Investec LOYAL's thrilling Sydney to Hobart line honours win
is under threat after its crew was accused of using an ABC
helicopter pilot to spy on rival Wild Oats XI.
The race committee, and not the runner-up, has lodged a
protest against the stunning victory - the fourth closest in
race history - under a rule which polices outside assistance
to boats.
LOYAL was on Wednesday night declared the provisional winner
after its captain Anthony Bell was handed the protest
documents on crossing the finish line in Hobart.
But the news, delivered by Cruising Yacht Club of Australia
Commodore Garry Linacre, stunned the thousands lining the
shore around Constitution dock as LOYAL lingered for close to
an hour before docking.
A hearing will take place at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania
at 10am (AEDT) on Thursday.
The race committee, chaired by Tim Cox, alleges the incident
occurred at 6.30am on Tuesday, 30 nautical miles south of
Merimbula on the NSW south coast.
The protest papers described the incident as: "Audio
recording of conversation between ABC helicopter and Investec
LOYAL.
"Crewman from Investec LOYAL seeking information from the
helicopter of the sail plan in use on Wild Oats XI.
"In particular, information as to whether Wild Oats XI was
flying a trysail."
Linacre said the helicopter pilot would be a witness at the
hearing, to be heard by an international panel, and if the
protest was upheld the sanctions could include time penalties
and even disqualification.
Bell attempted to explain the situation on reaching the
shore, saying it was a misunderstanding involving an ABC
interview with crewman Michael Coxon, who is also the chief
executive of a company that supplies the sails to Wild Oats.
"It was the ABC who actually asked for the interview off us,
it wasn't actually the other way round," Bell said.
"It was just a question by Michael saying, `oh geez, are they
all right and I hope they haven't broken their mainsail'.
"These things cost a quarter-of-a-million dollars and of
course he would be concerned as to his business reputation."
Bell said he was confident the victory would be confirmed by
the panel.
"Michael (Coxon) is probably one of Australia's most
decorated yachtsman and he's never had a skerrick in his
whole career of any protest for improper behaviour," he said.
"It is a bit anti-climactic.
"One thing that can't be taken away from us, no matter what
happens, no matter what's said, is we sailed one hell of a
race out there."
LOYAL fought off a thrilling, last-ditch attacking onslaught
from Wild Oats on the Derwent River to claim what would have
been a first line honours victory for the boat.
Still eyeballing each other as they hit the river, LOYAL saw
off some desperate manoeuvring from the five-time winner and
race record holder to cross the finish line at 7.14pm (AEDT).
In one of the tightest finishes in the race's history, LOYAL
won with a margin of 3 minutes 8 seconds in a time of 2 days,
6 hours, 14 minutes and 18 seconds.
The ABC posted audio of the conversation between Coxon and
its helicopter crew on its website.
Coxon is heard to say: "Can you confirm, does Wild Oats have
their trysail up? ... What colour is the mainsail they've got
up?"
He is answered that both sails are grey and replies: "Copy
that. That's great news. Thanks, bye."
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