49er medal race

I've just been watching the 49er medal race videos on Youtube and the conditions look dreadful and the sailing a nightmare. But the video of the Tornado medal race is good and gives an excellent impression of sailing as a sport, especially as catamaran sailing may be rather more accessible to the general public (through sailing hols at beach resorts in the Med etc.) than out-and-out hi-performance skiff sailing. Personally I think the range of boats sailed in this year's Olympics gives a pretty good advertisement for sailing - there's the really difficult 49er class at one extreme and then the easier to handle classes at the other - the public can probably see lasers and boats at least similar to the 470 (e.g. Fireballs) when they pass sailing clubs at reservoirs and beaches, and they could think they could have a go in such classes. The only thing that has spoilt the Olympic sailing was the really light wind especially on the early days - but all in all I think it has been great to show the viewing public at least a glimpse of sailing. What we need now is for the BBC to continue their interest in sailing in the run up to 2012.

Full decision of CAS:

http://www.tas-cas.org/d2wfiles/document/1909/5048/0/Award%2 0OG%2008%20008%20&%20009%20FINAL.pdf

5.3.4. ".....In addition, the Respondent has addressed several examples in which boats participated (and were not disqualified) which did not bear the Additional Identification, including an Italian boat."

5.4.7. ".....The Panel finds it also a remarkable example of Olympic
Spirit of the Croatian crew to grant their Danish colleagues such generous
support."

Originally posted by ITA_Max Now that the story is completed I would like to put forward an Italian point of view in this discussion. Surely the Danish team deserved the gold medal for what they have demonstrated during the whole Olympic Regatta, not doubts, however .. there are rules to be respected and in the medal race some rules have been clearly broken. The International Jury decide to not penalize the DK team on the basis that they didn't take any advantage by breaking some rules; It's a decision which I respect even if I'm not convinced. I'm asking my-self in the rules are not fully respected in the Olympic Regatta where have to be respected .... IMHO the 49er medal race was run in conditions which didn't add anything to this sport, was simply a survival race. Even if the wind was within the limit the sea condition was not at all suitable for this kind of boat. The better was to postpone the medal race to the following day (which was, by the way, an excellent day for sailing). Last comment. All interventions in the forum are supporting the decision of the Jury, very good. Just think a little bit if you had a GBR and a DK boat instead of ESP and ITA. Would you have the same reactions ? I already imagine the comments regarding the usual tricky way to win a regatta used by the Italian mafia ..... Ciao and congratulation to the UK team for the results in the Olympic events.  Massimo

So, which rules were broken?

MR13 (in regards to quarantine of MR contending vessels): In place so you can't modify a  boat prior to the medal race (boats are normally not checked and measured afterwards, since the result announced immediately after the race stands, if no protests goes against it). This is why the RC protested (protest 66), to secure (recertified by the OMC) the croatian boat wasn't modified.

Appendix G. (identification): According to the jury: In place to facilitate identification by media and referees. When the OMC and the RC allowed the boat, knowing it sailed with incorrect identification, is it not prudent to penalize it.

NoR4, SI3 (camera): Deemed to be of no advantage. In the conditions of the medal race, would I agree. The camera sits fairly low, and would lower the center of gravity slightly, which might be as advantageous as not having it would be in light conditions. IOW, one can speculate towards what the camera might do, but it surely didn't make the danes sail fast. The rules states: MAY....