I14 Worlds Stitch-up

Yes, but how many times has someone disputed the facts in a close port/starboard call? Both sides normally say they are in the right, normally both are honest and respected, but one of them is always wrong. So why should the account of the UK crew get any more credence than the accoounts of two parties in a port/starboard incident?

If you're implying that because Barker disputed the facts he must be correct, how could you take that angle? Don't you think that the Aussie crew's account of the facts deserves at least as much credence? If not, why not?

What about the fact that evidence was given by Paul Brotherton and by a member of the RC as well?

What about the fact that according to the committee, Barker etc had to finish in the top 3 as well as ahead of Irwin and Perry? That does not tally with Barker's defence. Surely he would have brought it up if the committee had made an elementary scoring mistake - but if the committee is correct doesn't that destroy the claim that Barker only had to sail Irwin back down to 28th to move to second?

It's a bit like a close port/starboard or tacking just in front of someone AFAIK. You not only have to take into account the facts, but the chances of proving them.

And finally, there has an enormous amount of study about the way our memories of incidents are altered by whether we stand to win or lose by them. Even mere allegience to a sport team has been proven to alter the way we see incidents on the field. It's a problem well recognised by lawyers and psychologists and social psychologists; I'm in a legal field and I've probably never seen two people give the same account of an accident.

The science is simple and well proven - what Barker now sincerely believes to have occurred may not be the truth. His entire perception (and that of Irwin and Perry, of course) will be shaped unconsciously by what they would like to have happened. In fact, evidence suggests that those who are more insistent that they are right, are re-manufacturing their memories and are therefore more likely to  be wrong than someone who leaves their mind open to other interpretations and says "well, I THINK I saw it happen this way....but maybe I'm wrong...."

re "paper wins"....it wasn't just a "paper win", any more than people had "paper wins" in the many times they have won championships on protest involving disputed port/starboards, buoy room incidents etc. Evidence says that protest was hailed at first opportunity, therefore the danger should have been clear to Barker etc just like it is when you stick your bow in at a mark.

As the world I-14 president (a Seppo) says, "It was a popular result....... Lindsay sailed a masterful regatta – unbelievable to be so far ahead going into the last day after sailing in conditions that saw some races with gusts to 35 and lulls to 5 - all with 50 deg wind shifts – we couldn ‘t figure it out – that’s for sure."

When the Aussie cricket team does their normal embarassing antics in the Ashes, I'll have to remember that from the evidence here the Brits no longer worry about fair play and accepting the umpire's verdict either.



Edited by Chris 249

Originally posted by Contender443 I assume they can appeal against the Jury decision? It would be good to hear the other side but at the moment we have the findings / conclusion of the protest committee.

No, you can't appeal against an IJ and it doesn't set any precedents.

Having read the protest hearing result I think this finding:-
"GBR 1516 ceased its covering tactics when GBR 1513 was in a position to win the series."
blows Richardsons claim that they were trying to sail the Aussies down to 24th to get a place themselves a mile wide. You can read the protest document here. They had good 3rd party evidence so the findings are probably pretty safe, and on those findings I think they had no choice at all but to call the DND and give redress. When you read the whole protest document the thing is about 10 times more open and shut than the press reports suggest.


Edited by JimC

http://www.takapunaboating.org.nz/SMLogo/PROTEST.doc

Here is a detailed acount of the protest I am with the Aussie's on this one could this be the end to Woffies check book approach to the 14.

 Reminds me of an F1 season.

Edited by IanW

What is the other site?

Read the other posts about this on the forum section for racing rules. The jury thought they were cheating and reading the evidence it looks like they were. there was also a witness to this incident - a Brit in the form of Paul Brotherton.

Sorry to say it but this looks like a professional foul as stated in that thread.