ROLEX SYDNEY HOBART YACHT RACE
2015
Protest No: 2 and 3 Hearing held at CYCA on the 27th December 2015
Protest: COUGAR II 5200 v LUPA of LONDON GBR 23N
LUPA of LONDON GBR 23N v COUGAR II 5200
FACTS FOUND:
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As both protests relate to the same incident they were heard together with the consent of both parties.
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Lupa of London was close hauled on starboard tack with Indian AUS 47 very closely overlapped to weather and Concubine YC45 very close overlapped to leeward.
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Lupa of London was bigger than the overlapped boats and travelling up to 2 knots faster.
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Cougar II had tacked on the exclusion zone boundary and was sailing close hauled on port tack for 30 – 60 seconds. She was confident of crossing the three starboard tack boats in a tight cross.
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A collision occurred between the prod of Lupa of London and the starboard aft quarter of Cougar II resulting in damage to both boats.
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Both boats retired from the race.
CONCLUSIONS:
1. Cougar II a port tack boat failed to keep clear of Lupa of London a starboard tack boat.
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It was not reasonably possible for Lupa of London to avoid contact with Cougar II.
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There was room for Cougar II to have tacked before the collision.
RULES THAT APPLY
RRS: 10, 14, 64.1(b) and the definition ‘Keep Clear’
Yachting Australia prescription to RRS 67
ISAF Cases 99 and 50 refer
DECISION:
As both boats retired from the race for whatever reason no further penalty can be applied.
International Jury
John Rountree (Chairman), John Kirkjian, Russell Green, Selvam Mookken, Tony Mooney
