Report on Foils at 2004 Canadians
The
following information is provided for all CODA members who are interested
in the chain of events and final protest, concerning the rudder issue at the
2004 Canadians.
Tony Van Schie,
Rolf Essig and this writer, Scott McAuley, were asked
by the Regatta Organising Committee to take on the responsibility for
measurement and safety at the Canadian Optimist Championship. We formed a
separate measurement committee, had several meetings and developed the
measurement/safety forms that were to be used. Our primary goal was to ensure
fair, safe, fun competition for all. The committee approved the form and I
accepted the responsibility to be the Chief Measurer.
During the measurement
process, it was discovered that several of the rudders did not conform to the
2004 rules, which are as follows;
3.4.1.2 The tiller and
tiller extension of EPOXY rudders shall be made of aluminum.
The tiller and tiller extension of wooden rudders may be made of wood or aluminum.
Several rudders were found to
have carbon fibre tillers and extensions.
3.4.2.3 The tiller shall be
removable and shall be fixed to the rudder by two metal bolts of 5 (+/- 1.5) mm
diameter. The fitting connecting tiller and tiller extension is optional.
Tiller, tiller extension and fittings shall have no sharp projections.
Several rudders were
permanently attached by means of epoxy, they could not be removed, and there
were no metal fastenings of any kind.
The measurement committee,
principle race official, and regatta chairman felt that several measurers had
previously reviewed the rudders, including the USODA, and that they allowed the
rudders in prior regattas. Although they did not conform to the 2004 rules, we
felt that they had been grand fathered into the 2004 rules, however, it was not
clearly written in the IODA rules. We came to the conclusion that they were ok
and would proceed to let the competitors race with
them. At this point we thought it was no longer an issue.I then signed off on the measurement form and
the regatta started.
Race Day:
Mr. Graeme Hayward,
International Judge reviewed with me the notice of race, in particular bringing
to my attention article 10.1 of the notice which stated that the boats for the
championship fleet will be measured. He also confirmed that I was appointed the
chief measurer. Mr. Hayward then showed me his CYA/ISAF rule book, in
particular Part 6 - Entry and Qualification, rule 78 Compliance with Class
Rules; Certificates, and brought my attention specifically to rule:
78.3 When a measurer for an
event concludes that a boat or personal equipment does not comply with the
class rules, he shall report the matter in writing to the race committee, which
shall protest the boat.
At this point it was made clear by the Judges, that I had no authority to
allow these rudders, nor did anyone else who was consulted on this matter. Mr.
Hayward further pointed out that I shall report the matter in writing to the
race committee. Based on this information, and CYA
& ISAF regulations I had no choice but to complete the necessary
information and the following morning present it to Mr. Stephen Hill, the PRO
for the regatta. The race committee was forced to protest several boats, in
turn holding the morning races on the second day. This caused confusion with
the competitors and their parents.
A formal protest was completed
and was heard latter that day by an International panel. Mr. Alex McAuley,
International Judge, and the Chief Judge for this event, asked Mr. Leo Reise, International judge, to chair this particular
protest as I was called to witness for the race committee and they did not want
any potential conflict. The rules were reviewed and discussion took place
around the year the rudders were first measured. The protest committee
discovered that we were actually racing under several different sets of rules
as identified in 3.4.6 of the 2004 rules:
3.4.6 Rudders presented for
first measurement between 1 March 2004 and 28 February 2005 may conform to either the
above rules or the rules valid before 1
March 2004. Rudders presented for first measurement from 1 March, 2005 shall conform to the above
rules. Rudders used at the 2006 and later IODA World Sailing Championships
shall conform to the above rules.
Rudders used at the
2007 and later IODA Continental Championships shall conform to the above rules.
This particular rule meant
that prior rules for the Optimist still applied until March 2005. The committee
asked me if I had the 2003 rules. I did not have them with me but was asked to
retrieve them. I found the 2003 rules still on the IODA web page, downloaded
the section concerning this point and provided them to the protest jury. The
2003 rule 3.4.1.2 states that: The tiller and tiller extension may be made of
any material. Also, there is no particular rule regarding the ability to remove
the tiller. They asked a few questions and then reconvened. The following are
the protest jury’s conclusions.
The two rudders presented for
the jury’s inspection conform to the International Optimist Class Rules that
were in effect prior to March 1st
2004. Under IO Class Rule 3.4.6 effective on March 1st 2004, the rudders of all presently
measured boats may conform to either the rules 3.4 of the previous class rules
or the present rules effective March 1st
2004
Decision: The rudder elements of
boats USA 13156, Can1060,
Can943, Can1033, Bar 102, Bar 104, Can1201, are approved as legal and measured
for this event.
Although this protest was
forced onto the organising body and myself by rule
78.3, the outcome was favourable for the sailors. I also think that it was good
for CODA. We now have a decision from a distinguished jury panel on equipment
that was in question and have taken notice of the upcoming changes to the IODA
Class, in particular, the rudder and foil changes along with the upcoming sail
restrictions. I also believe that at our National events, we should be strict
with the class rules and safety as a whole. It will ensure fair, fun, safe
competition for our young sailors, add excitement when attending our national
events, and help prepare them for major regattas throughout their sailing
careers that require intense scrutiny of class rules.
Scott McAuley