With just days to the restart of the McIntyre Ocean Globe, race leader Translated 9 has been issued a total of 172 hours of time penalties associated with sending three sails to a sailmaker for repair, without approval and without any notice. This is not allowed under the Notice of Race unless specific processes are followed and advance notice and approvals are given.
In this instance, no OGR approvals were given to Translated 9 to remove sails for repair, say the organisers. When all entrants were asked later by the organiser if sails were delivered to a sailmaker for repairs, a declaration was provided by the captain of Translated 9, clearly stating they had not been removed and were onboard the boat. In fact, the sails had been removed three days before the captain's declaration was received.
On investigation, after the declaration was received, the organisers says it was proven that three sails were sent to a sailmaker by the captain of Translated 9 before the declaration. OGR immediately commenced an enquiry. A statement by the OGR says the captain admitted the declaration he supplied was wrong and that at the time he supplied the declaration, he was aware sails were at the sail maker.
On that basis, a total of 72 hours penalties were applied for the three sails sent without the authority or knowledge of the OGR. A further 100-hour penalty was applied for the supply of a wrong declaration when asked. As the captain acted against team orders and the direct instructions of the team manager and owner, and without their knowledge, this 100-hr penalty was suspended, subject to the entry not breaching any further NOR rules.
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