Protest Hearings

Notice of Protest Hearings

Dave O’Donnell Memorial Regatta, 2020

The protest hearings for Dave O’Donnell Memorial Regatta #2: Ripple vs. Harmony and Windswept vs. Harmony will be held via video conference this Wednesday, June 24, beginning at 7:00 pm. Contact Steve Nelson for the meeting link.

Protest Committee Members are needed! Knowledge of the rules is helpful, but not necessary. You will need a copy of the Racing Rules of Sailing. Contact Steve for information or to volunteer.

Please be reminded that the sailing club encourages racing protests and regards them primarily as learning opportunities for all members of the racing fleet. Spectators are welcome and encouraged, but must remain on mute during the proceedings.

Fall Series #1, 2017

The protest hearing for Fall Series #1: Chief Oshkosh vs. Salacia will be held during the beer can post-race party, Friday, August 18, on the peninsula (unless the party must be rescheduled or relocated).

Summer Series #5, 2017

The redress request hearing for Summer Series #5: Irish Temper vs. Savannah Rose will be held during the beer can post-race party, Friday, September 8, on the peninsula (unless the party must be rescheduled or relocated).

Please contact the Protest Committee on the Contact Us page if you would like to serve as a committee member for hearings.

St. Croix Sailing Club encourages racing protests and regards them primarily as learning opportunities for all members of the racing fleet.

2017 Protest Hearing Results: Summer 5 – Irish Temper vs Savannah Rose

Protest Form

Hearing Details

Irish Temper represented by: Linda O’Donnell
Savannah Rose represented by: Jon Morris (Written testimony)
Witnesses: William Oster
No objection about interested party: Check
Written protest or request identifies incident: Check
“Protest” hailed at first reasonable opportunity: Check
Protest valid; hearing will continue: Check

Facts Found

Savannah Rose hit Irish Temper from astern and completed a penalty turn immediately afterward.

Irish Temper withdrew protest and requested redress of four minutes

Damage to Irish Temper was insubstantial in that it did not impede Irish Temper’s progress. Linda O’Donnell stated that there was “no damage that would stop us from the race.”

Diagram of boat Chief Oshkosh is endorsed by committee: Check

Conclusions and rules that apply:

Rule 62.1(b)

Case 110 cited: “Under rule 62.1(b) the damage itself must be the reason a boat’s score or place is made significantly worse.”

Decision

Request for redress is denied.

Protest Committee: Steve Nelson, Brad Lahr, Ken Tennant, Rick Hughes

Chairman: Steve Nelson

2017 Protest Hearing Results: Fall 1 – Chief Oshkosh vs Salacia

Protest Form

Hearing Details

Chief Oshkosh represented by: Brad Lahr
Salacia represented by: Dan Prochaska
Witnesses: Rick Hughes, Steve Nelson
No objection about interested party: Check
Written protest or request identifies incident: Check
“Protest” hailed at first reasonable opportunity: Check
Red flag conspicuously displayed at first reasonable opportunity: Check (Remarks: There was some discussion about the timing and display location of the flag; committee determined to accept both and proceed.)
Protest valid; hearing will continue: Check

Facts Found

Salacia tacked first into zone by 1-2 boat lengths
Salacia was on port tacking to starboard within the zone
Chief Oshkosh was fetching the mark on a close-hauled tack
Boats were both at six to seven knots boat speed
Salacia tacked ahead of Chief Oshkosh inside the zone
Four to five foot distance between the boats during Salacia’s tack
Chief Oshkosh turned upwind during Salacia’s tack and then turned back down
Nobody observed luffing in Chief Oshkosh’s sails during upwind turn
Chief Oshkosh did not lose significant speed during the incident

Diagram of boat Chief Oshkosh is endorsed by committee: Check

Conclusions and rules that apply

Rule 18.3: Chief Oshkosh was forced to go above close-hauled. Boats were at six to seven knots boat speed (10-12 feet per second) and only between four and five feet apart. Evasive action on the part of Chief Oshkosh was reasonable. Salacia faulted Chief Oshkosh according to Rule 18.3.

Decision

Protested Boat Salacia is disqualified from race

Protest Committee: Felix Bierbaum, Aron Buchanan, John Provos, John Turbes

Chairman: Steve Nelson