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Now Hear This

by Prentice Cushing

1990

 

Following the Captain Island Race, multiple protests were received against a Kiwi 35 yacht for using trapezes and for stationing crewmembers outside of the lifelines. Rules cited were 62(a) and (b); also the Sailing Instructions (which had no time limit for finishing) and the required equipment list in the YRA-LIS General Sailing Instructions.

 

The skipper of the protested yacht had been advised prior to the start that a protest would be lodged if trapezes were used. The yacht was given a provisional time allowance based on the entry form which stated that trapezes would be used and an estimate of what PHRF rating would be applicable; on corrected time the yacht was nearly an ahead of the next-place finisher.

 

During the hearing photographs were submitted showing discontinuous lifelines and trapezes in use. The skipper displayed a valid PIFRF certificate for the yacht without trapezes and stated that he expected to receive a provisional rating with trapezes for Category C races, similar to ones previously issued to other similar yachts such as the Toucan 35. Minutes of a Long Island Sound PH" committee meeting indicated that this matter would be referred to the National PHRF Committee for a decision.

 

The Protest Committee (P.Cushing, USYRU Certified Senior Judge, Chairman; Dave Knickerbocker; and Hal McLaughlin) found as facts:

 

1) Trapezes were rigged and used with crew outside of the lifelines.

2) This was a Category B race with no time limit, not a Category C race which must have a time limit prior to sunset.

3) Lifelines were not installed as required by the YRA-LIS requirements and the sailing instructions.

 

The yacht was disqualified for violating Rule 62 (b). The Committee did not address some controversial matters which will undoubtedly arise in the future, among them being:

 

a) What is a class? We could not find a definition of a class, except for the dictionary-" a group of things alike in some way."

 

b) Is PHRF a class? The chairman of the National USYRU PHRF Committee was contacted and stated that only "standard racing-cruising yachts" should be rated under PHRF.

 

c) If the local committee issued a certificate to Toucan class yachts, does this mean that trapezes are permitted by "class rules" in the sense of Rule 62 (a) ?

 

d) The protested skipper opined that the "establishment" was against hi-tech advances in sailing and that it was about time that PHRF rules took them into account. Since it is well known that PHRF does not rate catamarans, is it necessary for the PHRF Committee to address other advanced developments in yacht design ?

Comments on controversies: As has happened before, part of the defense was that the Race Committee accepted the entry. This is not a valid defense but always causes controversy. Advice for future Race Committees: if the rating on the entry is not confirmed by YRA or accompanied by a valid certificate, then (1) ask the skipper to furnish an "Undertaking to Produce Certificate" per Rule 19.3 (a); and (2) be sure to mark "P" on the rating list.

 

Of course, controversies in yacht racing are not exactly new! On May 14, 1870, an item in a Flushing paper headlined "Triumph of Douglas's Sappho ; the Favorite of the English Yacht Fleet Vanquished by the Pride and Glory of Little Neck Bay- the Champion sails out of sight of Ashbury's Cambria!" It went on to report that "Little Neck, the abiding place of Mr.Douglas is alive with enthusiasm and his Bayside neighbors dispatched their congratulations as soon as the glad tidings crossed the broad Atlantic. Cannons have thun- dered from Crocheron's shore to wake the echoes in the Douglas mansion across the Bay and flags floated proudly from Fort Schuyler and Willett's Point, within sight of the Champion Yachtsman's country home."

 

But, reported the "Spirit of the Times" in an article datelined London, May 18, "the journals concede the victory of the Sappho but the Press Association said the Cambria should receive the prize because the Sappho should have allowed her five seconds per mile. " A description of the three races followed and the article ended with remarks that "Mr.Ashbury's objection is very frivolous. The reference to the award of the race to Cambria by the Press Association is nonsense; there was to be no time allowance for any race."

 

In any case reported the same paper, "His neigh bors at Douglaston warmly welcomed Mr.William Douglas last Saturday (August 9, 1870) after his brilliant sojourn abroad, winning a famed victory with the yacht Sappho over the Cambria. The flag at the Douglaston depot was raised and the reception was enthusiastic. Residents gathered at nightfall and serenaded Mr. Douglas at the old mansion, marching in torchlight procession with the military band from Willett's Point and Scottish pipers in the van. Refreshments were provided; all were invited to partake. No one had been advised more than an hour previous of Mr. Douglas's expected arrival and everything proved more pleasing for being wholly impromptu. Mr. Douglas has accepted an invitation to Crocheron's Harvest Festival next Thursday, where he will doubtless meet a vast concourse of neighbors and friends and receive their hearty congratulations."

 

Of course, Sappho went on to win the America's Cup the following year and returned to Europe later with more controversy - stay tuned and see next issue!