon.
The protest was ruled invalid as it was not lodged by a competitor with first hand information and evidence. Black Jack were happy to talk to the media about the issue ashore in Hobart, but said they would not lodge a protest themselves. The Race Committee then lodged a report with the International Jury which was heard at 1330hrs local time today.
Sail-World NZ spoke to a Wild Oats XI crew member after the protest who advised that the AIS system was working but was at a much weakened strength as a result of technical issues on board following a media interview before the start of the race, but after a check had been made to ensure the AIS was working and at at full strength.
The race relay vessel also advised two other competitors that their AIS was not working mid-race yet did not advise Wild Oats XI of issues with their AIS, and the crew were unaware of any fault until after the boat arrived in Hobart.
The Decision announced by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia is as follows:
Following a protest against Wild Oats XI by the Race Committee of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, which was held by the International Jury at Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania today, it was found that the protest was invalid and so Wild Oats XI retains her line honours crown.
Conclusions:
The Race Committee’s investigation and subsequent protest arose from the report from the owner of Black Jack, a competitor in the Race and therefore a person with a conflict of interest within the meaning of the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS).
The Race Committee’s investigation was prudent, however in these circumstances, for the protest to be valid under the Racing Rules of Sailing, a competitor with information about a potential rule breach must lodge the protest.
Rules that apply: RRS60.2 (a), Definitions – Conflict of Interest.
Decision: Protest Invalid.
Protest announcement by the Race Committee
Reaction to the Decision from Black Jack