Para Olympic Fiasco

It is a shame- but it seems odd that you've joined purely to post this. Your wording too is odd- the "pride of a measurer"? The statement says nothing about that. What do you know that's not in there?

The discretionary penalty does seem rather harsh. In some ways it can be directly comparable to the Olympic Laser sailor who straightened the topmast section without first seeking authorisation... who received a discretionary penalty of zero.

I don't have the backgound for this , but am I right in thinking they have a no hauling out policy for the duration of the games for the Sonar? If so then cleaning off the boat when it was lifted for repairs could be an advantage not only for the next race but also the whole of the rest of the regatta. It is potentially performance changing. Very hard to see that a penalty was unjustified.

I also note that the GBR team got the Australians DSQ earlier on in what sounds like a fairly marginal port/starboard call. What goes around...

Edited by JimC - 06 Sep 12 at 4:49pm

Just read the protest document...

Facts found: GBR asked for the measurer's permission to haul the Sonar to effect repairs to perceived damage to the bottom of the keel. GBR complied with the instructions at the time of haul-out as the measurer inspected the keel. The measurer provided consent for GBR to effect repairs to the bottom of the keel, as well as to three marks on the starboard side. The crew was present for the inspection and instructed their bosun to make the repairs. Once the bosun completed the repairs he began to wipe the whole keel including the port side. The measurer made 3 requests for the bosun to stop wiping the keel, but he kept wiping. After second request to stop, the measurer explained that he might have to make a report if he did not stop. The bosun replied, "go ahead and make your report" and continued wiping. After the third request, the bosun explaining that he had to do his job and he continued wiping until he finished the job. The measurer's opinion is that there was no performance advantage gained by wiping the keel. Conclusion: GBR complied with the application procedure to effect the repair under EIR 3. GBR did not effect repairs beyond those permitted by the measurer under EIR 3.3. The bosun failed to comply with the reasonable request by the measurer to stop wiping other areas of the keel, in breach of SI 3. The breach was deliberate. Mitigating circumstances are that GBR does not dispute any aspect of the measurer's report, and acknowledges that the bosun made an error of judgement.

Honestly: what was he thinking? He sounds like a Park Official in the Beano "more'n my jobsworth not to clean that keel properly".

If you want a real nightmare scenario consider what penalties should have been imposed if the measurer had not been nice and made the somewhat dubious statement that there was no performance advantage from cleaning the keel...

Edited by JimC - 06 Sep 12 at 6:56pm

I think Channel 4's coverage of the sailing can at best be described as a fiasco too.

Watched Channel 4's main coverage between around 1900 and 2200 tonight. Numerous updates about team GBs various successes today and not one mention by Clare and Ade of the sailors achievements. (I realise everything was achieved the day before but not aware of any coverage yesterday either.

Disgraceful. Shame on you Channel 4.