Please select your home edition
Edition
Doyle_SailWorld_728X90px_GP TOP

America's Cup- The truth takes time to emerge

by Bob Fisher on 17 Aug 2013
Oracle Racing Coutts - AC45 - the fleet race of the AC World Series day 4, Plymouth, UK. Chris Schmid/ Eyemage Media (copyright) http://www.eyemage.ch

It wasn’t until Friday that the Measurement Committee issued some of its findings. These contradicted earlier reports that all three of Oracle Team USA’s AC-45s had been modified out of class. All three had been withdrawn from races in the series and the results were being re-processed.

Now it appears that No. 5, the boat named Oracle Racing – Coutts, had not been tampered with at all. The weight of the forward kingpost, that many refer to as the dolphin striker, was 0.002 kg more than the standard. Oracle Racing – Spithill – boat No. 4 – was 0.248 kg in excess, while the BAR boat was wildly out. Her dolphin striker was 2.328 kg too heavy.

The main kingpost – the one immediately under the mast – of the BAR boat was not weighed, but the one from the Coutts boat, which showed signs of some legitimate repair, was 0.364 kg too heavy and that of Spithill’s boat was 1.522 kgs in excess.

When the upper fitting of the kingpost on Spithill’s boat was removed, a plastic bag was uncovered that contained granular ferrous material. That was definitely placed with intent to alter the boat’s performance. Otherwise the other anomalies were considered within normal limits.

Boat No. 5 – Oracle Team – Coutts is to be reinstated in the ACWS and that will show in the re-scoring that is currently underway. (S-W understands that Oracle Team USA will apply to the Regatta Director/International Jury to be re-instated from the events from which they withdrew.)

Such confusion that arose, the Measurement Committee maintains, was due to bad communication or a misunderstanding on its part on previous statements made by ACRM boatbuilder, Glyn Davies, which had been misinterpreted. Such confusion arose because of the nomenclature of both of the structures being referred to as 'kingposts' without further specification.
Doyle_SailWorld_728X90px_cruise BOTTOMC-Tech 2020 Battens 2 728x90 BOTTOMSea Sure 2025

Related Articles

Sailing's Glitterati prepare for the Admiral's Cup
The depth and quality of talent is truly breathtaking. The 2025 Admiral's Cup is shaping up to be one of the most compelling editions in the event's storied history, featuring a glittering constellation of the sport's elite.
Posted today at 9:55 am
British Dragon South West Championship
A spectacular warm-up for the 2025 Edinburgh Cup Torquay delivered a spectacular warm-up for the 2025 Edinburgh Cup, as 13 Dragon teams took to the waters of Tor Bay for the South West Championship, a two-day regatta packed with shifting breezes, tactical gambles, and top-class racing.
Posted today at 8:59 am
Foiling Sport Congress gathers global players
To shape the Future of Foiling Last week, Malcesine hosted the first-ever Foiling Sport Congress — a by-invitation event organised to foster an in-depth discussion on the current state and future developments of foiling across all disciplines.
Posted today at 5:59 am
Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup Day 3
The best female wave sailors in the world showcase their skills on the global stage After the men had taken centre stage for the opening two days of the 2025 Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup, today was the day for the best female wave sailors in the world to showcase their skills on the global stage.
Posted today at 4:11 am
Transpac Onboard Episode 4
Anything Can Happen at Sea All Transpac 2025 competitors are now at sea and actively racing to Hawaii. We take a look at the Pasha Live Race Tracker and talk about the significant wind hole confronting a contingent of competitors.
Posted today at 3:06 am
Stops & re-starts in first two legs of AEGEAN 600
A tough first night and early morning spent fighting zephyrs getting through the Cyclades After a beautiful breezy start yesterday, but a tough first night and early morning spent fighting zephyrs getting through the Cyclades, at the end of today's daylight the AEGEAN 600 fleet is back on the move.
Posted on 7 Jul
Marblehead to Halifax Race Update
The front-runners are pushing hard toward the finish After nearly 24 hours at sea, the front-runners of the Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race are pushing hard toward the finish. Temptation/Oakcliff leads the fleet in both elapsed and corrected time, with Boudicca – Gill Race Team close behind.
Posted on 7 Jul
British Classic Week Day 1
Northerly winds gusting 22 knots make for a brisk start Day one at British Classic Week in Cowes saw fast-paced racing around the cans sponsored by Spirit Yachts for over 50 classic and modern classic yachts.
Posted on 7 Jul
International Moth Worlds Opening Ceremony
137 sailors from 25 nations have gathered, featuring some of the biggest names in sailing After weeks of preparation and an intense lead-up, the 2025 Moth World Championship is ready to get under way. Official racing begins tomorrow, 8 July, on the waters of Lake Garda, with the event hosted by Fraglia Vela Malcesine.
Posted on 7 Jul
iQFOiL Worlds a Aarhus day 2
No racing, but spirits stay high in Aarhus Day 2 of the iQFOiL World Championship in Aarhus tested the patience of sailors, coaches, and the Race Committee alike, as the wind refused to settle across the bay.
Posted on 7 Jul