AC Yellow Card

[Topcat47]

I noticed Brittania has been awarded a Yellow Card following an objection after the last race for an illegal but non performance enhancing mod. I can't find any details on the web, other than an article saying it had been awarded and interview with Ben saying the boat was measured before the race and the "infringement" missed. and that no-one wanted the race decided in the courts but in the water. Apparently another Yellow will kick them out of the competition. Anyone know anything else? Are we going back to the bad old days when results are ultimately decided not on the water but in the courts?

 

[Bobc]

There have been 2 "infringements" both complaints against Ineos, and both by LR. In both cases the boat was passed by the measurers as legal before the race, but a subsequent protest from LR resulted in a penalty. Both times the infringement was deemed to not give any performance gain or advantage, and frankly it was just LR trying to nit-pick because they are sore losers.

In an interview, Ben said that it really needed to get this sorted because the issue was around interpretation of the rules, and because these boats are so new, everyone has their own interpretation. His view is that once the boats have been signed off as legal, that should be the end of it, and I agree with him.

 

[Skellum]

This was alluded to in the press conference after the last race. Ben suggested some kind of clear the air scrutineering process to settle these issues once and for all to remove the possibility of a race result being overturned afterwards by this kind of protest and the subsequent bad feeling.

 

[flaming]

I noticed Brittania has been awarded a Yellow Card following an objection after the last race for an illegal but non performance enhancing mod. I can't find any details on the web, other than an article saying it had been awarded and interview with Ben saying the boat was measured before the race and the "infringement" missed. and that no-one wanted the race decided in the courts but in the water. Apparently another Yellow will kick them out of the competition. Anyone know anything else? Are we going back to the bad old days when results are ultimately decided not on the water but in the courts?

To clarify, they got the yellow card for the hole that wasn't a hole for the outhaul.
If they get another one it's not kicked out of the cup, but a 1 race penalty. They are trying to get this rule changed, as pretty much everyone agrees it's a bit silly.

 

[Laser310]

with a new class, and what Ben called a lot of "grey area" in the rules.., the competitors ought to be able to rely on the measurer's conclusions.

now, if something was deliberately hidden, or there is some evidence to support cheating, that would be different - but nobody is alleging that here.

also, the card count should be reset for different stages of the event

 

[shortjohnsilver]

And I feel that had LR one their last encounter, this may never have come to the surface. ?

 

[Topcat47]

JC has a lot to answer for.....

 

[wully1]

That is a disgusting way to try and win. If the boat passed scrutiny before the start then that should surely stand.

 

[Daydream believer]

That is a disgusting way to try and win.

If you had £300 m+ at stake, I am sure you might try anything, if you were up against it. I would, as have lots of contestants in the past. I think I am correct in suggesting that Connors famously accused/suggested NZ of "cheating" once & had to backtrack a bit sharppish

 

[wully1]

The boat was passed as fit to race by the judges...they should have told LR to go and do one.

Things like this cheapen the contest.

 

[dunedin]

Well ironically this time Luna Rossa have been deemed to have sailed with an illegal setup - hiding the running back stays inside the rig to reduce drag massively, which would impact speed noticeably America's Cup: Italians lose crucial AC75 rules appeal on eve of Semi-Finals

 

[dunedin]

The boat was passed as fit to race by the judges...they should have told LR to go and do one.

Things like this cheapen the contest.

Americas Cup has always been a nasty business, rules wise, often going to the courts.

Unfortunately also there is a bizarre arrangement whereby the Defenders and the Challenger of Record are in a privileged place to set the rules. Team NZ and LR had done a deal before the last event, and the moment NZ won the last AC, LR submitted their pre-prepared challenge which was accepted making them the Challenger of Record.
It never has been a level playing field in the AC, albeit it is no longer just the New York Yacht Club which benefits from this.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

The original protest from LR was just dumb and should have been dismissed. The rule was there to prevent inflating the main by dynamic pressure. The sheet passing through the sail did not allow any significant air ingress.