Protest Lost

[Lookout]

We found out today that we lost a protest from a race on May 25, 2013

I found out today the nature of the protest, as we were never told that a racer, who had retired from the race protested the committee boat decision to offer us redress in +30 knot winds as the last boat left racing. They granted us third place.

The redress was asked, for two weeks after the race, had retired.

So from what I see it I need to find out what rules the club is following and what they are ignoring from the IRR
- time limit
- paperwork
- informing the protestee as soon as possible after the race (we found out two weeks after the race)
- informing us of the protest committee members
- asking for redress to affect our racers boats score
- protesting the committee boat actions
- hiding the protest committee from us (the RD would not tell us who was on the committee so we had to ask around the club for a week to find out who to send our protest response to.

It is even dummer as the club is currently putting together a Code of Conduct that binds the club to follow the IRR.

Frustrating, perhaps we need to slow our boat down and let them win a few races.

I think they object to being beaten by a women.

Would love your comments.

 

[Rick D]

Reasonableness

A recent race, very publicized in SoCal, ran out of time to finish for over half of the boats and all six in non-spin. The race committee made the decision to ignore the time limit for those boats which still wanted to finish but needed more time. They stayed on station until all finished. One of the non-spin boats we were chasing was an all gal boat. They gave them first. Those of us in the class who dropped out because we calculated we could not finish before the limit cheered them on and congradulated them as did folks in the other classes who were in the same situation. I guess the point is that the committee did indeed deviate from their sailing instructions, but the spirit in doing so was good and the race participants generally applauded, or at least didn't protest their decision. This, in spirit, seems to contrast with what you experienced.

 

[kloudie1]

Remember it is a game ! The sun will still rise tomorrow regardless of the donkeys (or more likely, jackasses) you have running that show.. Sounds like you may be one of the new guys (or girls) on the block and the "good old boys" couldn't come to grips that you'd handled the situation well and continued to actually sail safely when they'd thrown in the towel.. Too bad for them. I say press on, but they will pull something like that again.. take it with several grains of salt and a tequila shot :~) and soon they may actually recognize you.. or go play somewhere else..

 

[Stu Jackson]

We were beaten in a "once-a-year" "important bragging rights" and "name on the perpetual trophy" race last year. We lost because in light wind one of our competitors had a crew member use a broom stick to hold out his jib on a downwind leg, which by our rules is clearly NOT allowed. He won by comping in first even after the slight PHRF was calculated.

I enjoyed his enthusiasm and happiness at winning his first big race. I simply kept my mouth shut and applauded his victory. Maybe next year I'll slip something in when we're having a beer together. Not a big deal.

Your guys, on the other hand, seem like a bunch of childish and/or nasty politicians who probably eat their kids for lunch.

YOU know you won. YOU know who the *********s really are. They will never get over it, and that kinds of behavior almost can never be changed. Kinda like the War Room on this 'site.

Two choices: swallow it, or if you can't beat 'em, join 'em and get on the Race Committee, NOT to get back at them, but to show how things can be done HONESTLY.

Good luck (seriously, not "good luck with that! kinda statement).

And, think of this: YOU sailed a great race. I personally don't know how people like that can live with themselves, but they probably don't know.

Be glad of ONE very important thing: you ain't married to one of those ba$tards.

All the best.

 

[Richard Bryer]

I have been racing for 20 years now on Lake Ont out of the National Yacht Club. We are fortunate in having 2 VERY expert Olympic level judges on our protest committee. This type of nonsense would never be tolerated. The rules of racing and protest committees were designed to provide a way of getting impartial, expert rulings on those occasions where there is room for argument in the interpretation of the rules.

I would be very tempted to contact Sail Canada which is the body that is responsible for managing the ISAF rules in Canada. You can contact them at sailcanada@sailing.ca. I believe they are in Kingston. Protest committee decisions can be appealed to this higher authority. Sounds like it would serve these pretenders right to be dragged up in front of a real protest committee.
I have a real problem with people who want to wear the hats of authority but don't want to take the trouble to learn the rules as the are supposed to be enforced

 

[finding41]

I have been racing for 20 years now on Lake Ont out of the National Yacht Club. We are fortunate in having 2 VERY expert Olympic level judges on our protest committee. This type of nonsense would never be tolerated. The rules of racing and protest committees were designed to provide a way of getting impartial, expert rulings on those occasions where there is room for argument in the interpretation of the rules.

I would be very tempted to contact Sail Canada which is the body that is responsible for managing the ISAF rules in Canada. You can contact them at sailcanada@sailing.ca. I believe they are in Kingston. Protest committee decisions can be appealed to this higher authority. Sounds like it would serve these pretenders right to be dragged up in front of a real protest committee.
I have a real problem with people who want to wear the hats of authority but don't want to take the trouble to learn the rules as the are supposed to be enforced

Here here!
link of interest. http://www.sailing.org/documents/racing-rules.php

 

[356_Steve]

I agree with Richard. We as sailors inforce our own rules, and if we do not do that, we all loose. Apply for redress to the same protest committee for not notifying you as an interested part (your standing was changed), and then appeal to a higher authority.

What they did is not right, and they should be called to account.

 

[Lookout]

I thanks for your comments, yesterday we did three races and we won them all, I have made a list of 8 errors that occurred during the protest including, time limit, paperwork, and redress which they truly don't understand. I have offered to be RD next year but don't think the old boys will stand for that. I will post again when and I have actually seen the protest decision and let you guys poke holes in it for me. At this point I have only been told that we are DNF and I have know idea how they did it. Sandra

 

[Lookout]

I am finding it difficult to get a look at the protest decision. I was promised this a week ago.
I told the protest committee that I would have no problem with the DNF if it worked with the SI and the IRR.
His responds was, we are not paid employees.
I don't think a written protest decision even exists.

Good thing I beat them in three races on Sunday.
I will ask again tomorrow and on Friday I will let them know that I know the paperwork does not exist.