7:42 PM: A five-person panel ruled today that the America’s Cup regatta director cannot unilaterally make rule changes, upholding appeals by two teams who opposed a proposal to modify rudders on the 72-foot vessels being used in the sailing races.
The America’s Cup International Jury, which resolves disputes over rules for the races, issued the ruling today in favor of Luna Rossa Challenge and Emirates Team New Zealand, the two teams that had filed the appeal.
The jury decided that the rule change recommended by regatta director Iain Murray to increase the size and weight of rudder winglets must be withdrawn because not all of the teams agreed to it.
The proposal was among 37 recommendations made by Murray following the May 9 death of Sweden-based Artemis Racing crewmember Andrew “Bart” Simpson when the team’s boat capsized during a practice run on the Bay.
Luna Rossa officials had argued that the rudder changes did not have anything to do with safety since they only served to increase the speed of the boats.
America’s Cup officials said racing will continue with only voluntary compliance required for the new rules.
Because of the appeal, Luna Rossa sat out Sunday’s opening race of the Louis Vuitton Cup, a series of races between the three challengers to Oracle Team USA for the America’s Cup. Their opponent, Emirates Team New Zealand, won the uncontested race that day.
Luna Rossa participated in its first race of the regatta today, also winning uncontested because the team’s opponent, Artemis Racing, is sitting out the competition until at least later this month while making repairs to the boat damaged in the May 9 tragedy.
The first Louis Vuitton Cup race between two boats on the Bay is scheduled for Saturday when Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa face off.
1:25 PM: A five-person panel issued a ruling today upholding an appeal by two teams in the America’s Cup sailing races who argued that the regatta’s director could not unilaterally make certain rule changes.
The America’s Cup International Jury issued the ruling in favor of Luna Rossa Challenge and Emirates Team New Zealand, the two teams that filed the appeal in response to a proposal to modify rudders on the AC-72 vessels being used in the races.
The jury ruled that the rule change recommended by regatta director Iain Murray must be withdrawn because not all of the teams agreed to it.
The proposal was among 37 recommendations made by Murray following the May 9 death of Sweden-based Artemis Racing crewmember Andrew “Bart” Simpson when the team’s boat capsized during a practice run.
The Louis Vuitton Cup, a series of races between the three challengers to Oracle Team USA for the America’s Cup, began Sunday but Luna Rossa Challenge sat out the opening race against the New Zealand team because of the rudder dispute.
Luna Rossa officials posted on the team’s website today that the team plans to return to the regatta.
America’s Cup organizers said Luna Rossa is participating in its first race today for the Louis Vuitton Cup. However, the team’s opponent, Artemis Racing, is sitting out the competition until at least later this month while making repairs to its boat, which was damaged in the May 9 tragedy.
Dan McMenamin, Bay City News
